I am in your boat, well #2...I am currently using a lexicon dc1 pre, anthem amp2....rest of my system is irreleveant for my response.
Anyway, I want Reference quality 2-channel first, then HT will fall into place. I have narrowed the plan down to two paths. First path is to keep the lexicon (until SACD and DVD-A finalize themselves, then buy any quality pro with 5.1 pass thru for HT) and buy the Adcom gfp750 ($800 used) as a pre for music and use it's pass thru for HT. I then want to buy the Music Fidelity A3(24) DAC ($1K new) to achieve my reference 2 channel music.
Second path is to take the plunge into either the Anthem AVM 20, Proceed AVP 2, or Tag Mclaren AVR32 which are all top of the line pre/pros currently (I'm sure there are others out there...). Just use the one unit for all. Apparently they all sound great for 2-channel and HT, but I haven't heard them yet, only read about them. The ones I mentioned also have the analoge pass through for DVDA and SACD.
I am upgrading to Taylo 7U speakers (tyleracoustics.com) and hope to some day own either a Pass, Levinson or BAT Amp, but am currently happy with my Amp 2. I can't give any other recommendations on speakers, but I feel there are so many quality ones to choose from, it won't be hard to find a pair you like. With everything else, this is all budget dependant.
Keep me posted on what you buy, as I am always looking for gear to demo or read about.
Good luck, and sorry to hear about the fire...that sux:/ (unless your insurance is paying for your stereo, then I'm going to burn my place down and start fresh too:D...j/k Mr. Law Enforcement Agent;))
m-
Anyway, I want Reference quality 2-channel first, then HT will fall into place. I have narrowed the plan down to two paths. First path is to keep the lexicon (until SACD and DVD-A finalize themselves, then buy any quality pro with 5.1 pass thru for HT) and buy the Adcom gfp750 ($800 used) as a pre for music and use it's pass thru for HT. I then want to buy the Music Fidelity A3(24) DAC ($1K new) to achieve my reference 2 channel music.
Second path is to take the plunge into either the Anthem AVM 20, Proceed AVP 2, or Tag Mclaren AVR32 which are all top of the line pre/pros currently (I'm sure there are others out there...). Just use the one unit for all. Apparently they all sound great for 2-channel and HT, but I haven't heard them yet, only read about them. The ones I mentioned also have the analoge pass through for DVDA and SACD.
I am upgrading to Taylo 7U speakers (tyleracoustics.com) and hope to some day own either a Pass, Levinson or BAT Amp, but am currently happy with my Amp 2. I can't give any other recommendations on speakers, but I feel there are so many quality ones to choose from, it won't be hard to find a pair you like. With everything else, this is all budget dependant.
Keep me posted on what you buy, as I am always looking for gear to demo or read about.
Good luck, and sorry to hear about the fire...that sux:/ (unless your insurance is paying for your stereo, then I'm going to burn my place down and start fresh too:D...j/k Mr. Law Enforcement Agent;))
m-