Upgrading HT and 2channel stereo

Sorry to disagree with Mijostyn, but there are way better ways of doing this and using the MRX Receiver with a higher quality power amplifier.

The idea of the receiver to power the center and rears is a good one, the area where we would differ, is to use a high quality intergrated amplifier with a home theater bypass function, along with a high quality dac/streamer. 

The reason is simple any surround sound processor does a poor job as a two channel preamplifier/dac. The reason is simple economics, a surround receiver has 5-11 channels of preaplification, 5-11 channels of dacs, Dolby and DTS decoders along with a video switcher, way too much circuity that generates noise is being injected into the music signal.

For this reason a pure two channel integrated will often sound far more dimensional with better resolution than the surround sound receiver even with a good power amplfier. The Parasound A21+ is a good power amplifier and even with the excellent Anthem Receivers, for music a Coda, Hegel, Luxman, Naim, Unison Reseach integrated will offer a far more realistic recreation of  a music event than the other setup.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Dealers for Anthem, Parasound, Coda, Unison, Naim, 

Hi Audio Doc, I often wish you would provide an idea of the pricing for the items that you recommend. Its obvious that there will be better sounding gears as one spends more for their equipment, but by your providing some guestimates of prices it will give the reader some general idea where the items you recommend fall on the affordability/diminishing returns curve which in turn will give some real world help to the reader making a decision.

If what I posted sounds a little snarky its not meant to.  Its just it seems that having no dollar references gives only half the story. 

This dialogue has been extremely beneficial laying out a solid framework from which to proceed.  Given monetary limitation, I may need to rethink whether an integrated amp is within the budget.  I would love to have the ability to pass thru/bypass; hence my desire to purchase an integrated amp for reasons Audio Doc indicated above.  Would relish Coda, Pass Labs, Moon, Etc, but just can’t allocate the $$ for new.  Used?  Welcome any suggestions if I should consider the less boutique makers like Emotiva, ATI or continue to set aside additional funds for a few more months. 
  Thanks all for your assistance.  

ironmike you could do a great system with an Anthem MRX 510 for $1,400.00 and a good high power integrated for $3-5k and you would have a great package.

We have the new Unison Research Unico Due a 120 watt hybrid integrated with a tube front end and a fantastic built in dac for $3,800.00

Your package therefore would be that $5,200.00 for a great amp with a great dac, and a fantastic surround sound receiver. 

Another great integrated is the Musical Fidleity M6si a 225 dual mono power house for $3,000.00

http://www.unisonresearch.com/en/products/unico-series/integrated-amplifiers/unico-due.html

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ