pm

being of Pink Floyd's generation (and even prior... sob !) I can recall multichannel experiments; such as quadro (4 tracks out of a specially shaped "diamond" on a 33rpm like disc)... Which tends to prove the need has been actual for quite a time. Since the '80S the CD gives the opportunity (apart from the long discussed "quality" between analog or digital recording...) to benefit easily from this multichannel environment. And when you have discovered classical "performances" out of a SACD, there is no turning back ! Furthermore, those discs being hybrid, you could compare 2.0 and 5.1. ! The multichannel is far more closer to the acoustical character of the place (cathedral,...) than stereo. What one expects is the higher sampling the better quality when playback. I guess that for rock/pop present standards trying to locate precisely a sound according to the place its emitter occupies in the band is not so important; sot that your idea of a channel dedicated to each individual makes sense. Wheras in a symphonic orchestra its position be it in widht or DEPTH is primary. Therefore, the more channels you play the more acute is the impression. The limit being... how many transducers your wife is likely to endure..

I just resold my M.C. set because of it being obsolete: A/V receiver HDMIless and reader linked via analog cables (SA-CD). I, being somewhat old (first Cd bought in '83...), now have several hundreds of such, as well as some DVD-A and quite a few SA-CD. Them being to my ears the very best of the lot. I intended to get a low end set SA-CD capable (namely Sony BDV-E380) but I read it does not decode 192/24. I wanted this set for its disc capabilities; as well as network connection. So that I could enjoy DTS HD MA 5.1 192/24 downloads (once I am fiber connected because of speed/time). Searching through internet I realise that very few (high end) receivers offer this 192/24 feature. Therefore my question: is it wise to buy now this Sony set (or alike) and live with its limitations, waiting for better times. Or must I postpone because of the industry being on the verge of switching to this "new standard" ? Thanks for your advice, and apologies for my english (french mothertongue).