Like many here my main listening area is also used for home theater. I go back and forth between using two channel stereo, multichannel stereo, and Dolby Neo6 for music playback. Results seem to vary album to album.
Just curious on the experience of others.
My experience is bass is less with multichannel stereo, but, on many tracks, it is more enjoyable/immersing. I have a 9.2.4 system. Dolby Neo6 does enhance the stereo experience while maintaining the 2 channel feel, mainly because the vocals come from the front
I had the Yamaha RX-V3800 for many years for home Theater and music playback with Cd’s/SACDs using an OPPO disc player. I only had a 5.1 speaker setup at the time. The Yamaha was eventually replaced with the Denon AVR-X8500H using a 7.2.4 speaker arrangement.
Currently the NUC/Rock is connected to the Denon receiver via HDMI for Stereo and Multichannel PCM playback. For simulated surround sound from a Stereo source I use the Dolby Surround processor instead of the all channel Stereo option. That may be similar to the Dolby Neo6. Not sure since I don’t have that option on the Denon.
I’m assuming the vocals coming from the front you mentioned is due to the center channel being added to the mix instead of Stereo imaging.
I like this setup because I don’t have to make any changes to the receiver with the Dolby option selected. If the incoming signal is Stereo the Dolby surround kicks in, while Multi-channel tracks are played as is. Haven’t really noticed any difference in the bass output.
I have two Denon-based home theater setups, a 7.2.4 and a 5.1.2. I have Dirac tuning for the second and Audyssey for the first. I prefer the effect of the Dolby mode for music listening in these rooms. The simulated multi-channel reminds me of old music halls with underdamped surfaces, but with all the modes managed by my room treatments and room tuning. I don’t use subwoofers with my two-channel systems, so when I occasionally dive into alternative and even alt-rap, alt-metal, etc. in the HT rooms the subs create a very physical experience.
I’m a proponent of trying all features. It keeps the hobby interesting.
--------- Forwarded message ----------
I think I got my terminology wrong. I use Dolby Music, used to be called Pro Logic II, then Prologic IIx. I suspect they just call it Dolby Music now. Neo6 was DTS brand on my old receiver.
I use a Mac Mini with an ifi Zen One Signature DAC connected via 4.4 mm to XLR cable to my receiver. What is interesting is that the ifi has coax and balanced outputs and the balanced sounds much better. Not sure if that is due to the Yamaha or due to the DAC or both.
We’re possibly thinking along the same lines. One system that can handle both Home Theater and good quality music playback. I don’t have the space for separate systems.
In our setup if the AVR did not have the 7.1 analog inputs then I would need a separate system for the OPPO 205 and exaSound S88 8 channel DAC output connections. As is all components connect to the AVR with preouts to a NAD M28 7 channel amp for the ground level speakers. The AVR powers the ceiling speakers when they are included in the soundtracks.
I like having the subs included and the AVR does a good job with the crossover for 2 channel only music when the surround processor is not used.