No very little Compromise $20K 5CH System?

You might look into the high end of the Onkyo/Integra line for a pre-pro. They include Audyssey DRC which will allow optimum integration of the sub and room correction. The Audyssey can be defeated with a "Pure/Direct" switch that bypasses all internal signal processing. As a straight pre-amp, I thought the Integra sounded very, very good in a reasonably extended 2 channel audition at a local dealer.

Speakers for near/on wall use are trickier. I use the Vienna Schoenberg on-wall in my HT room. They look great and sound very good, but they don't stack up to the best freestanding speakers at the same price point. If you sit in the near field, you could also try studio monitors like Lipinski. Another interesting choice to investigate would be the Maggie on-walls, though I can't recommend them as I haven't heard 'em.

Amp choice is dependent on speaker choice. In any event, your budget will allow 5 ice power monos from a numer of brands (total app $5K and up), several of which will be a good choice for the more power hungry options out there.

For a "nothing fancy" Blue Ray player,you might want to think about a Play Station. My neighbor runs the Blue Ray product for Sony and was able to offer me a pretty steep discount on any Sony Blue Ray player, except the Play Station which is subsidized by Sony. He believes that it's as good as anything they make and recommended it over any of the units he could get. I bought one and am happy with it. The only downside is that it takes a bit longer to boot up.

Good Luck

Marty

"Lg1":

If I was in a quandry that is similiar to yours (that is, design an (almost) "no compromise" system with a $20K budget), and if it were "MY" $20K, here's what I would spend it on:

Speaker System:

Paradigm Signature 8 Towers** (Fronts..... For 2-Channel Listening With Other Speakers Switched Off, And Then The Other Speakers Switched On Again For Home Theater)

Paradigm Signature W5C (Center Channel)

Paradigm Signature ADP1 (Surrounds)

Subwoofer(s):

REL T2 (try one first just to see if a single T2 provides enough bass extension for your particular room. If so..... you're set with this subwoofer. If not, if and when your budget allows you to do so, you can add a second T2 later on. Two T2's working together should provide more than enough bass extension in your mid sized room)

Power Amplifier:

Bryston 6B SST (300 Watts x 3 @ 8 Ohms; 500 Watts x 3 @ 4 Ohms; 20 Year Warranty)

Bryston 3B SST (150 Watts x 2 @ 8 Ohms; 250 Watts x 2 @ 4 Ohms; 20 Year Warranty)

Preamplifier:

Bryston BP26 MC (Has Remote Control; Built-In Phono Stage (For Your Sumiko Blackbird); 20 Year Warranty)

Surround Sound Processor:

Integra DHC-40.1

Blu-Ray Player:

Pioneer BDP-51D (which is the one I personally own..... true.... this is last year's model, but I bought this model because of the construction that this thing has, and the performance that it offers for the money, and of course, from an audio aspect, the Wolfson DAC's doesn't hurt either..... you may still find one for below retail if you shop around, or you might find a used one for less than $200.00)

Oppo BDP-83 (STRONG alternative)

DAC:

PS Audio Digital Link III

Cables:

I am going to leave you on your own here. Pick what sounds good and what sounds right to YOUR ears.

Rack(s) & Accessories:

Don't forget to budget for these as well. And for THIS setup, power conditioning is mandatory.

Options:

If there are any funds left over, like "Macdadtexas" has stated, you could go ahead and get yourself an Apple TV to feed your 52" LCD (or Plasma) TV. I would say get a TiVo HD-XL DVR. But with a TiVo, you have to pay for TiVo Service on a monthly basis before the TiVo could function properly (personally, I have a TiVo HD-DVR (Standard Model)). With an Apple TV, if you have an "iTunes" account with Apple, you should be just fine (like in no monthly fees for example).

Good Luck and Happy Shopping......

Regards.....

--Charles--

"Macdadtexas":

Oh yes..... how much are those Paradigm Signature 8 Towers???

I think I like those too..... I saw those on their website.

That was what the "*" was for in my post to "Lg1".

--Charles--