This may seem like a dopey question for those who know the answer, but I've got a question regarding amplification for matrix playback. I was always under the assumption that one of the requirements of any quadraphonic playback (Q8, Quad Reel, CD-4, SQ, QS, etc) was four channels of amplification. In the case of matrix quad, I'm now wondering if that is true.
The question came up for me when I was doing research on my recent acquisition, a Seeburg SQS 160 Quadraphonic Jukebox. Now, I think everyone knows that the "decoder" in the Seeburg quad jukes was a total scam. That was verified for me when I discovered that the quad jukebox came with a 2 channel stereo amplifier. In an old post, Tad Bartel, who also has one of these quad jukes, suggested purchasing a more modern matrix decoder for use w/ the jukebox, a Chase HTS-1. I found one of these dirt cheap as Tad suggested I might. When I received the Chase, which was actually an early design for surround playback for home theaters, most of the setup options only require a two channel stereo amp. They do have one possible set up that uses a separate stereo amp to power the rear channels, but that is simply to give you separate volume control of the rears.
If a matrix decoder can split a stereo signal into four or more channels, and if that decoder allows you to feed that output signal to four separate speakers, is there actually any reason that you need more than two channels of amplification? Other than lack of control w/ the playback volume between front and rears, can't a stereo amp actually power matrix quad?
The question came up for me when I was doing research on my recent acquisition, a Seeburg SQS 160 Quadraphonic Jukebox. Now, I think everyone knows that the "decoder" in the Seeburg quad jukes was a total scam. That was verified for me when I discovered that the quad jukebox came with a 2 channel stereo amplifier. In an old post, Tad Bartel, who also has one of these quad jukes, suggested purchasing a more modern matrix decoder for use w/ the jukebox, a Chase HTS-1. I found one of these dirt cheap as Tad suggested I might. When I received the Chase, which was actually an early design for surround playback for home theaters, most of the setup options only require a two channel stereo amp. They do have one possible set up that uses a separate stereo amp to power the rear channels, but that is simply to give you separate volume control of the rears.
If a matrix decoder can split a stereo signal into four or more channels, and if that decoder allows you to feed that output signal to four separate speakers, is there actually any reason that you need more than two channels of amplification? Other than lack of control w/ the playback volume between front and rears, can't a stereo amp actually power matrix quad?