My wife is about to chunk the HT system out the window and get one of those DVD-TV all-in-one combo units.

I understand her frustration -- it's still too difficult "as a system" to easily transition from watching TV, to recording a show via VHS, to playing a CD, to listening to FM stereo. How I wish the AVR could "detect" the source and adjust the outputs accordingly, that is, she puts in a CD and the controller automatically configures to "Stereo" mode. She puts in a DVD, it adjusts to DVD DolbyDigital mode. She puts in a VHS, it switches over to VHS/Pro-logic mode.

Additionally, for all the hours and hours of research, setup and configuring, the system sounds wierdly muffled. I have a Denon 3300AVR with Monitor Audio Silver3 front LR speakers, the corresponding MA center and bi-directional surrounds. I think the disappointing sound quality is the last straw for her. "My old $120 Sony receiver and BOSE 301s have more life in them! Please let me take them out of the attic" I don't know if the MA speakers are hard to drive or I have a bum AVR, I have to admit it's not impressive, especially playing a CD.

So I figure I have a month to SIMPLIFY the system and make it sound a little better.

For simplicity:
I'm pretty sure I will get the either the DISH Network PVR or a TIVO -- that will get the damn (composite video) VCR out of the loop and standardize ALL components on S-Video. That will reduce the complexity alot (right?) A friend told me about a Phillips Remote Control that looks like a Palm and handles macros very well -- can replace all the other remotes and program macros. In terms of easy operation and layout, how is the 950? Any other suggestions for sharing a system with the spouse?

The wierd slightly muffled sound:
No matter how 'loud' it gets, it sounds repressed, like there's a thin wall in front of the speakers. I'm wondering whether to replace the Denon, or get a seperate AMP to work along side the Denon (bypassing the Denon's amp section). Or maybe replace the MA speakers with more efficient speakers?

I can't spend a lot of time on this like I did the first time around. Hell -- I'm almost ready to rip it all out and give the combo unit with a red ribbon on top to make her happy. As you can tell -- I'm kinda frustrated with it also. Any ideas would be most appreciated.

Thanks