2.1 home theater/music receiver

[Lordoftherings]

I appreciate this information because I need to use a 5.1 receiver in a 2.1 configuration due to room size limitations. Do most 5.1 receivers work as your Pioneer in a 2.1 set-up? If so, are the channels mixed down from 5.1 to 2.1, or do you lose 3 channels? If they're mixed down, is the audio converted into virtual surround like Dolby Virtual Speaker or some other simulated surround sound?

Thanks.

Hi Frank, and Welcome to Audioholics.

No sweat Franklin, any receiver will downconverted 5.1-channel into 2.1-channel. And yes, it is indeed a mixed down audio into 2.1 from 5.1.
It is not a specific audio mode like Dolby Virtual or any type of Simulated Surround Sound, it is only a straight audio Downmix from a 5.1-channel (or 7.1-channel) audio codec to a 2.1-channel audio mode.

And you can use any audio mode that you wish on top of that.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Franklin]

That's great, I didn't know that. I assumed that specific channels could only be heard if the appropriate speakers were connected. Thanks.

 

[Miltcharlie]

3.1 system

Hey

I have a 2ch CA 540A (pre-amp).
Which is used like U want 50/50 audio-video.
If you want to enjoy DVD's you will need a center ch.

The CA 540D (DVD player) does all the processing since it is 5.1.
Inorder to use the center ch I had to add a external amp.

This is what I got. There are other such amps like this out there. U will just have to search 4 them.
Here is a review:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trends/ta10.html

I really enjoy this amp. It has the clean power that I need.
Here is my pic: