Video Asylum

Posted by ctbarker32 (A) on April 21, 2005 at 16:05:42

In Reply to: High end 2 channel and HT combined, can I do it? posted by Atver on April 21, 2005 at 09:32:06:

I use a McCormack MAP-1 preamp. I feel this is an obscelence proof way to do quality 2 channel and 5.1 surround. I use the decoder built into my CD/DVD player to provide surround decoding. I run stereo channel to McCormack DNA amp to Martin Logan Aerius i's. Center and surround channels go to three Outlaw 200 monoblocks. Center channel speaker is Martin Logan Cinema. Surround speakers are Sound Design dipole wall mounts. The MAP-1 has an ARM (Ambience Recovery Mode) circuit that does a great job of pulling out of phase surround sound and directing it to rear channels. It also directs mono sound to center channel for dialog. Pretty similar to the results of Dolby Pro II but I believe it is all done in the analog domain. The Outlaw amps have triggers so they go into standby when there's no signal. This is great when I'm in pure two channnel mode and want all other components shutdown. I'm very pleased with this setup.

-CB