The center channel is really only needed in theater situations where a lot of people are sitting off center. Anyone seated on line with the center, or close to it, will hear the soundstage which will sound like there is a center channel even when there isn't. Since hardly anyone has a home theater with 20 people sitting well off-axis this is a good example of the industry selling people something they simply do not need.
Whether or not you need surround speakers depends on how important it is that you have the whizz bang effects going off behind you as compared to a really good and compelling soundstage all across the room in front of you. Because you cannot have both. No HT gear made, and certainly not the Rotel/Arcam stuff you're looking at, will do that anywhere near what you can get for the same money with plain old stereo.
Listen for yourself and see what I mean. If you are gonna throw that much money away on HT marketing at least go into it with your eyes - and ears - open.
Whether or not you need surround speakers depends on how important it is that you have the whizz bang effects going off behind you as compared to a really good and compelling soundstage all across the room in front of you. Because you cannot have both. No HT gear made, and certainly not the Rotel/Arcam stuff you're looking at, will do that anywhere near what you can get for the same money with plain old stereo.
Listen for yourself and see what I mean. If you are gonna throw that much money away on HT marketing at least go into it with your eyes - and ears - open.