i like the idea of building your system a bit at a time as well. Frankly on a bang for the buck standpoint not all elements are equal. If I had to do it I would go 2.1 to start with. Add surrounds later to go 4.1 and finish with a center last to hit 5.1. If you start with a compromise now that you are not exactly happy with you will always be bugged and now you have a built in hindrance to getting where you want to be, that is to say you will need to dump the old and get all new. Note that a good 2.1 system will serve you well as there is not really that much content on the rears (in most films) and good fronts will easily deal with the dialog tracks.
Ideal Complete System for $5000
If you had $5000 for a system (5.1 Speakers, pre/pro/receiver, amplifier) that you would use for watching movies (60%) and enjoying music (40%), what will you get?
I like B&W and was all set to get 803S/HTM-3S, Velodyne and Rotel based system - but some other stuff has taken priority and will not be able to get something like that for another 4-5 yrs.
Until then what would be the best system you can set up for about 5K?
I like B&W and was all set to get 803S/HTM-3S, Velodyne and Rotel based system - but some other stuff has taken priority and will not be able to get something like that for another 4-5 yrs.
Until then what would be the best system you can set up for about 5K?