Looking for advice on amp/pre amps...

Wow, very nice suggestions, i should clarify one thing, i am able to spend roughly 2k on each piece, pre amp, amp, cd player(or combo), etc. I'm single atm so really money is not a big concern however, i'd like to keep it somewhat reasonable. Keep the info coming, i love it, thx again, Bob

Oh, sorry forgot to include my current system. Keep in mind i didn't do research and made the mistake of the local salespitch/costs alot so it has to be good.

-Pioneer Elite VSX-09TX reciever(looking for more music oriented system, less movie surround sound)

-Pioneer Elite DVL-91 cd/dvd/ld player(played 20times broke, no one seems to be able to fix it)

-Paradigm Studio 100's v.2(just picked up slightly used for a song, the reason i'm looking at upgrading.

-Roughly a 15'x30' living room in an apartment, off it is the kitchen with open bar, the other side is 4 - 4'x6' windows with curtains.
Things i've learned in a short period of time thx to you guys and the forum...

1. Nobody knows what sounds good to me except me
2. Don't buy the first thing u see/hear
3. I need to get educated(in the process) on just what the heck everyone is talking about, lol, i really am a newb. Meaning, terms, tech, etc. what is obvious to most of u, is French to me.

Keep the info coming! Thx again, Bob

Sorry, i forgot to mention my goal with the system is mainly listening to music, then movies. I'm more concerned with how my music sounds than if bullets seem to be coming from all directions. Don't get me wrong, i love movies, its just if i have to pick one or the other i'm more concerned with its definitly the music.

Look for Sean,or the audioengr guy on this site,they are real knowledgeable,good luck,Bob

The NAD T163 (notT197) retails for 1,499. It gives you lots of flexability which you may need plus all of the latest and greatest.
The Parasound A52 retails for 2,000 and is a beefy 5ch amp.
The Parasound A23 retails for 850 and is a 2ch amp almost identical to the A52 but just a little better (higher amperage output, 2ch share one power supply rather than 5ch).
The combination of the above three units for 4k would be a standard discount from a retailer. The 10 year Parasound warranty has given me great peace of mind though I have never needed to use it.
Also Lexicon has a bare bones version of the MC-8 called the MC-4 for 4,500 retail.
Good luck.