Most A/V equipment is based on permanent boards. The only change will be that these can be replaced. I have built many computers and tinkered with many stereo analog units and digital A/V pre pro's. I can't see that this architecture would have any effect on sound. If this is not the case Onkyo has made an expensive error. It is an interseting experiment! I really hope it works, because of the flexibility it brings to the A/V world. I have been waiting for 4 years for someone to develope a design like this. Thanks for your input!