Is 2 channel dead?

What do you THINK you're going to do with all those CDs? You're going to listen to them. And they're two-channel. As long as you listen to them, two-channel will live.

You also seem to be worried that in a couple of years, the only things you'll be able to buy will be multichannel something-or-others. But multichannel something-or-others will always be able to play two-channel, for all those boom boxes and Walkmen and such, so you're not going to be shut out of new music. And the odds are CDs will continue to be the primary music medium for years to come. Stop fretting.

If you're in this hobby for the music you are not wasting your time. That you even ask the question makes me wonder. I have no doubt that I will be still listening to vinyl years from now not to mention CDs. It's the music that matters for this audiophile. Generally speaking those who are buying surround sound systems are into videos, not music. Unfortunately it is already true that 2-channel is pretty much dead, but I'm guessing there will always be a small group of music lovers who continue to keep it alive, albeit on a small scale. You can expect a lot of the small companies to go out of business in the near future though. Of course the current state of our economy isn't helping matters much. Lot of great deals on Audiogon right now if you've got the cash.

Do you really listen to 5, 6, 7.1 channels at once? What planet are you from? Do you have 2.5, 3, 3.5(.5) heads?

Last I heard, stereo employed a 2-channel to 1 head ratio, and was 1:1 on ears. Sounds sane to me - I think it'll be around for a little while.

Euh boy... two ears, two speakers, no progress...

The question is somewhat like asking if the Big Mac has replaced the T-bone..............