Home Theater and Reciever compatibility

[someone]

I got scammed in one of those white van cheap speaker system deals and since it didn't come with the reciever I went shopping for one at pawn shops. I found a Sony integrated stereo amplifier thinking it might serve the function of a reciever but when I hooked up the center speaker, no sound was emitted. Would it work if I were to hook up the entire system?

[minnie]

Put it on 4/5 channel stereo to test. What people miss with surround sound systems not all speakers emit sound depending on the mode.