I decided a couple weeks ago to go for broke (which I am now) and upgrade the home theater/multi-channel room. In that process for my 2 channel system, I took several years and multiple iterations "up the food chain" to get to the end position (yeah like that ever happens). Figured it would save time and $ to just go to the end position at the outset for the HT.

Started witht he C/J MET-1--an awesome piece. Has no video circuitry (I think most people go direct from their DVD player to the TV with an HDMI anyhow). Has two different sets of 5.1 inputs so you can connect a DVD player and an SACD player if you don't have a single chassis that does double duty. It has a feature called ARM that synthesizes LFE and rear/center channel information from a 2 channel input. It is hard to describe the effect other than to say in many cases it rivals DVD-A and SACD multi-channel for a feeling of spaciousness and ambiance (Ambience Retrieval Mode).

The Edge amps are amazing. They have a red laser inside that fires across the substrate on the circuit board and somehow keeps the bias perfect regardless of how hard you are pushing them. They are Class D so I leave them on all the time and they generate very little heat which was an important consideration for me since everything sits in the cabinet. They have finesse, power, accuracy and the little blue lights look wicked cool in the dark.

Picked up the Oppo to handle video and DVD-A and SACD multi-channel playback and it is an amazing piece for $499...I was kinda impatient and did not want to hold out for the Oppo 95 that is due out soon; that will probably wind up in the system eventually.

The Rega DAC is just simply amazing. I have 600 CDs loaded on an IMac that acts solely as a server in my 2 channel system and stream music up to the HT via a first generation Apple TV. Before the DAC, it sounded pretty good, but there was an edge and harshness to music that I dont hear in my 2 channel system. After the DAC, that is gone, and the system upstairs comes close to the 2 channel in terms of PRAT, dept and width of soundstage and clarity while in normal 2 channel mode, and is in a league by itself with the ARM function.

I go on speaker buying binges, and had all Martin Logan (Summit, Ascent, Aerius, Scenario, Cinema) in the house for a while and have gradually migrated to Revel (with the exception of the 2 M/L subs which sound just fine).

The matching of the 3 front amps and all five speakers really gives me a seamless and nearly infinite soundstage...when the C/J is in the ARM setting you are enveloped by sound, so distinct and clear that it is just amazing.

So, eventually I'll get a bigger TV (present one is 46 inches) and figure out how to hang it on the wall rather than sit on a stand, and then I should be done. Unless I want to go with all Pro Sliway for interconnects, and standardize the power cord assortment (it is a menagerie of what I've collected over the years--Granite, MIT, DH Labs, VH Audio, Tekline, Silver Audio)...there is always something to improve I guess.