Any "Deadhead" audiophiles out there to help

You've got more speakers there than I can conceive of!!!!

I assume that you are using your Pioneer 7-ch AV receiver to run some of them, and that you want to continue to do so (zoned music system) - so I wouldn't recommend getting rid of your receiver. Your receiver is essentially a pre/pro with amplifiers built in - though perhaps not the best amplifiers for critical listening. So - I suggest keep your receiver and use it for feeding all those peripheral speakers. Feed the receiver digitally from the Oppo. For critical music listening, either take the analog out from your Oppo or another digital out, and feed it to a 2ch system with a HT passthrough. This could be a good tubed preamp with HTpass feeding to a new amplifier or using 4 channels of your existing B&K (for biamping), or a good integrated. If you take digital out of the Oppo, you'll need a decent DAC as well.

Since your source is purely digital, another option would be to get a DAC/Preamp for your 2ch system with a single set of analog inputs to take music from your Pioneer receiver. You run the Oppo digital into it for 2ch music and the analog into it for HT - just choose a volume setting for analog to set your speaker balance with. Output from the DAC/pre can either go to the B&K amp or a nicer one.

Just some thoughts. Also, if you are used to listening with more than 2 speakers for music, there is no guarantee that you'll like a pure 2ch setup better. In this case, you can be feeding digital to both the 2ch setup and the receiver (controlling the rest of your speakers) and you can manually add in the surround system to supplement the 2ch to get that "concert sound". This is not very conveniant though, as everytime you change volume the balance gets thrown off.

Let us know what you come up with. Best, Peter

I don't know if your living space can accomodate, but Vandersteen 2CE signatures and Vandersteen subs together can be quite satisfying and not too hard to drive. You need to be able to pull the speakers away from the wall by a couple of feet though. I've been impressed with this many times. You may want something more detailed though, given your enjoyment of B&W's. Something to consider.

Are you using fully digital sources or do you have any analog sources? That could affect the W4S recommendation above.

I'm thinking something like this:

FOR 2CH MUSIC LISTENING: Oppo goes to 2ch DAC ($500) into either preamp or integrated amp with HT bypass. The unit should have a spare set of variable outputs. That way, if you want to embellish the 2ch recordings with your other speakers, you take the variable out from the pre/int and send it to an analog input on your Pioneer receiver. Figure out a fixed volume for the Pioneer, and then the whole shebang is volume adjusted with your 2ch pre/int. Depending on which fronts you use, you may not be biamping. I figure you've got to spend atleast about $1200 to get a decent preamp. Please specify whether you have any aversion to tubes, and whether you require a remote control.

FOR HT WATCHING AND SURROUND SOUND LISTENING: OPPO source goes into your Pioneer Receiver. Analog front channel outs got to HT bypass in your 2ch pre/int, which essentially gives up control to the receiver.

You can use your B&K amp initially for the fronts. The amp you ultimately get will depend on which speakers you ultimately choose, and the synergy b/t them.

For reference, may want to check out the new Parasound JC-2 Bypass preamplifier with HT passthrough.