I haven't personally listened to the MHT100 (that's the correct model number, and one in very nice shape is listed on A-goN out of Edina MN @ $2500 from a dealer - you can look it up). However, it is not what most folks would consider a "traditional" Mc and I suspect you would find the sound only OK and the resale value modest. It is also more than "a couple of years" old. More like 5 or 10. You should do some searches and find a bunch more info on it just to be confident you understand what it's all about.
I believe your wife has a gifted ear. Rotel makes decent stuff, but when my wife and I auditioned a Rotel CD unit versus a McIntosh MVP861, she immediately exclaimed "even I can hear the difference!" Look up my system and you'll see where we ended up going. It has been my experience that when you have China-o-fi versus hi-fi, hi-fi wins every time no matter where it's made (Quad being an example of hi-fi made in China, IMO).
Under the circumstances, you may want to rethink your approach and consider separates. HDMI throughput in the preamp section is convenient, but not essential. Most displays have multiple HDMI inputs, so you can use the HDMI to run A/V directly from your various sources to the display and use the optical or S/PDIF from the player/satellite/cable to get the sound to the surround system. That means the MX134 or 135 can do the surround lifting while also having solid 2 channel ability. Amplification can be a single multichannel or 2 stereo + 1 mono units for 5.1, and you have a whole world of choices there. The B&W CM series speakers aren't power pigs like some of the others they make, so you can be more modest with power to start and then work your way up as budget allows.
Just my 2 cents. The most important thing is to have fun - if you're stressing out on it, you're doing something wrong. Good luck!
I believe your wife has a gifted ear. Rotel makes decent stuff, but when my wife and I auditioned a Rotel CD unit versus a McIntosh MVP861, she immediately exclaimed "even I can hear the difference!" Look up my system and you'll see where we ended up going. It has been my experience that when you have China-o-fi versus hi-fi, hi-fi wins every time no matter where it's made (Quad being an example of hi-fi made in China, IMO).
Under the circumstances, you may want to rethink your approach and consider separates. HDMI throughput in the preamp section is convenient, but not essential. Most displays have multiple HDMI inputs, so you can use the HDMI to run A/V directly from your various sources to the display and use the optical or S/PDIF from the player/satellite/cable to get the sound to the surround system. That means the MX134 or 135 can do the surround lifting while also having solid 2 channel ability. Amplification can be a single multichannel or 2 stereo + 1 mono units for 5.1, and you have a whole world of choices there. The B&W CM series speakers aren't power pigs like some of the others they make, so you can be more modest with power to start and then work your way up as budget allows.
Just my 2 cents. The most important thing is to have fun - if you're stressing out on it, you're doing something wrong. Good luck!