Two-channel is inferior to multi-channel, no?

"The obvious reason, I am thinking, it is that two channels are less representative of infinity (live music) than 3, 5 or 7, etc."

7 channels of louder volume doesn't equate to better volume. I believe so often in this hobby one equates different as necessarily better. Of course, if I've invested into mass amounts of gear I'm of course having to justify that purchase so in my mind I'm convincing myself this has to be better. I'd leave better out of it. It's just different sound. A decent 2 channel rig will always sound as good as a multichannel one, but in the end what matters most is what satisfies you the listener...or the short version is, whatever floats your boat.

I have had some pretty expensive two channel systems in my past. And I definitely appreciate the refinement of what I can get from a 2 channel rig, readily. Truely, there certainly is a lot of gear out there, which can make the most of what is available from 2 channel source material, radio, cd's, vinyl, what have you. And it is likely easier to best setup 2 speakers in a room than it is many loudspeakers.
And, as for music, it's mostly definitely true that superior quantities of quality recordings can be found in the two channel format. So, on that merit alone, when considering music only, I think it's pretty difficult to argue against two channel for music. There's simply more quality content, and more gear that's designed to maximize that format. If you take 2 channel sources, and process them through a multi-channel system, you're already gunna lose something in the quality category. If you're into sound coming from all around you, and don't mind the overall refinement of the recording likely deteriorated a bit, I don't think you have much to stand on in this argument. At least, most will disagree with your position here.
When it comes to movies - and, more specifically, digital movie superiority as of late - I think it's going to fall into what's originally in the mix - multichannel. Down-conversion is your only option in this case and, as I stand with the 2 channel into multi-channel processing, I think you can't really argue against keeping things original in purity. Here, multi-channel is going to get the vote from the majority.
So, I think, if you're a music aficionado, then 2 channel setup is your weapon of choice. If movies, you're gunna favor multi-channel for what it's obviously designed for.
I really can't see anyone who's only into 2 channel sources, saying they think playing stereo into a Logic seven, or PLIIz, er what not, will walk all over a 2 channel rig for stereo sources. I just don't see it (er, hear it, rather). And, movie buffs, the same.
If at all, a hand full of die-hard 2 channel guys who like movies on their 2 channel rig as a preference, perhaps. Beyond that, the votes will all stack in favor of what I mentioned above I believe.
That's my take basically.

Avgoround wrote: If you're into sound coming from all around you, and don't mind the overall refinement of the recording likely deteriorated a bit, I don't think you have much to stand on in this argument.

You offer that same specious argument about sound coming from all around as an attack on multichannel. First, ambience does come from all around you at any live music event. Second, having instruments coming from all around you is not a feature of multichannel; it is a feature of BAD multichannel.

Avgoround wrote: So, I think, if you're a music aficionado, then 2 channel setup is your weapon of choice.

However, you completely ignore the existence of real, discrete multichannel music in all your arguments. FWIW.

Kal

I haven't read all comments, but the 'antis' I have surprize me. Apparently they haven't heard good MC sound. I have a great-sounding MC system that's based on a great-sounding 2-channel system--NOT the one listed in this site. Adding some subtle ambient information extracted from the 2-channel signal merely makes the sound more realistic, more spacious. I keep centerchannel levels quite low in MC with both discrete and recreated signals. Just as in 2-channel, one key to great sound is an intelligent listener who has adjusted his/her system correctly.

Two-channel music sounds small to me; MC doesn't.
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Live music is a monaural+venue experience.

Proper analog two channel playback can come uncannily close to some multi channel SACD recordings. Attaining this level is not a matter of expensive equipment but rather proper setup and tuning. The sonic superiority of many LP's, for one reason or another, simply didn't come across when mastered for CD. The refinement and availability of high resolution 24/192 downloads and or music BluRay (if that ever happens) will defiantly narrow the gap between two channel LP and multi channel digital.

Some are satisfied with the two channel quality they get with a multi channel setup. Putting another speaker between my stereo pair has a drastic effect on two channel sound staging in my system. The cost of five or seven matching high quality speakers and amplification is out of my range and lesser equipment is a definite downgrade which would make multi channel inferior to me. With enough money and the right space I guess one could reach that goal and claim equality between the two, if you can get past the center speaker being in the way.

I do own a separate 7.1 HT BluRay system and while SACD's and multi channel media sound good they simply lack the sonic finesse that my two channel system provides. The two channel system lacks the ability to play a multi channel recordings. Frankly, I like both for their differences.