Although I am starting with plain stereo, down the line I will need to hook up a bunch of sources and I hope to end up with 5.1 speakers.

My plans are:

Phase 1 (hopefully very soon now):
A pair of M80s driven by an Emotiva XPA-2. Source will be Squeezebox Touch. No preamp.

Phase 2 (by Christmas?):
Add a sub-woofer.

Phase 3:
Add TV, Blu-ray player, TiVo and Xbox. Will need a HT pre/processor at this point.

Phase 4:
Add surrounds & center. Will need an XPA-3 at this point.

Eventually my sources will be:
- Blu-ray player (HDMI)
- TiVo HD (HDMI)
- XBox 360 (HDMI)
- Nintendo Wii (S-Video/Component)
- Squeezebox Touch (RCA audio only)
- A media player? (HDMI)

The Emotiva UMC-1 looks ideal on paper, but I am seeing some pretty negative opinions on many forums. Mostly to do with software bugs, it seems.

What other devices should I look at?
The sound quality must be good (in line with XPA-2 + M80).
Price should be below US$2000, preferably more like the UMC-1 ($700).
Not really interested in tubes for maintenance reasons.


Axiom M80s + QS8s + VP180 <-- Pioneer VSX-1120-K <-- Squeezebox Touch / XBox360 / Oppo BDP-93