@aldcoll,
My experience with Bluray is minimal. I've only been at it for a few days.
There is a handshake HDMI protocol which allows high resolution output. It won't work from a coaxial or optical feed. If you try to rip a copy, it will be of lower resolution. That's all I know at this time. You have to own a disc.
The reason I mentioned big amps is due to its huge dynamic range. My two small tube amps clipped more noticibly. I found that the increased clarity and dynamics encouraged me to crank it up more. The differences between low volume sounds and high volume sounds is significantly increased. My current speakers are about 95Db @ 1W1M. I don't own a large tube amp. When I plugged in a big SS amp, the dynamics were reproducible without clipping.
So far, I find Bluray audio remarkable. I think it's closer to the sound the artist hears in the control room mix down more so than other formats. I haven't had the time to compare formats, but this is my early findings.
steve