How can you not have multichannel system

My final comment here: I completely understand the OP's reaction. Mr_hosehead
makes an excellent point about multi track recording and how it potentially
translates to multi channel format.

My answer to the original question, " How can you not have multichannel
system?", remains the same.

If one has a room conducive to the installation of a multi channel system with
the extra speakers, wire and necessary electronics, and if one wants to invest
the money and time to optimize multi channel, then go for it.

Personally, I find it quite easy to not have multi channel, and I don't feel I'm
missing out, but I have factors that preclude installing a good, not half-assed,
multi channel system, so it's a moot point.

Relax dude, everyone can like what they like, and decide for themselves...you're not the straw stirring the drink, just someone talking loudly about his preferences...

I guess I should add my "wall of sound" in stereo SACD, DVD-A and plain old stereo digital and analog does a pretty good job across the board. This does allow me to spend more money on the products and speakers then I would be able to buying surround. But also, I appreciate your involvement in your system, and that you enjoy it.

if the purpose of a stereo system is to recreate , as close as possible, the experience of attending a live music event, 4 pairs of appropriate speakers, e.g., electrostatics, may be preferable to 1 pair.

if one is concerned with the elements of music, pitch, timbre and harmonics, i fail to see how "additional channels" can reduce errors in reproduction of timbre.

spatial effects are not components of music. it would seem that additional channels can provide spatial cues, but a tenor sax should still sound like a tenor, not an alto.

Tvad...You don't like "audio tricks"? What do you suppose the phantom center channel of a stereo rig is? Everything except mono is an audio trick.