I have a 5.1 channel set up (Classe SSP-800/CA-5200) and am considering creating a 2-ch setup within it. My motivation is to achieve the optimal listening environment since I use my system 95% for 2-ch listening. I am considering a new 2-ch DAC (currently using Ayre DX-5; am auditioning Berkeley Ref, Wavelength Crimson and Luxman DA-06) but that is not the point of my post. My question is whether it makes sense to add a new amp and possibly a pre-amp via HT bypass to create a true 2-ch system. Alternatively, I can install the new 2-ch DAC with a switch so that the front R/L channels simply feed back into my Classe CA-5200 M-ch amp. I am considering the Ayre amps and/or integrated (VX-R, AX-5/VX-5), Hegel separates (P30/H30) Constellation Inspiration 1.0, VTL TL5.5, Dan D'Agostino Momentum and possibly others. Source is primarily Redbook/HiRes files via Aurender S10 and speakers are Franco Serblin Ktema.
My questions are: How much could I expect to gain by creating this 2-ch environment? Would the Ayre, Hegel, Constellation, VTL and/or D'Agostino represent enough of a SQ upgrade to be worth the investment?
Thanks for your thoughts,
Rick
I have a 5.1 channel set up (Classe SSP-800/CA-5200) and am considering creating a 2-ch setup within it. My motivation is to achieve the optimal listening environment since I use my system 95% for 2-ch listening. I am considering a new 2-ch DAC (currently using Ayre DX-5; am auditioning Berkeley Ref, Wavelength Crimson and Luxman DA-06) but that is not the point of my post. My question is whether it makes sense to add a new amp and possibly a pre-amp via HT bypass to create a true 2-ch system. Alternatively, I can install the new 2-ch DAC with a switch so that the front R/L channels simply feed back into my Classe CA-5200 M-ch amp. I am considering the Ayre amps and/or integrated (VX-R, AX-5/VX-5), Hegel separates (P30/H30) Constellation Inspiration 1.0, VTL TL5.5, Dan D'Agostino Momentum and possibly others. Source is primarily Redbook/HiRes files via Aurender S10 and speakers are Franco Serblin Ktema.
My questions are: How much could I expect to gain by creating this 2-ch environment? Would the Ayre, Hegel, Constellation, VTL and/or D'Agostino represent enough of a SQ upgrade to be worth the investment?
Thanks for your thoughts,
Rick