Phantom Center and the 975

Hey guys...

I just sent Ben an email, but then I remembered...the Saloon!!

My Magnepan center was accidentally crushed by my lady friend during a move a while back, so I've just been running my Maggie 3.6s in stereo via a Peachtree Audio Nova 125 integrated. I moved the 975 to the smaller surround system, some Rogersound Labs speakers. Anyway, I have some Maggie surrounds I want to get back into play, and I'd also like to get the .1 LFE channel fired up again, as well. My thought is to just get another 975 and use it in the Magnepan since I have enjoyed my current 975 for several years now.

here is my question: If I configure it with no center speaker, will DD/DTS programming just down mix the center info to them mains and go about its day? Or will this cause dB drops in any of the other channels and/or other unforseen issues? I already know the Maggies throw a beautiful center fill, because that's how I've been watching movies for a while now. So Im not worried about that aspect of it at all. I just don't want to bother adding in a processor if it's going to create more issues than it solves, or if Im actually not going to be able to get the DD/DTS sound (including the LFE .1 channel) that Im after.

Not sure if I made that clear or not, but any help is appreciated

AJ

As long as the processor doesn't see the center channel it will feed all of the center to the mains. If you then cross the .1 channel over with the sub in range you will have the 2.1 system set up.

To use the 975 for Stereo on the remote just press the Stereo button and the display should indicate Stereo or Stereo + SW.

Thank you, good sir...so I wont lose any of the .1 info just by configuring "no center", is that correct? That's my biggest fear, cause the main reason I'm doing this is to actually GET the .1 LFE back into play. I just know I've read some posts over the years that sometimes DD/DTS do some odd things with regard to down mixing.

Appreciate it, XenonMan

As long as you select Stereo and cross the sub at the right point it will be just fine.

In the 975 speaker setup menu simply select "none" for the center channel. The 975 will handle the rest automatically.

There is a "stereo" button on the remote but you need not concern yourself with it in the situation you have described. Just set the distances and levels for the speakers you are running and forget about the rest.

P.S. I just checked on my 975 to verify that while you can run in the "stereo" mode if you wish to change the "surround mode" option the 975 will automatically drop back out of "stereo" mode.