Please give me your 2 cents...budget 30-50k

B&W fans I have a question everyone seems to be high on the 802's. What are the opinons of the N801 and 800 Sig. are they a major step up? Obviously staying with quality amps and processing. Anyone heard the Dynaudio stuff, C-4's or other? Thanks.

Haven't heard the N801's, so can't comment. Another speaker I would
recommend is the Joseph Audio Pearl.

Sabailey: In comparing the B&W 802 & 800 I have found similarities. In both models it is easier to produce a sound spectrum that is more seamless top to bottom (to my deaf ears, of course) than with the 801. In the 801 the difficulty I had (at a friend's house) was to get rid of the sub-woof's dominance in the lower mid region. Not so with the other two.

Although I would definitely choose the 800 over the 802 (for more extension, an "effortless" mid-range, higher spls & dynamic possibilities...), the price differential is important...

In a similar vein, another British manufacturer that you may consider is Tannoy: I listen to classical so, IMO, Tannoy's top models are better performers than the B&W equivalents. Their Dimension series apparently is conceived for dual, home theatre/audio, use. Good as the TD12 is (the only model I know rather well), the Prestige & Kingdom series have better (musically) offerings.
Good luck

Video, my theory on video is to buy at the last possible second and buy the cheapest projector you can use and still enjoy watching your material. The reason for this is technology changes so fast, you will probably want a new projector in 3 years no matter how much you spend on it.

Audio. I think you should also check out the vandersteen line.

Specifically
2 5A's or 5's
2 or4 VSM Sig surrounds, with 2 2WQ subwoofers
1 LFE Sub, your choice :). Make it one that can kick but though, as you will have all the "musical" subs you will ever need.

With this setup, you will have flat frequency response in all speaker positions down to 20HZ. You will also be able to play music every bit as well as HT.

As far as amps go, I had good results with the Theta Dreadnaught II. My system is like the one described above.

As far as prepros go, If you are really serious about music, I would get a cheaper prepro and buy a high quality cd player and a good 2 channel preamp. You will get better sound in 2 channel than the best SSP can provide and you will spend a lot less. If you just want one box to do it all and not try to optimize your 2 channel sq, I would look into Theta, Meridian and Lexicon. You will be giving up a lot of sound/$ spent by doing this in my opinion though. I own a Theta btw...

If you're going to go the cheaper surround processor route -- I would suggest the Anthem AVM20. Much less expensive than the Lexicon, and
you have to go up to something like the Lexicon to beat it -- for Home
Theatre. Now, take the savings and buy a two channel pre-amp and you
*will* get better two channel music performance and home theatre performance will also be great. But, i agree -- if you want a one box solution and if Home Theate is of equal or greater importance -- get something like the Lexicon MC12B.