Beginner's questions re: amps, sorry a bit long

Hi, guys. I am in the market for a new amplifier. A bit of background--the last real system I bought was 15 + years ago, as a student (saved for years). I have since replaced as the original equipment died the CD player with a NAD 542 and turntable with a Musichall MMF 2.1, basically trying to get the best reasonably cheap equipment I could find, but not thinking about it too hard. I still have the original Boston Accoustics T930II speakers (repaired a few years back, in OK shape) and Rotel (something) integrated amp. My amp has recently turned my "stereo" into a "mono", so I am in the market, and would like to start building the system I always wanted. There is lots to learn.

I went to a good store in Atlanta and had the chance to listen to a wide range of prices of equipment, from $400 NAD amps to $3000 Mac integrated, and up. I expected to notice the difference between the low end and the $1000 range (Riga), and did. I did not expect to hear the difference I did between the $1k and $3k amp. Striking. It has me thinking about making the investment in a higher end of equipment. Here are things I am considering, and would greatly appreciate any comments:

1) Something along the lines of a Primaluna Dialogue 2, a $3k new integrated tube amp. This would be based solely on reviews, as I have no way of hearing it (I live in Atlanta). But, something in that ballpark. Would something with lesser power (I believe it is 38WPC) power my speakers? They are not delicate, and are old, and I will probably have them for another year or two before I can replace them.
2) Getting seperates, but focusing the investment on one end (basically, getting one piece of equipment that will be with me for the duration, and building around). For example, a nice power amp (say Mc MC275--I haven't really researched this yet) and a lower priced pre-amp, such as a Rogue Metis, or Primaluna, all used. Would it be risky getting two disparate pieces of equipment such as that?

To anyone who go to the end, thanks for plugging through all of this, and I appreciate your comments.

Jim.