In my experience a well done Bluray absolutely trounces even the best DVDs.
Now if your setup does not show the benefits of 1080p I could see how some folks don't get it. Just like folks without resolving systems don't get SACD/DVD-A
www.carltonbale.com
my case now is to run 100-150 ma per output device, using half the ouput devices per board
I guess, if someone (you, digger or J4CBO) could send my the final parts list, I can start the research for the parts buy.
I can't say how it compares to the DMC-1, but sonically I think it sounds great with all formats,
and the Audyssey room eq really works well as does the optional dynamic eq!
Not sure about your second question
A little overkill but a kick ass receiver with the latest HDMI and hi-def decoding
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1254837919&/denon-3808ci-with-FPU
$600 at this price it won't last long
I have this one in my home theater rig and am totally satisfied