Thanks for the helpful responses on my question of using the 950 with my existing receiver. I have been doing a lot (and I do mean A LOT) of reading about what will be my next move in HT. I've been a satisfied Denon user since 1989 and would almost automatically continue on that road if it weren't for the glowing reviews, both press and individual, for the 950/7100 combo. I understand the inherent advantages of separates, but a particular feature and financial considerations make me hesitant. Music is as important, if not moreso, as films to me and the Denon offers a feature that I like very much. I can A/B surround speakers so my film speakers can be dipole (allegedly better for film) and my music speakers can be direct radiating, (allegedly better for music and the only type I've ever had). My question, and I know it's subjective, is: Can dedicated dipole/bipole speakers deal well with music, particularly multichannel formats, and/or do direct radiators perform the film surround work well enough to leave aside dipole/bipoles? (I'm considering a set from Axiom and one from Paradigm that each feature dipoles) My other question regards price. Will the extra flexibility of the 950's bass management offset 500$ of extra price (the Denon provides about the same power as the 7100)? To me the AVR-3803 and the 950/7100 combo are the closest competitors that I've read about and will probably be the last two for me to choose from. (Also considering NAD and Integra) Any comments?

Thanks for indulging a newbie's long post.