I agree with AKG, but took a different path. Stereo from an Ayre C-5xeMP, an Oppo BDP-105, and a Parasound JC-3 phono stage connect to a JC-2 preamp. The Oppo stereo uses a by-pass input to the JC-2, surround goes directly to the Proceed HPA amps, SW to a Velodyne SMS-1 bass manager. In addition to providing excellent AV, the Oppo does speaker management and provides DACs for a DirecTV HD-DVR.
I rely on the Ayre and Thorens for stereo, the Oppo for surround and HT. A Proceed Amp 2 drives the rear speakers, but I rarely turn it on, and I deactivated the center channel. I control everything with a Logitech Harmony One remote.
The Oppo is sufficiently inexpensive to be expendable in the event of a major technological development I feel I must have, but it plays Blu-rays with the latest codecs and provides a beautiful image to a 100" screen. For CDs and SACDs, it's no match for the Ayre, but it's no slouch either. Opera on Blu-ray is a treat.
db.
I rely on the Ayre and Thorens for stereo, the Oppo for surround and HT. A Proceed Amp 2 drives the rear speakers, but I rarely turn it on, and I deactivated the center channel. I control everything with a Logitech Harmony One remote.
The Oppo is sufficiently inexpensive to be expendable in the event of a major technological development I feel I must have, but it plays Blu-rays with the latest codecs and provides a beautiful image to a 100" screen. For CDs and SACDs, it's no match for the Ayre, but it's no slouch either. Opera on Blu-ray is a treat.
db.