Fully balanced XLR outputs and circuitry topology for all channels.

Extra shielded with advanced, ultra low noise, ultra low loss audiophile parts and power supplies. Copper shielding.

At least two (dual differential mode) Wolfsen high end pure 24/192 DAC's (or greater since chips do advance) on all channels for extra horse power and lower distortion. I've been impressed with Wolfsen converter chips since ARCAM started using them and they perform wonderfully.

You may want to look into advanced 32 bit DAC's as INTEL just released 32 bit resolution audio recording and playback capabilities.

Separate processing and D-A conversion for pure DSD signals all the way through for SACD's, and other DSD source material. I would consult with Sony & Philips on proper implementation of pure DSD capable chips and circuitry.

Premium digital master clock for all digital signals to minimize or eliminate jitter. Apogee makes superb digital audio clocks, as an example.

Premium upconversion of all PCM and compressed codec digital signals to 24/192 resolution (or higher if possible).

12+ Channel Discrete capabilities with flexible channel assignment, including multiple stereo subwoofer outputs, extra screen channels, as well as multiple side or back channels/speakers, and the possibility of extra height channels in the near future... all discrete, of course.

Separate bass shaker/tactile transducer outputs with adjustable crossover & slope controls (need not have XLR outputs for these).

Fully adjustable crossover filters and slopes for all channels.

32 Bit audio processing.

At least four HDMI v.2 (or later) inputs with full digital, no-loss A/V switching capabilities. At least four HDMI outputs.

Possible Firewire IEEE 1394b inputs/outputs if need be.

High bandwidth, 8 channel pure analog input with direct to volume bypass mode with no double bass or subwoofer filtering at all. Switchable 80 Hz analog bass crossover for older high resolution players with no built in (or poorly designed) bass management.

Capable of decoding ALL current and upcoming digital surround and high end audio formats including the full MLP slate of functions, Windows Media Audio including their Pro & Windows Media Pro Lossless codecs, DTS++, DTS Lossless, DD++, and fully uncompressed LPCM and DSD. These are all quite possible capabilities of the next generation HD-DVD and Blu-Ray disc formats.

Fully software (user downloadable) and hardware upgradeable.

Extra processing power for future-proofing.