Thanks for the replies. AvFan - I am still building and have not "experienced" SACD or DVD-A (I don't get out that much), so I am not sure when of if I will incorporate those elements into the system.

I am pretty sure I have the speakers narrowed down to 2, so the search is moving to the power. I like the idea of getting separates, but the dealers I have talked to have made decent arguments for a receiver. In a way, if the search and decision process was easy, would it still be as fun?