I understand that of course. I also understand that true stereo which doesn't feed a center channel is much better at creating the soundstage because not all vocals come from front center stage, not all drums are placed center rear and I rather enjoy the sax from right rear, keyboards left front, bongos right front, etc. With classical music recorded well we get first violin, brass, woodwind, percussion, etc all coming from where they should if I were sitting in the audience during a live performance. Or surprisingly close to it.
As an example when I first installed my updated system late last year one of the first recordings I played was Bruce Springsteen's song "Tunnel Of Love" in 2.1 stereo. Perhaps a particularly well done recording in terms of staging, the placement of the various instruments and singers is so incredible that I still use that as a demo for my system.
We get really well defined staging this way, and I consider it to be part of the performance as the team who made the recording intended.
Each listener may prefer something else out of it. It's clear your preference is wrap-around sound. Continue to enjoy it, I won't try to sway you.
