Like alot of you for years I have promoted the idea of listening to 2 channel source material in 2 channel or 2.1 channel modes, not Pro-logic or all the other modes alot of receivers have. After getting my 990 I find myself using the 5 channel stereo mode to listen to music more and more, especially when I have friends over. I realize it isn't the real 2 channel sound but I like the sound and don't think it detracts from the music.

So the question is do you listen to your 2 channel music in 5/7 channel stereo mode? What are your thoughts?

Jeff

I'm also using 5/7 channel a lot more than previously on the 950.

I have the 1070 not the 990 but if I'm not sitting down listening to music but rather just moving around the room I prefer the 5 channel stereo mode for some music and DPLII Music for other music (mostly stuff that's a bit too bass-heavy in 5 channel mode). If I'm sitting in the sweet spot I prefer 2 channel sound.

I haven't used the 5/7 channel modes since I originally got the 990 and ran through all the modes. With as good as two channel sounds from the unit, I just can't get away from it.

Of all the additional modes (i.e. apart from traditional 2 channel or 2.1 channel) in the 990, the one that I like most for music is DTS NEO-6 (albeit I like to turn the surrounds down by about 4 dB or so to make its sound more natural). I find this to be the least gimmicky (and therefore most musical) of the modes and have the least detrimental effect on the bass.

However, that's when I feel like listening to the source material in a slightly different way; Doug917 makes a very good point - when the source material is good (and was likely engineered with 2 channel in mind), and as the 990 seems to handle that well (digitally) it's tough to leave that.

In short I'd say I use 2.1 mode for 95% of my traditional 2-channel listening, and DTS NEO-6 (with surrounds throttled back a little) for something different.

Mark

I found multi-channel audio to be more hype than anything else....

UNTIL I bought the Blue Man Group "Audio" DVD. Holy crapola, Batman!

I like 5 channel and dolby music pretty well... I almost always go back to stereo mode though, but that is mostly because my reciever has a bit more oompf in 2 channel mode.