[dkorbal]

Petronius I get where you are coming from for I have wrestled with that exact thought. When I started out many moons ago there was only 2 channel and as life got in the way (marriage, children, collage, etc., etc.) I found myself at a point where I had two systems, one 2 channel, one 5.1. Neither systems were the quality I have know but a few years ago I decided to get back into the hobby and upgrade. I soon started asking myself what was important to me and this is what I landed on.

"I wanted a system that was enjoyed by my family and when push can to shove two channel was more critical." I don't have unlimited funds for the hobby so combining the two systems allows me to explore better equipment. Also, one system in a room that is used on a regular bases will see more activity. YMMV

I said all that because I believe one must decide where to direct his/her primary attention when building a system. Two channel or Home Theater. Yes SQ is important to both and can be addressed at the same time but many decision will be made that leans one way or the other. Let me give an example I faced. Do I buy an AV receiver/processor and run my two channel through it or a preamp and use passthru. I decided on the c2700 with passthru because I believe it gave me a "better" chance at two channel SQ. Consequently, it also elevated my HT system in the process. A win-win for me. Others may decide on a AVR/Processor because 11 channel movie playback is more important.

In the end, I believe a carefully calculated system which is approached from either two channel or HT will result in elevating both.