As you know I have never believed very much in 5.1 audio, beileving
that one, two, or three channels were the right number.

Why would you belive this? Have you ever heard a 5.1 system set up
properly?

However 5.1 is
here like it or not. While a rack of McIntosh Industrial, Manley, or
Fairchild tube monoblocs would be attractive to look at, it really
isn't a practical idea.

Not evern one or two of them are practical in the view of most people,
they have tubes you know. As a great philosopher once said, "Toobs are
for Boobs.

In fact the only practical power solution as I
see it for 5.1 is the active speaker, having its own active crossover
and multiple amps, and a professional input-AES/EBU digital or +4, 600
ohm balanced in.


Other than the Genelecs, what is out there, besides crappy Behringer
and Mackie prosumo products?


Why do you feel they are crappy, have you heard them?
Perhaps your ears were damaged listening to those horn speakers. :-)