tls really knows his AV stuff, and that marantz would be a great way to go. another way to do it for similar cash is i am very happy with my new denon 4311CI. not as pretty as the marantz i admit. but you get the newest audyssey (XT-32) and it can function as a regular AVR for now, and later you could buy an external power amp if you think you need to and run it in preamp only mode which switches off it's internal amps.