The current system I have was put together in the previous millennium. The Sony receiver is 25 years old... I'm at the point of trying to figure out which questions I should be asking. The first question that comes to mind is are there any mac specific issues that I could use to narrow the field.
It STILL depends on what you want to get out of the system, what it will be used for, and what you like.
Is there a system that plays music well AND does 5.1 reasonably well?
Of course there is, you have to be able to make it into a stereo setup (i.e. 2 speakers) or 2.1 (two speakers and one sub). However, you have to realise that the more speakers, the lesser quality each part will be for the same overall price.
And we STILL haven't figured out, which one you like the better. Or even if you like using headphones (as in "cans") when listening to music (that way you can simply go all-5.1, with no regards to anything else.
As far as money goes, I'm looking for a system similar to the MacBook (a decent system that has very good value).
Still quite a loose ball park figure. What are we talking here? How good do you want it? One could argue that if bought at much lower than retail, even a 4000 dollar (or double that) is a "decent" system. It really does depend on your demands and, of course, your wallet.
Anyway, if you're looking to buy something for under, say, 400, I'd certainly not even go 2.1, but use that money for two speakers only active, preferably (you won't need an amplifier as a go-between.
