I know, there is no 'best', but...

Yeah, I've been made a believer there, at least for mains. I had my mains on the AVR and then added my Yamaha amp back in, and didn't hear much difference, but on the advice from another thread, I got an Odyssey amp of the same power rating, and it was night and day!! The receiver is running the surrounds still though.

That Theta looks like a beast...interesting that it's designed to be upgraded indefinitely, and configurable according to the level of quality I want in the DACs'.

I've heard good about Meridian as well. Analog 2 channel isn't critical, all my sources are digital. (which to many people may mean that 'good 2 channel' is defacto impossible, I realize, but humor me ;) )

I'd noticed the Emotiva before, and they have a good bang-for-buck rep. I'm not in a rush, just looking ahead, and garnering info/opinions on those who've been there/ done that, as opposed to reviewers who love everything. Did I read they are already overdue to release this piece?

I had wondered if a separate, higher quality pre amp might be necessary. From what I've read, many think it is. Curious about how an integrated would work - I could use that as the main 2 channel amp whether I was using the pre (in 2 channel), or the outboard processor (in HT)?

Thanks all! Keep the info coming...I far prefer real-world feedback to magazine hype. A 'goner recommended my 2 channel amp in a thread like this, a name I'd never heard of (Odyssey), and I found one from a different 'goner for sale, a Stratos, and it's been wonderful, a real revelation, so I'm looking for more real users to help me past the hype and (to me) confusing specs and feature lists.

Soix, You bring up some good points. Getting a single piece that covers both applications only to the degree I want without overkill would be a big ask

Yeah, I'm liking that idea more and more. I was in fact looking at Emotiva and Outlaw processors last night. Basic, which is good, but apparently up to the sound quality of the majority of processors out there. I'm also wondering with the esoteric units if I'd have the speakers and room to realize their superiority.

Anything I need to look for specifically in a good pre' to accommodate the processor hook up? Or will they all hook up? My only sources so far are DirecTV and my Oppo, although a computer will be in the future once I learn more about the best way to implement that.

Ok, more good options. Thanks. I am thinking of having all separate amplification (either one 7 channel, or adding a 5 channel to my current 2), so an avr with amps would be redundant - I just can't help thinking outboard amps are a better way to go, given my past experiences. My Yamaha AVR held it's own well in comparison to the outboard Yamaha amp I was using, but switching that for a higher quality outboard made a huge difference.