MCH can be worthwhile but ....

Posted by John C. - Aussie (A) on December 10, 2006 at 16:29:37

In Reply to: Tell me, is it really worth the expense to MCH posted by Penguin on December 10, 2006 at 15:39:24:

... considerations such as the budget and practicability (room wise) can make it unattractive.

We have a combined audio-video system so it gets used daily. Although enjoying good movies (not the spectacular Hollywood genre) most of our video viewing is of documentaries and they can have impressive sound tracks. And of course ballet, opera etc benefits from a goods sound system.

Back to audio only, most of the collection here is on CD with a growing list of SACDs and a very few DVD-As. We use a Meridian 861 processor and this very effectively synthesises subtle ambient surround sound from 2 track material. The main L/R signal goes direct to a modded Benchmark DAC1 digital -> analog processor -> preamp -> main amps & speakers. A secondary output from the preamp -> Meridian 861 -> centre, side, rear & sub amps & speakers for the surround affect.

The levels of the main cf surround feeds can be independently controlled so the surround is subtle and not overwhelming. [Some of the surround sound DVD-As I've heard are dreadful in this respect as the surround sound dominates - YUK].

All visitors have commented on the collapse of ther sound field if that synthesised surround is turned off. It really does add to musical enjoyment.

So, finally to the SACDs. They are another further advance as, well recorded, as most are, the clarity is further improved and the surround ambient channels can be highly effective.

But, I would not recommend MC for SACD only, mainly because the cataog is rather restricted compared to what is available on CD. But yes, recommended if you have a good processor that can give a good surround sound field from 2CH. But that is a catch 22 as there are some awful processors out there that really hack up the sound if a "surround" mode is used on 2CH.

And on speakers, the selection of matching speakers, particularly the centre channel, can be difficult. In my early experiments I tried using a cheapie centre speaker and the result was awful. So that immediately poses a challenge for anyone who has spent hard earned dollars on good L/R mains. We also use side speakers here - not exactly the same as the L/R and centre units, but they are electrostaics and match in well. Same with the rears.

Trust this has not been too long winded and has answered your query.

John

Do not criticise the idiots in this world - we need them as they make the rest of us look so much better :-)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Mahler 6 with the BPO cond. ABBADO - Wow!!!!! - John C. - Aussie 22:10:47 12/09/06 (13)

BPO cond. ABBADO - personal experience - Luciano,IT 01:51:11 12/12/06 (0)

I was also impressed, but... - sser2 13:41:41 12/11/06 (1)

Horenstein's M6... - M. Lucky 11:21:08 12/12/06 (0)

I was pretty impressed, too... - M. Lucky 09:14:05 12/11/06 (1)

Yeah - Kal Rubinson 18:22:22 12/11/06 (0)

His Third with the VPO is very good, too. Whoda thunk it? nt - markrohr 03:55:19 12/11/06 (0)

Tell me, is it really worth the expense to MCH - Penguin 15:39:24 12/10/06 (5)

I did it, it was fun... - jdaniel 09:01:01 12/11/06 (1)

I have a universal player - Penguin 17:23:59 12/11/06 (0)

MCH can be worthwhile but .... - John C. - Aussie 16:29:37 12/10/06 (2)

I know you got the front L/R unheard :-) - Penguin 17:37:49 12/10/06 (1)

You can always add a sub later - John C. - Aussie 19:41:42 12/10/06 (0)

Abbado's Fifth (available on SACD) is pretty good, too. (nt) - C.B. 07:48:14 12/10/06 (0)

Follow Ups

MCH can be worthwhile but .... - John C. - Aussie 16:29:37 12/10/06 (2)

I know you got the front L/R unheard :-) - Penguin 17:37:49 12/10/06 (1)

You can always add a sub later - John C. - Aussie 19:41:42 12/10/06 (0)

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