Yo jaglvr,
The 34XBR2 doen't need at set top box HD tuner...it is built in. It doesn't have a DSS tuner so if you want to watch satellite, you will need to get a DSS HD tuner like the Sony HD100.
As for the digital channels that are not watchable, you might find that an antenna rotor (about $75-$100) will allow you to fine tune the signal to reduce the multipath that causes the signal breakup and make those stations more watchable.
The Krell KAV-300i has a bypass mode that allows for integration into A/V setups. The A/V Pre-Pro (Preamp/Processor) would become an input on the KAV-300i...you would need an addional 3-4 channel amp that would be connected to the A/V Pre-Pro for the center, rear surrounds, and rear center (for 6.1 channel surround). The bypass mode allows the Pre-Pro to feed the low level signal straight thru the preamp portion of the KAV-300i and use the 150 wpc power amps just like a regular power amp. That eliminates the need to unplug speaker wires and preamp interconnects just to use the Krell with the A/V system.
When watching movies, the center channel contains the dialog. The reason for having a center channel speaker is to make the dialog sound like it is coming from where the actors are...on the screen. Unless you plan to watch all your movies with the closed captioning ON and read the dialog (as you get older, you will do this anyway) then you will need a center channel speaker.
Biggest recommendation(s):
DUMP THE OLD B&W CCM-80's AND GET 5 OR 6 MATCHING SPEAKERS AND A SUB. A NEW PAIR OF 602 Series 3's WILL KILL THEM.
UPGRADE THOSE CABLES ---- ALL OF THEM.
As for A/V Pre-Pro's there are really some nice units in the $3500 - $6000 price range. I like the Theta Casanova. But bang for the buck you cannot beat the sound quality and features of the Denon 5800.
