I'm planning to purchase the 950 within the next few weeks. My main use of my current system is 60/40 (music/ht). How does the 950 perform with 2-channel music. From my research, there are lots of good reviews/comments ht use. Any suggestion to improve my current setup will be appreciated.

HK AVR210 (preamp)
Parasound HC855A
PSB Bronze (Bi-amp mains)
PSB 5Ci center channel
PSB 1B surrounds (powered by AVR210)
HK FL8380 cd-player

I am perfectly happy with the 950 for stereo playback. I'm not left wanting at all. You may not be as happy with it as I am.

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Philip Hamm

I agree. I might have liked the DACs in my player a little bit more than those in the 950, but the 950 is good enough for 2 ch playback to avoid the hassle of constantly switching back and forth from the digital inputs to the 6 ch bypass all the time.

Kevin & Philip,

According to the reviews in magazines that I've read, all the reviewers recommend 2 channel playback using the Stereo bypass/direct mode. Does it really make that much difference in your experience with the 950?

This seems like a good thread to seek advice...
I currently have a BK components pro-10mc preamp and a proton D-1200 100 watt 2-channel amp (early 90s equipment), running through mid-80s KEF 103.2 speakers and a M&K MX125 MkII sub. I want to retain/improve my preference in 2-channel listening, but would like to expand the system to also be a great home theater. Will the 950, paired with my KEFs and M&K sub (and a new center and surrounds to best match), give me great 2-channel stereo (hopefully considerably better than the BK/Proton setup that I have now). I am curretly using a inexpensive Panasonic RV31K DVD player for CD playback. The hope is that a digital connection will bypass the Panasonics DAC, also adding a benefit. If the stereo bypass mode of the 950 is as important as some have suggested, I had also better get a better CD player or outboard DAC (but a digital connection utilizing the DACs of the 950 would save me a few $$$).
The other big question I have is how much better would the 755 amp sound compared with the 7100 for 2-channel CD listening? I am not sure that I need 200 watts for all channels, but am guessing that it would improve the music playback on the front channels? I do have the option of getting the 755 and supplementing with the Proton to get 7 channels (should I want them) without incurring the additional expense of the 770.
I wouldn't expect the 7100 to equal the sound of the 755, but could I expect "comparable" results (again, 2-channel music more important than HT). The 7100 would save me a few bucks AND give me all 7 channels in 1 box.
Any experience/suggestions greatly appreciated!
p.s. Options that I have explored in recent weeks (in my home), are the new NAD T762 receiver, Rotel 1055 receiver, and the Denon 3803 receiver. Although these had nice sound, I am wanting (correction- NEED more!)

Forgot to include on my previous post:
Being as I am looking at the $2,000 price range, should I also be considering the Rotel 1065 and Denon 4802R receivers as contenders to the 950/755 or 950/7100 combos? Are the separates going to sound notably better just because they are separates, or will either of these two receivers (or others that I am not aware of) give them an even run for the money (primarily for 2-channel music)?