Auxetophone, Thsnk you but Boulder and Soulution aren't the right Solution for me. When I spend 50k on something, it better appreciate, not depreciate.
I do not feel anything lacking. I like the speaker/sub/room combo very much and would like to improve on it, working backwards.
I already have the (very good) C2200 McIntosh pre (Mullards and Telefunkens) sitting unused which more or less tells you the budget level I'm at. 3 to 6 k for an amp I can rationalize. Too much diminishing return TO MY EARS above that price range.
A tubed pre with solid state amp is what I'm repeatedly drawn back to.
I love the tube amps but they're like "divas" and I don't have time for that at this point in my life. As it is, I live in a house full of women.