combining amp and receiver for HT

Joeb,I have the B&W 805's with the matching center channel speaker, and a REL Strata III. I would get the center channel first, then a sub. You need both for great HT sound, but the addition of a center channel speaker makes the bigger difference in my opinion. I got along just fine before getting the sub. Don't cheap out on the center, get the HTM I or II, as they are voice matched, and up to the task of carrying the majority of movie dialogue, after all, when mixing for 5.1 engineers plan on your having a center channel speaker, and gear their mixes with that in mind.

Definately start with a v. good center but add a sub ASAP.

OK, thanks for all the feedback. It basically confirms what I thought, I really need both a center and a sub for the real deal on HT. But, can those also be used to augment stereo music using the receiver in Logic7music mode?
Or, if I had a decent pre-amp, can you use it to run a sub? The BW N804's are great highs and mids but really lack in the bass department so it would be nice to enhance that with a sub.
Joeb

absolutely and a "nice pre-amp" will do the crossover for you. You can have one setting for H/T (higher crossover) giving you more BANGGGG and another setting (lower cross over) for added bass to stereo. I do this in my H/T system with positive results.