User blog comment:Allgorhythm/My Wife Calls My Study a Playroom/@comment-26175346-20150527103700/@comment-25604735-20150527163331

I use Dreamwing more that Decade but neither in large quantities. When, on the few occasions, I carry a large inventory, I use Dreamwing so I can still move easily without the sluggish effect of being weighed down. I fight Ur-D as a Strider primarily and start out with a load of Blast Arrows. Dreamwing helps.

Most times I use Decade, I don't have to. I try to get my stamina batteries going. Just before the Ur-D fight, I will use Decade, Ne'er do Part, and Liquid Vim in that order. That gives me extra stamina fully charged and a respite before it starts being used. I can then get Ur-D on the defensive. My stamina batteries kick in and I don't have to worry about stamina for the rest of the fight.

In most instances, none of the three is required. However, sometimes a Ranger will decide to dance around Ur-D's feet and I have to work to extricate him or her and get things running smoothly.

With regards to your setup, you may want to consider HDMI matrices, switches, and audio extractors. A simple audio extractor takes an HDMI signal and send the audio to an amplifier like yours that does not have an HDMI input. It sends the video to the HDMI input on your display. Here's an example.

A splitter takes several HDMI inputs and allows you to select the one to send to your display. Basic splitters do not extract the audio. Here's one that does.

An HDMI matrix has multiple HDMI inputs and multiple HDMI outputs. They may or may not incorporate an audio extractor capability. They tend to be pricey. Here's a great deal that includes audio extraction.

Unless you really know what you're doing, it's best to use more than one splitter or extractor. You end up having more flexibility at a better price.

My recommendation, though, is to bite the bullet and get a new amplifier. You can get smart A/V receivers for reasonable prices. Not only will you get the HDMI switching you need with full audio but a 'smart' amplifier is one that connects to your network. This gives you access to internet content and content on your home computer(s) wirelessly. It also gives you more options in distributing the content. Since you have a Yamaha, here's a good deal on a smart Yamaha. The reason the price is so good is you're not getting the current model. This is a great way to cut your expenses in half.

Monitors are dirt cheap especially if you look into the refurbished market. I would recommend a second display. I strongly recommend that it have an audio out. A 3.5mm stereo jack is more than adequate. It can have only one input because, as I showed above, you can get a basic switch for a reasonable price. The main cost driver is screen size. I think, for a secondary monitor, 21" is quite good and that seems to be the sweet spot--display size vs. price.

I would also recommend, before you think of cabinets, to think of your total system. Think in terms of content and how you want to mix and match the content. Once you have determined how you want to experience your multi-media, then you can come up with a very reasonably priced solution. Once you know your A/V equipment, it becomes a lot easier to figure out the right cabinet to minimize clutter.