The issue raised was... what processor for two channel listening given full range, "highly revealing speakers"
The OP asks..
For good stereo what is a better option? Going with an older high end pro like a meridian 861 version 2.8/4 or Halcro 100 OR buying a newer unit such as the Integra 80.2/3.
So... working through the Audyssey site... It turns out that only MultEQ XT32 will process the main LR channels along with the sub. Every other Audyssey product processes the surrounds and sub only. (I did not recognize this limitation... no wonder I was never impressed by the RC treatment listening to two channel music)
Now I understand bo's post
10 years ago I always had big 2-channel highend systems without a sub. We sold the more expensive Rel sub's. But for me they were too slow and I did not like the focus wenn it was used. XT-32 was the first system I found 2 channel with a sub good enough to use for myself. Before roomcorrection I was never interested in a sub for stereo use. ......
This recommendation fits my current setup where my classic Kef 104's need a bit of low frequency extension but integrating the sub is problematic and never as good as full range modern speakers. XT-32 is the Audessy soln to my needs of integrating the sub with my mains for 2.1 and managing my room acoustics in a WAF manner.... (the 5.1 listening improvement is just gravy)
The old advice of using a sub with your two channel listening so that your mains were easier to drive (but of course the limits of how well you could integrate the sub with monitors remained) can now be upgraded. DSP processing of the Main LR and sub using Audessy XT-32 is a big jump in technology and can improve your two channel plus.1 listening in the room that you have... (Not to mention your mulitchannel listening experience)
Are many people using XT-32 for critical listening of 2.1 music? Probably a separate thread!
The OP asks..
For good stereo what is a better option? Going with an older high end pro like a meridian 861 version 2.8/4 or Halcro 100 OR buying a newer unit such as the Integra 80.2/3.
So... working through the Audyssey site... It turns out that only MultEQ XT32 will process the main LR channels along with the sub. Every other Audyssey product processes the surrounds and sub only. (I did not recognize this limitation... no wonder I was never impressed by the RC treatment listening to two channel music)
Now I understand bo's post
10 years ago I always had big 2-channel highend systems without a sub. We sold the more expensive Rel sub's. But for me they were too slow and I did not like the focus wenn it was used. XT-32 was the first system I found 2 channel with a sub good enough to use for myself. Before roomcorrection I was never interested in a sub for stereo use. ......
This recommendation fits my current setup where my classic Kef 104's need a bit of low frequency extension but integrating the sub is problematic and never as good as full range modern speakers. XT-32 is the Audessy soln to my needs of integrating the sub with my mains for 2.1 and managing my room acoustics in a WAF manner.... (the 5.1 listening improvement is just gravy)
The old advice of using a sub with your two channel listening so that your mains were easier to drive (but of course the limits of how well you could integrate the sub with monitors remained) can now be upgraded. DSP processing of the Main LR and sub using Audessy XT-32 is a big jump in technology and can improve your two channel plus.1 listening in the room that you have... (Not to mention your mulitchannel listening experience)
Are many people using XT-32 for critical listening of 2.1 music? Probably a separate thread!