To have the best of both worlds is a 2 box i.e. a DVD5 and a CDS3, integrated into a Home Theatre system,a good compromise?Is it do-able?The rationale is to avoid sacrificing audio quality of CD on the altar of 5.1 audio for film.......Present set-up AV2,DVD5,NAP 250,NAP 150 bi-amped to centre,NAP175,B&W CM2`s,CMC,old Rega ELAs,MK9

Having the CDS3 will sound better than using the DVD5, I'm sure... but to really get the best out of the system you'd probably want a 282 or a 252/SC

then you'd have a 2 channel system:
CDS3/XPS2 (or 555PS) into 282/250 (or 252/SC/250)

Into this you'd be integrating your AV kit:
DVD5 into AV2.... AV2 out to 150/175 and unity gain into above 2 channel setup.

Not cheap, but definately better than just bunging a high-end player through an (admittedly very good) AV processor.

Defintely two lumps if you really want the best of both worlds. It's taken me a LONG time but I think I'm there, bearing in mind that it is never going to be perfect - it IS a compromise.

Nick.

Nick,Hi If do think you are there could you post details of your setup?Also,perhaps the evolutoin of your system.I like Mikes ideas but dont understand how the front L/R can be IN both AV and CD systems,maybe I am just dumb...I like this:
CDS/3,555PS into 252/SC/250
DVD5 into A2,out 150/175
Are both 150 and 250 powering L/R for Film and Music ie DVD and CD respectively?

With a AV+stereo, the L/R AV2 output goes to the preamp's ''unity gain'' input instead of going to the 250.
The stereo system is: cd + preamp+ PSU+ 250 + L/R speakers
the AV system is: DVD5 + AV2 + 150 to center +175 to rears/suround.
Look at your DVD5 user manual, you'll find a connection diagram with a 252/supercap.

Robert,

I actually started with a CD3/72/140/HI-CAP, but the Av side started with a AV2/150/175 fed by the CD3 and a Sony DVD player. After a while I integrated a CDX2/200/202/HI and over the last four years have progressed to:

CD555/552/300 for the pure music part, this is integrated with a DVD5/AV2/145 (Centre Amp)/250.2 (Surround Amp)

As Manu has explained, the 300 , via the unity gain input on the 552 drives the L/R speakers whilst I am watching any media through the AV2, whether that be DVD or Cable TV.

Nick.