buy the ARC, great match with the awesome Vandy's, and use the HT bypass and use a nice Denon (3810?) or higher level Onkyo for the HT. They will drive the center and rear channels without any problem and sound very good. You will never approach the performance of the ARC with any surround processor, so just hybrid it, Stereo and HT. The new recievers are great for processing all of the HD formats and switching the video without degridation.
also, you won't need additional amps for the rear and center. Try this first before you spend a ton more on a surround processor and seperate amps.
If you want to go crazy high end on the HT too, I would look at either an Anthem D2v or the Cary 11a and 11v together. Amps are you choice, I love the Parasound Halo a51 for HT.
Good luck.
also, you won't need additional amps for the rear and center. Try this first before you spend a ton more on a surround processor and seperate amps.
If you want to go crazy high end on the HT too, I would look at either an Anthem D2v or the Cary 11a and 11v together. Amps are you choice, I love the Parasound Halo a51 for HT.
Good luck.