mark34

I am going to be using Klipsch Ultra 2 set up with new dedicated home theater under construction. This is a large room: about 23 X 19 with 11' ceilings. I plan to use a JVC RS-1 on a 123" fixed screen. I have a pretty decent budget for equipment, originally budgetting for McIntosh MX207 7 channel amp with MX119 prepro. This is almost $12K. I have decided to spend more for room treatment than originally planned. I am hesitating to spend so much on electronics, especially given technology changes. I consider Amps to be stable long term pieces, but pre-pros have obsolescene issues. How important do people feel it is to match the amp and pre-pro? Is it a brand or "flavor" of sound issue? I would love to find a strong combination that mates well with the Ultra 2 Klipsch speakers since they tend a touch towards bright. I would also love to find something in the $6 to $8K combined range. Can I do so and still have a "no limits" beautiful sounding great system? By the way, it will be almost 100% home theater as opposed to 2 channel audio. One of the most promising bang for the buck combos I have read about is the NAD Masters Series (M15/M25). Any thoughts on how well these would work with the Klipsch Ultra 2? How much better would the McIntosh set-up be? Any other thoughts? The Arcam AV9 looks amazing, but is actually a more expensive pre-pro. I would like at least some HDMI switching (NAD has 2, no processing), though I can do that outboard if necessary. Had thought about the DVDO VP50, but the JVC has pretty good VP.What about perhaps a less expensive prepro combined with the McIntosh amps, and then buy a new pre-pro when the dust settles a bit on HDMI 1.3 and TrueHD, etc. I would appreciate any thoughts on the above, particularly on the NAD Masters Series. That seems like incredible gear for $6K. Only 160W per channel, but apparently that is conservative and it has stronger peak ability and the Klipsch is quite efficient. How do I find out if an amp/pre-pro combination is "warm", which I believe is what I am looking for with this speaker system. Thanks. Mark