Need advice on amplifier upgrade

Get yourself a Krell integrated, like the KAV300i or 500i. Krell and B&W are a proven good combination. Putting a high quality power amp after a receiver as a preamp - it might get you volume and oooph, but your resolution will suffer dramatically.

Judging from your current setup, High-end speakers and turntable but a compromised reciever, it seems that you have some great ambitions. Since you do not state how much you are willing to spend, I'll assume that you are like me and plan to spend about $2000-$3500 on a new pre/pro and power amp. The obvious sugestion would be to jump to Krell power amps and "Ultra high-end Brand X" pre-amp (there are just too many quality preamps on the market to pick out a clear winner.) But for he money, I think you'd get the best value from a combo of the B&K AVP1030 pre-amp processor (or its newer equivalent; this is the particular model I own, but as you know usually the only thing to change is the model numbers) and the ATI AT1505 power amp (again this is the model I own, get its newer incarnation.) I found this to be a great bargain; after a little negotiation, I took everything home for abou $3,400. I am also assuming that because your using a Sony ES reciever right now you also have some sort of Dolby surround. Again this setup is perfect for it. However, if your budget allows for it get the same pre/pro, and a set of Krell power amps instead of the ATI.

Judging from your current setup, High-end speakers and digital media but a compromised reciever, it seems that you have some great ambitions. Since you do not state how much you are willing to spend, I'll assume that you are like me and plan to spend about $2000-$3500 on a new pre/pro and power amp. The obvious sugestion would be to jump to Krell power amps and "Ultra high-end Brand X" pre-amp (there are just too many quality preamps on the market to pick out a clear winner.) But for he money, I think you'd get the best value from a combo of the B&K AVP1030 pre-amp processor (or its newer equivalent; this is the particular model I own, but as you know usually the only thing to change is the model numbers) and the ATI AT1505 power amp (again this is the model I own, get its newer incarnation.) I found this to be a great bargain; after a little negotiation, I took everything home for abou $3,400. I am also assuming that because your using a Sony ES reciever right now you also have some sort of Dolby surround. Again this setup is perfect for it. However, if your budget allows for it get the same pre/pro, and a set of Krell power amps instead of the ATI.

I think Krell KAV series would be nice. The 250p & 250a sound great & u can use your Sony unit as the surround processor in the 250p's theather throughout mode. Of course if Home Theater is a major factor, I would get a 5/6 channel amp & a surround preamp.