Smokey, I think the most important channels are the front 3. I used an Onkyo TXDS 797THX receiver as a processor and outboard amps - I liked the sound much better than the Onkyo's internal amps. I used Onkyo M282 2 channel amps, then went to an Onkyo M504 honker for the front 2 and an Anthem PVA5 for the rest. On my office system, I use a Sony TAE9000ES processor and 3 mammoth Yamaha M80 amps. I rarely push more than 10 watts per channel with the Yammies, but holy samolies, they sound beautiful. The big Onk is stressed now that I went from M60 like Michaura M665 towers to a pair of huge Thiel CS3.6s.
One suggestion - buy used, go to ebay or your local classifieds and pick up some real high end 2 channel amps for a modest price.
