If we are lucky, the next step will be the new HDMI protocol. And some Fluff. I didn't know anything about I^2S until now... looks cool, but I've only had a cursory read.
Some modular is available, but customization comes at a cost!.
I'd happily accept a 16 Channel, Dirac enabled AVR with 8-fully Assignable Amps.
But that's just me, and I just typed that fantasy into another thread minutes ago!