It's Not, according to recent developments at IAR.
International Audio Review! See 30 page review.
They say, the Arcam AV8 and DVD 27 is the ultimate.
They review amplifiers, speakers, turntables,
but there doesnot seem to be amy preamplifer reviews;
I suspect because they feel the there is no use, when
the arcam setup properly kicks everything elses butt!
I'm thinking of packing it in with two channel and convert what I can to home theatre.
I find there is so many great concerts to watch and listen to that is seems rather boring to just listen to two channel.
It seems that my extremely cheap home theatre system
sounds 85% of my extremely expensive two channel.
I guess there is diminishing returns on high end.
I now what your thinking, my high end gear is crap right.
Wrong, my friends think my system sounds better than most stuff in the so-called hiend stores. Maybe that's why their my freinds haha.
Seriously I think that most will agree that your home theatre system is in around the same level compared to your two channel stuff.
So I think it's possible that the Arcam might be that good!
What sayest thou?