Theta Dreadnaught vs. Earthquake Cinenova?

Another amp to consider, that I'm running, is the Pass Labs X5. I've seen it for around $2500 used. I think it's rated at 125 watts but I got up above 109 db one day without cranking the volume past halfway and the amps just cruised through the material. The sub went wonky but that's another story. It's way more amp than my surrounds need and one day, if I grow up, I'll get another, perhaps lower quality, power amp for my surrounds and bi-amp my mains.

Vandersteen's and the Theta Dreadnaught form one of those sought out synergy's. Vandersteen's do sound wonderful with the Theta. I currently use one (4-ch x 200w) driving my 3A Sigs in a biamp. I just can't imagine hardly any amps that I think would better the combo.

I personally own the Earthquake cinenova and have listened to the Theta Dreadnaught at my local dealer. For home theater applications, the cinenova performs almost as well as the Dreadnaught. Read the reviews at earthquakesound I don't think paying 2 and a half times is worth the money.
With the money saved buy more dvd's!
just my 2 cents...
check out these reviews
http://www.earthquakesound.com/clint_walker.htm
http://www.earthquakesound.com/cineova.htm

I have to admit that I love the Dreadnaught!

If your total budget is $4,500 though I think you would be best served to get the Earthquake or any other quality amp in the $2,000 to $3,000 range (Parasound, Bryston, EAD etc..) and spend the rest on a new surround processor. The DC-1 as stated above would be the week link with a Dreadnaught. If you can afford to get the Dreadnaught and a new surround processor then you would be set for a long time.

The DC-1 is great for just movies but IMHO adding the Dreadnaught to it is OVERKILL. The surround processors from Meridian and Proceed are much smoother sounding then the Lexicon and I feel the Meridian does a better job on movies too.

I agree with Brainwater and my experience with changing out my MC-1 to a Proceed then Meridian was the best move I ever made for HT and music improved dramatically as well.

The amp is very important but don't forget the pre-amp.

Good luck

Thanks so much to everyone for your response. Do you think the Meridian 565 would be good with the Theta and a big improvement over the DC 1 for both movies and music? Everything else from Meridian is just out of my price range at the moment, especially if I buy the Theta. Thanks again for your help.