HI-FI NEWBIE NEEDS HELP!

" 50’ spool of speaker wire I bought from Radio Shack 25 years ago. I will pause while you laugh"

I ain't laughing. Until a few weeks ago I was using Auvio Square Parallel Premium 12 AWG Speaker cable I picked up at Radio Shack for $0.48/ft. It's really good stuff, 99.95 OFC and half the strands are silver coated. I finally gave in to curiosity and replaced them with some $1,500 cables that I got for less than $100. I am very happy I didn't spend more. But that's me.

Bryston 4BSST2 would fit your needs IMHO

If you like the Emotiva Pre/pro, then get a used (or new equivalent) Emotiva XPA-2 power amp.  Maggies will love the 300w/8 ohm & 500w 4 Ohm power!!  New about $1000.00.  don't let others here convince you that you have to spend more.

I’ve had Maggies for many years and currently enjoy the 1.7s in my listening room. During the last several years I’ve found that Rogue amplification really makes these speakers sing. I’ve used the  Cronus Magnum integrated that did a very nice job considering it’s  a full tube amp. However, their very reasonably priced Sphinx integrated won my heart (even when compared to its big brother the Pharaoh).  You could purchase that for well under your budget and sell your preamp, or you could check out Rogue’s very fine stereo power amps that are based on the same technology as the Sphinx. By the way, don’t let the Class D status scare you. These are very musical amps, probably due to the tube preamp sections and the linear power supplies. The Maggies love them. So do I. :)

I have the Schiit Freya preamp and 2 Vidar amps on the way. I will run each Vidar in mono.

I had Maggie 1.7 and just upgraded to 3.7i and can tell you the Parasound Halo 2.1 is a wonderful pairing. You have everything you need in this integrated. Usually demos or slightly used ones show up for around $1600.
Had Emos previously even with the high watt rating they just didn't put out enough ampage and were always blowing.

@johnto 
the fuses on the emotiva amps were always blowing?

I drive my XPA-2 pretty hard (especially when the wife is out of town) and I've never had an issue at all!  Also remember the Emotiva five yer warranty that transfers to new owners.

+1 Rogue....

That been said, one point that I feel is critical to this debate and perhaps the ultimate arbitrator, is humans’ hearing physiology and how the brain processes the sound.

Right. One point that has been trumpeted by @atmasphere is how humans perceive distortion, but most egregiously so at the higher odd order harmonics. Glad to understand he designs his products with that (presumed correct) fact in mind. Unfortunate though that manufacturers do not include this type of data in their specifications. 

For economical and yet very good sound reproduction, why not audition a Crown XLS amp? The Crown XLS 1502 will give you 300 W into 8 ohms, but it also covers 4 ohms and 2 ohms with higher power with the ability to bridge them. They are Class D, very efficient with power and have come a long way in very good sound reproduction with great detail, good tonal reproduction, sound staging width and depth, and transparency. Have a listen. The Crown XLS 1502 can be found new at $399.99 . . . possibly lower on line.

Somewhat off the topic of amplification, but related to getting the most out of your 1.7s.... Two things that significantly improved the sound of my Maggies were upgrading the tweeter jumpers and the fuses. I currently have Cardas jumpers and Synergistic Research Black fuses in mine and am very happy with the results. I know many folks will scoff at these suggestions, but hearing is believing. I’m a believer. Cheers and happy listening. 

@chrisoshea 
yeah that’s the idea, I just want the best sound quality for what I can spend. I’m posting on several sights and reading every reply to decide based on those who are more knowledgeable than me about audio.
Now if you walk in to my second home, the local pool hall, and want to learn about the nuances of shooting pool I’m your guy. I’ve been shooting seriously for over 20 years. I can tell you the differences in quality and play of all things involved; tables, balls, sticks, cue shafts, cue stick tips, ferrules, chalk and cloth. That’s just the equipment.
 I’m a novice and may not even be able to discern the difference in a higher fidelity system. Just as you may not be able to tell the difference in the skill level of two pool players who to you may be both “great players and better than I will ever be.” I would be able to show why this player is more skillful than the other. But someday you may become better and then even good at pool and would be able to also critique and discuss players’ abilities just as I may be able to identify good audio equipment and discuss why it is so. So if that happens I don’t want to realize that I purchased the lesser quality product even though there was a better quality product for the same price point.  

OP:

 So if that happens I don’t want to realize that I purchased the lesser quality product even though there was a better quality product for the same price point.

This is where it gets very tricky, because it is quite subjective. Depends on you. 

   I envy you your love for, and expertise in, playing pool.  Many years ago I often earned myself a few beers when playing in the local bars of my college town.  :)  However, I want to point out that your analogies are not exactly parallel.  When playing pool, even though your technique and strategies might be varied, your goal is quite straightforward.  You need to sink the balls you've called into their pockets.  Quite objective.  However, when assembling an audio system, your goal (as David pointed out) is very subjective.  For example, I tend to listen to a lot of acoustic roots music (blues, folk, bluegrass) and I like a relatively "forward" and intimate sound while maintaining a nice amount of "air" around images.  Many of my classical music loving audiophile friends like a much more "removed" sense, as though they're somewhat well back in a symphony hall with good acoustics. So, my perfect sound is quite a bit different than theirs.  Find your own sound and move toward it....
    As far as actually hearing a difference in sound between components, you will unless you have some kinda substantial physical hearing loss.  Many a time an acquaintance of mine has sat in my listening room for the first time saying that they really don't have "good" ears and that they probably won't hear much difference from their car radio, etc.  Within a few tunes, their eyes have widened and they are expressing the various aspects of sound that they've never heard before sitting at home or in their cars.  It's not a particularly special skill.  It's just something to enjoy!
   

Let me put this analytically. I would like to enjoy a system that, at the highest volume I normally listen, gives the clearest music possible.
 

If you mean uber resolution and analytical sound at high volumes, then pro-audio / pro-audio leaning gear. PMC Active monitors, for example, driven by pro gear.

   Just a caution if what you are seeking is "uber resolution".  Although you might "hear" everything, you may not find this kind of system musically or emotionally satisfying over the long haul.  I've encountered systems like this that are very much on the "sterile" side and fatiguing to listen to over time.  Listen for a sound that draws you into the music and provides the "goosebump" effect, even if it's not the most highly resolving system.
   Also, an FYI that the Maggies do tend to sound better with a bit of volume.   Their sound doesn't really "bloom" at lower listening levels.  You also have to be VERY careful with speaker placement.  Inches can make a huge difference, and the listening position for them is quite narrow. My audio room has just one chair.  Something that my wife has commented on more than once...  ;-)  However, it's a great chair to be in late at night, lights down, hoppy craft brew in hand, and a favorite artist hovering in space in front of me.