What The Fidelity??

Thanks you guys for the responses and the advice. Internetmin....the recommendations are much appreciated. I will check out oppo? and read some reviews. To clarify, after I mentioned keeping the Denon, he said " OK keep the Denon but there's no use getting the Paridigm......it won't be any good. Hmmmm. But then he said to get a processor. Which leads to a very interesting commentary. Have you ( or anyone ) ever heard of HDTV models available in "tiers" or "grades". He suggested that any TV bought at Best Buy or COSTCO or wherever is low end. The glass is cheap and the build is crap. ( these are his words ). He, though, can get high end with real high quality glass and construction. He's not comparing Runco to Samsung......he's comparing Samsung to Samsung, the same ES8000 model, only with an upgrade!! Personally I don't believe it.
And Jaxwired.......I'm a sound guy as opposed to a music or movie guy. I love smooth, warm music.....even if it's jamm'in and loud. The SOUND has to feel good. Even in movies, clarity and precision are more enjoyable than crash and bang. So maybe I am a tube amp guy after all .
Thanks again

"he's comparing Samsung to Samsung, the same ES8000 model, only with an upgrade"

I call B.S. on that one.

Brian,

There are different models of TVs within a line. Some are going to be "dealer only" or specialty products. An example is the Sharp Elite or the now discontinued Pioneer Kuro that are sold through specific channels (BTW, BestBuy Magnolia sections sell the premium TVs so that shoots the installer's theory out the window). Personally speaking, unless it's either of those two models, the markup isn't worth it.

Panasonic makes some gorgeous dealer-oriented displays but again they are really expensive compared to the other models. I've been an audiophile and home theater enthusiast for years. I try and keep up on the industry and read up on the technology. One of the reviewers I respect most is Tom Norton from Home Theater. I find his reviews and insights to be consistently high caliber. In some instances, he's pointed out that from a picture quality difference there is sometimes no difference between models; rather, features like 3D, additional ports, then Internet apps are the features in the more expensive models. Many of the entry level and mid-tier are even able to be ISF calibrated. As a general rule of thumb, the middle-tier TVs are better values than the very top of the line.

That being said, if the model numbers are the same, the dealer isn't somehow adding magic dust that only he has to make the TV perform better. I suggest you go through the reviews here at hometheater.com or soundandvision.com as your starting point:
http://www.hometheater.com/flat-panel-top-picks
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/category/site-channel/gear/tvs-projectors

If you are looking for a 55" TV, then consider this one from Panasonic and save yourself a few thousand dollars.
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/test-report-panasonic-tc-p55vt50-3d-plasma-hdtv
http://www.hometheater.com/content/panasonic-tc-p55st50-plasma-3d-hdtv

If you end up saving yourself thousands, you can buy my kids a $100 savings bond for college and pocket the rest! LOL ;-)

Don't forget to have fun with this process.

Theo