Is Andy the music reviewer that fitzcarldo introduced me to, if so, then I was amazed at how well classical sounded in his 5.1 Wilson duetta system in a 15*15 room. Much better than a 2 channel XLF (digital only). Old pass 30w amps. What MCH does Peter McGrath have?
Yes, that was Andy, although he has upgraded his amps to Pass XA 60's with the very efficient Wilson's. It is indeed a very fine system that easily conveys the considerable advantages of Mch over stereo with classical music. That is also quite true in my system and in those of a number of other friends.
I have never heard Peter's system, only heresay about it from Andy. Obviously, his speakers would be Wilson's. But, Peter, for some obscure reason, embraces 4 channels over 5, and might not include a center channel in his setup. I understand that when he had a Fla. dealership, he would have ARC Mch analog processors modified for customers to mix the center channel into front L and R in a 4.0 configuration. I believe that all of Peter's own Mch recordings are also 4.0.
To me, however, all audible evidence points to 5 or more channels being significantly better than 4 in every way. Peter started his interest in Mch early - quad era perhaps. But, commercial classical recordings except for a few small labels have overwhelmingly gone for 5.0/.1 over the past 15 years, and with excellent results. Peter, with relatively few Mch recordings to his credit, is just a reactionary, attempting to buck the trend, IMHO.
Another major exception is the LSO Live label, which favors 4.0. But, no LSO Live recording is highly regarded sonically by knowledgeable critics compared to the 5.0/.1 competition from other great labels. Obviously, the Barbican's poor acoustics have been part of the issue, but so has the 4 channel emphasis of the chosen Classic Sounds Ltd. recording team, which has forever failed to impress me, even with their recordings of the Mariinski Orchestra in St. Petersburg. Other recording teams have done a much better job in the same hall with the same orchestra.
Perhaps Sir Simon Rattle, who I greatly admire, can get this recording issue sorted out, much as he has done with a replacement hall for the Barbican. Incidentally, Sir Simon just conducted a Mahler 6th here in Philly last night. Unfortunately, I was not able to be there. I eagerly await the NY Times critics' assessment of the repeat performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra at Carnegie Hall next week.
It is a shame really. Such a great orchestra. Such mediocre sounding recordings for the LSO. Compare this to the RCO Live label from the Concertgebouw. Now, that is great orchestral sound in Mch. A great hall? Yes. But, the Mch recordings in 5.0 on SACD are also invariably top notch.
Bottom line, Mch in a 5.0/.1 in the ITU angular configuration is the great starting point for excellent Mch. More channels, as in my 7.1 system, honestly do not add much worthwhile, even with 7.1 recordings. Fewer channels than 5, like 4.0, definitely subtract from the experience.
