I can't read all this good stuff on the 200 without thinking about how I might use one or more 200s with my 1050. I confess that I am a novice when it comes to using any equipment other that an all-in-one receiver. I can't afford to step up to separates just now--I am dreaming of reasonably-priced improvements.

My usage is mainly movies. Would there be any point (besides the "wow" factor) to using a 200 for the fronts in a 6.1 system? How about a 200 for the fronts and a second 200 for the rears? What would be the role of the 1050 in such a setup (i.e., would it drive just the centers and be a processor)? Is this all silly and a waste of money?

Thanks for any "adult supervision" on this issue!

------------------
Michael Stano

Outlaw 1050
Klipsch KG 3.2s frt & rr
Klipsch KV 3 ctr
Klipsch KV 2 surr ctr
Klipsch SW 10 sub
Mitsubishi DD 8020 DVD
Mitsubishi HS U70 SVHS
Mitsubishi 46" 16:9 TV

Yamaha HRT 5250
AR PS 2052 frt & rr
AR PSC 25 center
AR PSB S108 sub
Sony DVP-C660 DVD
Sony SLV-N70 VHS
Sony 32" TV

Well, you'd need two 200's for the fronts and two more for the rears, since each 200 is a monoblock (OK, "M-block," but either way it's a single channel of amplification). That may make the "reasonably-priced improvement" bit a little tenuous. You could get three of them to drive your fronts and center (where the greatest workload falls in home theater) and let the 1050 drive the rears and surround back and otherwise act as preamp/surround processor. You could also just get a pair of them for the fronts to give you a bit more power for two-channel music listening...

Aside from perhaps adding a couple for your front channels, you may want to think about a 755 or 7100 (when it becomes available, 7x100W) for extra amplification power -- once you go beyond two or three channels, it'll start to be most cost effective (and easier to set up) to get five channels or seven channels in a single chassis. The 755 is comparable in price to five Model 200's, and you could always then add one or two Model 200's at any time to pick up the surround back channel(s) later, keeping the 1050 as pre/pro or even replacing it eventually with a pre/pro...

------------------
gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

You will need to buy four 200's to power your front and rear speakers- one for each individual speaker. Sonic improvements will depend on the size of your room, speaker sensitivity and how loud you like to listen. Most of us seem to hear an overall sonic improvement using outboard amplification. YMMV. "Is this all silly and a waste of money?" My wife thinks so.

Well, you'd need 2 200s if you wanted to drive both fronts (left & right.) If you were to add more beyond that, a third to drive the center would probably make the most sense. That's what I did.

External amps for your mains would in effect give you "separates" for 2-channel stereo, but if you rarely listen to 2-channel stereo this might not matter to you.
The impact of more power for the front channels only on movies is more subtle in my experience.

On the downside, that was a humbling education! On the upside, I can quit dreaming of 200s and start scheming for a 7100!