Hello all,

I could use some advice on where to go from here. Follows is an attempt to apply some logic to my current situation.

My current system:
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Luxman R-115 stereo receiver
Oppo 971 DVD player
Rotel RCD-975 CD player
Linn DMS Main speakers (no surrounds, no center)
Toshiba 65NH84 TV (65" rear projection crt, 1080i, HDMI & component inputs)

Component Status:
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Luxman: Only Stereo, only 85 watts per channel (not good for demanding Linn speakers), volume crackles left channel (volume pot needs cleaning perhaps)

Oppo: Just under two years old and reads some discs as "no disc" and some as "unknown disc" and some just fine. This occurs for original and backup (burned) DVDs. Very disappointing to have it cost over $100 a year to have a DVD player.

Rotel: Sounds much better than the OPPO on CDs, is starting to give problems, may just need the laser lens cleaned.

Toshiba: This actually works OK (fingers crossed)

Linn: Great Sounding speakers (currently) at low volume only since the Luxman can't supply enough juice. Isobariks provide mucho bass, so maybe no sub needed. However, they are inefficient (mid 80's) and needs lots of amp, like 6x200 when done active right!

Others: Collecting dust in the closet.

WAS going to get:
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Outlaw 990
Outlaw 7125
Outlaw 2200 (x2)
Rear, Center, Sub speakers as good deals come up.

Plan was to drive the Linns active with four 7125 channels for Mids and highs and the 2200's for bass. Then use the remaining 7125 channels for rear and center channel duties.


What I'm Looking For In A Sound System Today:
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(1) play movies from DVD
(2) play music from Computer (through USB nice but not required)
(3) play music from CD
(4) play movies from Computer
(5) cable box, if I ever subscribe again
(17) maybe do video switching

I no longer care about other inputs:
Phono. Love the sound, hate the work involved.
Tape Deck and Reel to Reel.
DVD-A.
SACD.
LaserDisc.
Video Game Consoles.
HD-DVD.
Blu-Ray.
Any other stuff.

A Dilemma:
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For sources, it would seem that a PC (most music, a la MP3) and a single optical disc player (CD/DVD/whatever else) would fit the bill. If it also did HD and DIVX and other cool stuff, that would merely be serendipity.

If the optical disc player can do the required sound format decoding and video scaling, then I wouldn't need a fancy-pants pre/pro. I'd just need one that can handle 5 (or more) audio channels and, perhaps, do video switching.

Input and processing requirements being rather minimal, I wonder if the Outlaw 990 is going to be massive overkill. Since all my junk seems to be falling apart simultaneously, I'm basically starting over with just a TV and pair of speakers in the system now.

Now, I COULD just go and blow a PILE of cash, but I'm not convinced it would be $ well spent.
$1000 - Outlaw 990
$1000 - Outlaw 7125
$ 650 - Outlaw 2200 (x2)
$ 250 - Oppo 980/981 (or other disc player)
$1000 - Outlaw Bookshelfs (or others, Magnepans?)
$ 700 - Center Channel
$ ??? - Subwoofer
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$4600+

Even if I stay passive on the Linns and let them handle the bass, I'm only saving a on couple of amp channels and maybe an unfactored sub. In fact, the Linns are the only speakers that really need big power: Surrounds and Center Channel at 200 or even 100 wpc? Really? I've got enough hair on my chest that I won't feel inadequate if I don't need big amps for every channel.

So: Amps may be overkill, Pre/Pro may be overkill.

And then surround/center speakers for $1700? Sure, I expect they'll sound great playing music, but as surrounds and center? I'm afraid I'm going to talk myself into a couple 3-way car audio 6x9's dangling from fishing line for surrounds and skip the center and sub altogether.

There's got to be a reasonable solution for significantly less than 4-5 grand! I just can't seem to see it.

Any help, comments, insights, rants, hate mail, threats, quips, and amusing anecdotes are welcome.

P.S. Thanks if you've read this far!!