Agree entirely. More than half of system investment.
I try to minimize clutter in the family room where the HT lives. Processor and Roku live on floating shelf while power amp and BR player are found in hidden closet behind pictures near right speaker. Cables go through floor and back wall. Power outlet for stats on floor behind each. Surrounds mounted on wall and kitchen column with cables similarly hidden.
My digital library of audio and video alike lives in a toaster sized NAS.
My garage is used to house my car when not in use, and my tools and other non-audio junk that I wouldn't want in the house,
Same here. I enjoy listening to music while there. :)
