Ok, it's a good year at work and the profit sharing will yeild a very healthy xmas bonus. So it's time to look at upgrading the home theatre sound system.

Here's what I got.

Pair M80's
One VP150
Pair Qs8's
One EP500
One Oppo - DV981HD
One Panasonic PT-AU900
One Rotel RSP 1066 pre amp/processor
One Audio Trak 100w 6 channel perfessional grade power amplifer with balanced XLR outputs.

It really sounds awsome, but lets have a bit of fun. What is the weekest link in the chain here and lets assume I have up to $1500 to spend. I don't mind buying used on Ebay if it's in good shape and it comes from a company with a good rep. like Rotel or Bryston or etc.

Room size is 17' x 25' x 9'

My thoughts

1. A 2nd EP500, more bass is never a bad thing, is it?
2. Upgrade the Rotel to a pre amp/processor that has 24/192 DAC's over the 1066's 24/96, and A/D convertes from 20/48 to 24/96. Also use balanced XLR cables to the Audio Trac which is not supported by the 1066? Would I hear a difference?
3. A 2nd vp150 and 2 additional QS8's to go 7.1 from my existing 5.1.
4. Leave it alone cause I will have to spend way to much to get marginal improvments and better buy the wife diamond earings for Xmas for brownie points.

You thoughts are welcome.

EP500.

Brownie points then next year you can get the latest and greatest 2 items which will be better than what you could get now. HD-DVD/BR war might be might be straightened out by then.

I think Axiom has some v3's coming out, as well as a new speaker model that is bigger and better than the M80s.

Why not a high-def player? They've come down pretty well in terms of price and even if you don't want to replace your current discs you can enjoy rentals....

And considering the price, you could STILL do the 500 or earrings....

I thought about that, Blu Ray or HD DVD? See, this is the delima.

What Dilemma? HD DVD!

I remember being at the plant during the BBQ in the summer of 2005 and seeing a box with 9 holes in it. 3 tweeters, 3 mids, and 3 woofers. I asked Ian about it as he walked by, he laughed and said "R&D, thats our Kilowatt speaker!" I'm Not sure if its comming or not, but nobody needs a full Kilowatt speaker in there home. At least not unless you want to end up like Pete Townsend.

Jeeze, why have you been holding out on us for over 2 YEARS!!!!