I'm really into music, and consider music to be my primary "love". However, like any person I watch a lot of TV & movies and love surround sound.

So here is my dilemma: I've been using a media center extender (xbox 360) to supply my music, but unless I switch my receiver to stereo it wants to pump the bulk of the sound out of my center channel (the signal between the extender and the receiver is still a DTS signal even when music is playing). To avoid this, I'm thinking of pulling out the center channel and setting it to "phantom". Any thoughts on this?

unless I switch my receiver to stereo it wants to pump the bulk of the sound out of my center channel (the signal between the extender and the receiver is still a DTS signal even when music is playing).Defeat the multi-channel stuff altogether when playing stereo music! On my Yamaha receiver it is as simple as selecting "Effects OFF". :cool:

Then switch your receiver to stereo when playing music! :rolleyes:

Other surround modes that aren't so stereo-centric include Dolby Pro Logic II Music, Circle Surround, or Neo:6 Music. Some of these have parameters you can adjust to taste.

Also, if you're into surround sound, stop buying 2-channel music, and go out and buy surround stuff on Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio.