Best Complete HomeTheater USED for $5000.00

Theta still lists the David in its museum.

They offered an SDI option at one time ---

Further options include: 4:2:2 Serial Digital Video Out

http://www.thetadigital.com/museum/david2/prod-info.htm

I don't know if Theta would mod the unit with SDI at this time or if you'd have to take your unit to someone else -- several people do SDI mods. This is something you'd have to research. See who will mod your Theta David, how much the various people charge, and who has the most elegant solution.

This would allow you to keep using the David as your digital transport for CD's and DVD's.

Here is a company that offers SDI mods, but doesn't specify Theta David as a unit they mod. They charge $375 for the mod. That might give you some
ballpark idea of what it would cost for the mod.

http://www.hotrodaudiomods.com/dvdedvd3910.html

If you add SDI and an external scaler, you're talking about spending
somewhere around $1,500. On the other hand, if you are not married to the
Theta David, you could probably sell it for around $1,200 and replace it with
something like the Denon 3910, which costs around $1,200 (stock). The
Denon 3910 is a universal player and has HDMI, which will also pass the
video signal in digital, saving you a digital to analog conversion, giving you
high quality video. It will also output SACD and DVD-A via Firewire.

Since you could probably sell your Theta for around the same price as the
Denon 3910, it would be a wash and that would conserve your budget for
other things. (You may want to mod the Denon -- I have heard great things
about the APL mods!)

Here is a projector you should put on your list --

Optoma H77

http://www.visualapex.com/LCDprojectors/LCD_projectors_details.asp?chPartNumber=H77&MFR=Optoma

Hi
-Ok So I like the projector idea.
-Think 4.1 could make sense for me - But do I under stand that it is simply 4-channels/speakers with a feature that provide a center sound stage?
-Does the Denon mentioned take care of the graininess of the projector image and still allow me to play my CDs on a reasonable listening level?
_What happens if I get rid of my Jadis? What 4.1 receiver could i get for under 2k used - or I am I crazy to go there?

Using a projector will be a big plus, I had my 55" Rptv between my speakers when I first went multichannel but switched to a projector a good while ago. This was a huge improvement in soundfield and gave me much better center channel options.

My system works fine with and without center channel in my large room, I have listened both ways many times...using my center sounds better every time I make the switch back.

I also play a lot of multichannel music on my system, I prefer the use of my center channel.

Many reasons not to use a center speaker and just as many reasons why you should. In the end...go with what works for you and your room/system.

I use a pre/pro for decoding movies and multichannel music playback along with a two channel tubed preamp for stereo only playback in a unity gain configuration.

You could keep the Jadis (if it's doing a good job) and only add a 3-channel amp along with a pre/pro...the Jadis would be used for all 2-channel listening as in my system. Speak with Jadis regarding that option.

I suggest two subs (I use three)...don't buy hometheater subs for a combined music/movie type of system...you will not be happy as they will sound out of place when used with music...

Dave