In my mind, the whole issue gets a little tricky when you factor in the sonic advantages of the new multi-channel formats (HD-DVD / Blu-ray) that are at our doorstep. I have an older integrated amp based system that I've used for 2 channel audio and HT. I decided it was time to upgrade and decided to create a completely new 2 channel system for audio and use my existing components for HT until the whole high-definition format battle finds a winner. (It seems to me like a real poor time to upgrade HT electronics due to the format war and also that you'll want HDMI 1.3 to take full advantage of the new formats). I tend to buy the best equipment I can afford and keep if for a long time. Also my use and passion is about 2/3 audio and 1/3 video.
So I've spent a lot of time on A'gon, reading the industry rags, and auditioning equipment. Now that I've figured out what I want for a 2 channel system and have started to get serious about looking for the various components on A'gon, I'm also getting a little "anxious" that the new uncompressed formats will offer such superior sonics that one of the new formats (likely Blu-ray)will leave me kicking my own arse that I put all that money into a separate 2 channel system instead of waiting to put together a killer "combo" system. This has gotten much more complicated that it needs to be. Audio neurosis.
So I've spent a lot of time on A'gon, reading the industry rags, and auditioning equipment. Now that I've figured out what I want for a 2 channel system and have started to get serious about looking for the various components on A'gon, I'm also getting a little "anxious" that the new uncompressed formats will offer such superior sonics that one of the new formats (likely Blu-ray)will leave me kicking my own arse that I put all that money into a separate 2 channel system instead of waiting to put together a killer "combo" system. This has gotten much more complicated that it needs to be. Audio neurosis.