I realize you want advice on this matter, but let me start the discussion by asking you why you want 7.1, as opposed to 5.1. The 7.1 format requires more speakers and more amplification channels (all of which means more money), with very little or nothing that improves over 5.1.
DVD releases for the vast majority of movies are in 5.1, and ALL of the audio-only releases (SACD & DVD-A) are 5.1. The consensus of opinion among Hollywood recording engineers is that they see little likelihood that 7.1 will supplant 5.1. For a more informed opinion on this matter, see the following link from Bryston's website which contains commentary by Dennis Sands, one of Hollywood's leading soundtrack engineers:
http://www.bryston.ca/newsletters/64_files/vol6is4.html
And for an additional point of view, click here, and then scan down to the middle article titled "Encode vs. Decode":
http://www.bryston.ca/newsletters/55_files/vol5is5.html
Obviously, it is your decision whether to implelemt 7.1 rather than 5.1, but if you are just starting out and have a budget of $3k or less (which is not a lot for a full HT system), you will get a lot more "bang for your buck" by starting with 5.1 and upgrading at a later date. Rather than buying MORE speakers on your budget, I'd recommend getting BETTER speakers for your system, driven by better amplication, as you indicate that you also want the system to be your primary audio playback system.
DVD releases for the vast majority of movies are in 5.1, and ALL of the audio-only releases (SACD & DVD-A) are 5.1. The consensus of opinion among Hollywood recording engineers is that they see little likelihood that 7.1 will supplant 5.1. For a more informed opinion on this matter, see the following link from Bryston's website which contains commentary by Dennis Sands, one of Hollywood's leading soundtrack engineers:
http://www.bryston.ca/newsletters/64_files/vol6is4.html
And for an additional point of view, click here, and then scan down to the middle article titled "Encode vs. Decode":
http://www.bryston.ca/newsletters/55_files/vol5is5.html
Obviously, it is your decision whether to implelemt 7.1 rather than 5.1, but if you are just starting out and have a budget of $3k or less (which is not a lot for a full HT system), you will get a lot more "bang for your buck" by starting with 5.1 and upgrading at a later date. Rather than buying MORE speakers on your budget, I'd recommend getting BETTER speakers for your system, driven by better amplication, as you indicate that you also want the system to be your primary audio playback system.