Amplifier to complete a 7.1 channel system w/great stereo music performance?


I currently have a 5.1 channel system in my home theater media room using a Rotel RMB-1095 amplifier, which is a 5-channel amp w/200 watts per channel.  I have a Rotel RSP-1069 surround sound processor.  I want to complete a 7.1 channel system and want to add a nice 2-channel amp to my system.  I want to not only achieve a nice 7.1 channel home theater system for movies but I also like to listen to stereo music (mostly rock & roll music).  I would use the 2-channel amp for my front main LR speakers.  My two main front LR speakers are psb platinum T6.  My center channel is also a psb platinum series.  My main concern with this purchase of a 2-channel amp is with an emphasis on great stereo music first with home theater movies secondary using just the front LR speakers.  My Rotel 5-channel amp will power the center channel, LR side surrounds & LR rear surrounds.

With a $2,000 budget I have three 2-channel stereo amps I'm considering as follows:

1.  a used Krell KAV-2250 with probably no more than a 30 to 90-day warranty around $1,750
2.  a new Parasound A-21 Halo that I can get brand new for $1,995
3. or the brand new ADCOM GFA-575se model which can be purchased new for about $2,200

I'd like any thoughts, opinions or suggestions from any of you audiophiles on these amps or any other amps in the $2,000 range that you feel will give me great home theater sound on movies and improved stereo sound with music.  Particularly comments on comparisons or experiences anyone has had with any of these amps or others that you think might fit the bill.  Thanks!
dmlima

Showing 1 response by dmlima

Thank your for your comments, opinion & sound advice!  Clearly you have more experience in higher end audio than I.  Quite frankly I've never give much thought of using a stereo preamp or an integrated.  When I started my system the priority was home theater and the Rotel multi-channel amp & surround sound processor have served me well.  I am now looking to enhance stereo music performance on a limited budget. 

What I have right now is a Rotel 1095 five-channel 200W per channel amp coupled with a Rotel RSP-1069 surround sound processor.  The way I listen to 2-channel stereo music now is by simply bypassing through my surround processor, which eliminates any sound processing via the bypass mode on the RSP-1069.  My CD source component is a Cary Audio CD-308.

My question is, how/why will a pre-amp or integrated amp provide better performance than a nice 2-channel amp that I bypass through my surround sound processor?