Gaining Audio Equipment Knowledge? Want Pre+Amp Under 3K

Quite a dilemma being a bit older and on a bit of a limited budget.  Of course being able to hear anything is the best way to decide upon differences in what pleases you but is not easily done when living out in the sticks as well.  I now want to move up from decent receiver to preamp/processor and amplifier setups but need to keep it under 3K at this point.  Home theater setup, 5.2 with front 2 biamped at this point with many speakers I could use in fact already surround backs not being used due to biamping.  Music is probably more important than movies though.  Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ed