Amp/Preamps vs. High end AV Receivers

What are the speakers that you have or interested to power sufficiently?.

B&W CM8 specs:
88dB spl (2.83V, 1m) which is like approximately 86 dB/1 W/1 Meter (quite low).
Impedance: 8Ω (minimum 3Ω) (the minimum does not look good).

Not sure how far you sit from the speakers if one assumes 9ft, you might need for the amp to be at-least putting out 96 Watts of clean watts to reach 85 dB + 15 dB (swings) all the way to 3 Ohm when needed
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

So an amp that probably does 200 Watts per channel so that THD is low at 100 Watts, typical of many amps, there are exceptions however.

I don't think there are many receivers that can go up-to 200 Watts per channel and also support impedance to 2 Ohm (at-least on spec).

Better go to with separates for 2 channel an HT bypass will come in handy. This will depend on how you source the music and the music from the videos.

If you like Onkyo for rest of the capabilities then just get a high powered low cost 5 channel amp that can do 2 ohm stable like ATI AT525NC. Small form factor , no heat, excellent measurements. You can spring for newer hypex models but they will be more expensive than ATI. 

For a great deal contact @apexstereo .

You can continue to upgrade AV when you see fit and the amp will keep your speakers adequately powered. Frees up your choice of AV in the future.

@jdub071 Denon AVR-X2400H is not even rated for 4 Ohm. As long as it works for you that is good. What levels do you listen to normally?.

@jdub071 What speakers do you have? Your experience depends on the speakers. The op here has speakers that are quite a value for money and need good amount power to get them singing.

These days one can get excellent 2 or 3 channel amp with great measurements, one must consider their speaker before getting an amp however.

@caphill I personally will not invest in a $4k receiver (i.e both AV processor and amp). And specially when there are no measurements for the amp section of the receiver. Why even bother. No one really know what they are getting. 

You are right it is pointless to consider $20k worth of electronics for B&W CM8. And I would venture and say considering one unit at $4k is also pointless.

One can get great amps for far less than $4k. And once you have a good amp one is free to upgrade AVR/Processor every few years. 

My Marantz SR7005 is not at all close to dedicated AMPs I have, even with really modest speakers i.e Paradigm Studio 40v3.

Unless there is space constraint or usability constraint an expensive AVR is just a giant waste of $$, buy an used last gen AVR for 30% of its cost if one must, IMHO. Good amps are keepers!. Pick a flavor tube class A / SS class A / AB / D/ G/ H and sticking with it, they are better value for the $$ over long term and quite a satisfying musical option.