You are usually better off with separates.
1. If you buy separate amplifiers....they can last you a lifetime if of quality build design.
2. The pre-pro section with audio/video decoding is usually the first to become obsolete...it is nice to be able to change this when needed-without changing the whole system.
3. Speakers can last you a lifetime- again buy a set of high quality units. I have a set of Polk monitors from 1984 (RT12) which still produce a very audio to this day. You may want to upgrade these someday, but at least they can be used elsewhere.
4. Source components die or become obsolete as soon as the next years models are available- and they tend to become cheaper and better as time goes on. Nice to be able to change these out too if needed. You can then move the older (obsolete) unit to another television for use by the Kids, etc.
Just my opinion on these matters.
BTW: I have only heard the Polk units, they generally have a nice tonal balance to them...look for multiple reviews of the equipment. I would not rely upon only one reviewers input.
