No very little Compromise $20K 5CH System?

Pre-amp - Cary SLP98p f-1 (used) or McIntosh C2200

Amp(s) - Parasound Halo A51 or Bryston 5 channel (can't remember the number)

Speakers - Paradigm Signature S8 for the fronts, then Pardigm Reference for the center and Surrounds

BluRay - Oppo

Surround Processor - Denon or Onkyo (Maybe the Integra 9.XX processor)

Interconnects and speaker cable, all Kimber (Hero and 8tc (front)/4tc all the rest

Subwoofer - Rel B2 (only easy way to integrat 2 channel and HT due to accepting LFE and high level connections simultaneously) oh yeah, and it rocks.

You still have money left for:

AppleTV

DAC - MHDT Labs Havana, BelCanto DACIII,

Have fun, sounds great to me

A foot off the walls got to me. Otherwise I'd have said Silverlines, sonata IIIs as mains, SR15 rears, Center stage, DD 15 sub... ... all preowned. $6 - 7K.

Integra DHC 40.1 (new... just came out $1200 msrp) proc.

Butler TDB 5150 5 ch amp ($3K MSRP; used $1700 - 1800)

Ditto Oppo BDP 83 $500 new

ICs & squeaker cables - lots to choose from - 500 - 1500? used total.

pcs for Oppo, Integra, & Butler amp - 200 - 1000 used total

sub total = $12 - $13K

RAck = $650

Power cond/filter - $1000

Which puts you under $15K., and apart from the video and DAC and screen is about my deal htough I shot out some lower prices on cabling than I have in mine not knowing your take on wires.

The Paradigns Mac... texas suggested are good too and with the butler amp should be great though for the mains, S8 I'd use a TDB 2250 ($3K new) just for them and a 3ch TDB 3150 for c, RR & LR. which adds another 2500 or so.

so with the balance, if I wanted to add anything to my own HT audio portion I'd seriously consider a second likewise sub. Be it DD15s, or JL 112s, or twin B2s as Mac pointed out. one DD15 works pretty dog gone dgood in my 14x21x8.5 closed off room... but two would be super! Add another 1750 or so... and you're still under the budget with many new pieces, outstanding sound, and $$$ left over.

personally If I were you, I'd use the left over $$$ for a 1080P DLP projector and add a few duckets for a Firehawk screen. Under $4K for that combo new.... or less for less.

One thing about HT... whenever friends come over for a flick or something, I pull open those curtains and they see that 116 inch wide 16:9 screen, the Wow factor is really really cool. (BTW FPJ 720P DLP + bRACKET + DIY SCREEN = $900) .... NEW 1080P very nice =2500 + stewart screen 1350+, bracket $100.... ISP pro sett up $300 - $500.

Put the plasma in the BEd room... go big screen... there's nothing quite like one to truly satisfy for a super cool HT event. Absolutely nothing... but it'll be way good either or... screenwise.

Two subs are the deal IMO.

Good luck. Let us know what you wound up doing, please?

macdadtexas suggestions are right on but don't forget room treatments. Also, before you spend a dime, get and read Toole's book 'Sound Reproduction' to fully understand the trade offs that HT vs 2 channel stereo will bring. As mentioned, two subs will be a must, and Toole covers that point in his book. Also, you did not mention the size of your room, hope its big, if so look into JBL Everest's. Kimber had them in its room at the RMAF.

Actually the room situation is perhaps a little unusual....it's approx 22' x 12' x 8.5' adjoined by a large archway to another space approx. 16' x 18' x 8.5'h. I failed to mention that I've got JBL L65 fronts right now and if there's no improving on that aspect at this budget for 5CH, I'd just as soon stick with them. I've got my front speakers and 52" LCD on the 22' wall at present.

Googling for "L65" JBLs wasn't too encouraging... I found L65 sold for as little as $90 in a thrift store, and some LS65 which go for $2K per pair.

I'd hazzard a guess, the above listed speakers will outperform them.

natuarlly, you can outfit the electronics and find out for yourself if you feel the JBLs are indeed worth keeping or stepping up from. If 'kept, you've more budget for acoustic treatments.