How to setup a 5.1 while retaining ability to play pristine stereo?

[superczar]

My current Stereo setup consists of a Reference grade Marantz PM-17 amplifier and a pair of Phase Tech Velocity V-12 floorstanders

It is a fairly good system with a brilliant amp and fairly capable speakers

the phase techs are fairly massive 40 Lb speakers (each) with a good frequency response ... (The Velocity is a critically acclaimed line, and the V12 are the highest grade speakers within the series)

The Marantz PM-17 is again a brilliant amp and I really love the way the setup currently sounds.

here is a pic of the setup


Now here lies the hitch:

The lady wants a 5.1 setup for movies!

Possible Options

A- Sell the amp and speakers, then get hold of something like a Crystal audio thx-3d12 and a mid-end 5.1 receiver

B- Retain the front speakers, sell the amp and get matching centers, surround and sub and get a mid-end 5.1 receiver

C- Retain both the amp and speakers, get a sub, surround and center and get a low-mid end 5.1 receiver
Then Feed the integrated amp with the front line out of the receiver while driving the surround, center and sub with the receiver

Each options has some pros and cons I can think of

A- I get a properly matched setup but the new setup will not perform as well on stereo as the existing one

B- I am not sure if I will be able to match the new speakers properly with the existing one..I also lose out on a brilliant amp

C- I get to retain my stereo setup as is but the cost goes up and also the question of matching the new speakers remains an issue..Also, I am not sure how many 5.1 receivers will provide for separate line-outs for each channel (though most should..isn't it?)

Expert advice and suggestions solicited

 

[j_garcia]

I'd go with C. Most decent receivers will provide preamp outs for all channels. If your focus is stereo music, then by all means, keep the system geared that way and DON'T GET RID OF THAT AMP! I built my system around 2ch performance too, and that drove everything else... I chose my speakers based on stereo listening and once I settled on them, everything else fell into place. (My speakers are bookshelf and they weigh in at 38lbs each )

You can then use the amp with a direct feed from any sources that you want to retain for stereo only, bypassing the receiver.

 

[Duffinator]

C. I too optimize my system for music first and would recommend keeping the amp. You could always sell your speakers and buy a whole speaker setup if you can't match them but I'm sure you will come up with something close. A nice sub can enhance your speakers in 2 channel mode just as much as it can for matching movies. Spend plenty of time researching the sub component before making you selection.

 

[Highbar]

I vote D. Keep the stereo setup as is and get everything new. That way there is no worry of matching the speakers and you're only buying 2 more speakers then you would with C. 5 good bookshelf speakers make for great HT use.

T

 

[fmw]

B is the one I would do (and have done.)

 

[superczar]

Thanks folks...

I personally am veering towards C

and I would guess the order of importance would then be sub>Center>> surrounds

As for the AVR, since the sub would be active, I am guessing the surround/center will not need much power to be driven...

add to it the fact that since my source is setup around a HTPC thereby eliminating the need for any postprocessing at the AVR level, so I suppose I can economize on the AVR if I opt for C

This way, the fronts contiue to be driven by the Marantz PM17
the sub is self powered
the center/surrounds are driven off a low power AVR
The input processing gets handled by the HTPC

Does the above make sense or do you see a flaw in my reasoning?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Another vote for C: Keep the amp + speakers if you love the current Stereo Music sound.

Stereo Music is more difficult to attain compared to Movies. So I would build everything around the 2-Ch music setup.

 

[mtrycrafts]

C sounds good but be careful feeding a pre out back into another preamp, unless that Marantz has an amp input.
Then, everyone is happy there.

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, all the Marantz integrateds have main amp inputs.

 

[landonspop]

I say C.

After you get your 5.1 working, look for your favorite artists on DVD music in 5.1 for a new experience.

 

[3db]

My 1st choice would be option C if you can find a matching center channel. Matching the surrounds only becomes important if you plan on playing multichannel audio such as SACD or DVD-A. If this additional setup is exclusively for HT, your only worry will be the center channel. That being said, you may not even need a center channel if your current speakers to a good job with imaging and throwing out a good soundstage. If going option C, I'd take a look at Yamaha. You won't need the power of an Onkyo or Pioneer ELite receiver when driving the surround and center channels.

NAD makes some hard driving very musical HT receivers that would work very well with 2 channel reproduction if you choose to go with Option B. Although, they lack in features when compared to the other HT receivers, they make up for in robustness of the amp/powersupply section. They are more expensive as a result of this but I think are worth the money. If I had the money, I'd snatch up a NAD and never look back.