Which came first, the chicken or the egg

Kt, any word if that Lexicon will have an analogue direct function, allowing my SACD players analogue outs a straight path, without further digital processing?

Thanks Kirk...hmmm... Now, where can I get a few grand extra?

Leafs, I don't think you would agree with your own comments if you were at my place listening to my 5 channel set up. Point is that with carefully chosen components and cabling, a 5 channel system can easily compete with a great 2 channel rig. Vinyl is alive and well, but a versatile 5 channel system is already competitive, and will overtake vinyl at some point. When 5 channel SACD or DVD-A is really fine tuned, stereo will seem lethargic. Don't get me wrong, I am a supporter of analogue and digital formats, but a reality check is in order. Blob, where you start is in the room. The size affects your choice of gear. What are the dimensions of the room you are shopping for? Many of the components J.T. mentioned earlier would serve well for two channel and multi- channel uses.

Leafs, I don't think you would agree with your own comments if you were at my place listening to my 5 channel set up. Point is that with carefully chosen components and cabling, a 5 channel system can easily compete with a great 2 channel rig. Vinyl is alive and well, but a versatile 5 channel system is already competitive, and will overtake vinyl at some point. When 5 channel SACD or DVD-A is really fine tuned, stereo will seem lethargic. Don't get me wrong, I am a supporter of analogue and digital formats, but a reality check is in order. Blob, where you start is in the room. The size affects your choice of gear. What are the dimensions of the room you are shopping for? Many of the components J.T. mentioned earlier would serve well for two channel and multi- channel uses.

Hi Leafs, I think the point I was mentioning will be sooner than 5 years. I appreciate just how well served we have been by records and stereo equipment, but certainly that can't be the last word. Stereo itself was a compromise. If I am not mistaken, those who designed the first stereo set ups wanted a third channel, but though it impractical for public acceptance at that time. I have heard some fantastic vinyl rigs directly compared to SACD, and both had certain aspects that were superior to the other. Vinyl edged out the 2 channel SACD player by a nose. It is still early in the lifespan of that technology, and that was before 5 channel SACD was introduced. Of course there will be silly approaches to mixing for 5 channels, but engineers will get the hang of it , and when a recording is done from start to finish with 5 channel SACD or DVD-A in mind, with top artists and engineers I don't think even the best vinyl rigs will be as impressive. It just takes too much money for the average audiophile to get to that level right now. Yes, I can see the day coming when 10.2 channels will be the norm for high end Home Theater/surround audio, but should we stop progress just because it seems like overkill today? I bet in 30 years there will be a thin panel or two that hangs on the wall and excites the room, reproducing absolutely realistic audio, kind of like Star Trek (pardon the analogy), and all those bulky speakers will go in the trash, but until then, I am planning my 5.1 system for growth, and am ready for two more channels or 5.1 more channels if needs be. I get a real kick out of sounding better than any theater I've been to, and having a damn good 2 channel playback when I am in that mood, (which is quite often) I just hope I have a bigger apartment by then! By the way, I doubt anyone ever bought a CD player thinking "now I have perfect sound forever". Also the last time heard 140 watt Vac monoblocks run out of steam when really cranked, the distortion was as annoying as any obvious distortion. What kind of distortion are you talking about? The only obvious solid state distortion I have heard is when it starts beating up an anemic speaker.

Hey AG, what happened to my "edit this post"? I really appreciate being able to amend an error or two.

Leafs, it is probably better that you wait a while longer before jumping into the higher end of home theater/2channel because the better manufacturers are only beginning to catch up with the newest surround formats that Denon already accomodated in their AVR-5800. I heartily recommend a REL sub, as it can be set up for reciving both the speaker out direct, or the .1 subwoofer out. This alows precise set up for stereo listening and 5.1 audio. At their website (www.rel.net) there is a review of the Strata II by Robert Harley that is worth reading, the same can be said of the Strata III or the Stadium series. Also,you really should try to have all your speakers from the same manufacturer for 5, or 6. I am in the process of switching to Musical Fidelity gear and find it to be a worthy challenger to some very good analogue systems. BLOB..., that is kind of a "medium" sized room you are working with and you can probably be satisfied with a 200 Watt per channel Classe` or Theta amp. I don't think you need a monster 400 watt per channel amp. You could probably use the Conrad Johnson or Musical Fidelity 120 per channel amps to great satisfaction, but if budget permits the former are probably best. The JM Labs are very "amp sensitive" , and really need to be well matched. I have heard them sound dull and uninvolving with Krell amplification and absolutely gorgeous with Lamm monoblocks. They are one of many very good choices, but my first choice would have been the whole Aeriel set up. When you say you are closing a deal, but can get out of it if you change your mind, I have no problem with that at all. Sounds like your on the way to a great system. Good luck.