Please take my opinion with a grain of salt.
1. I have been unsuccessful in combining my HT and two channel systems. Placing a display and a center channel enclosure between my two channel speakers seems to impact the delicate soundstage I struggled to optimize two channel my room. I'm sure I'm overly critical of this staging but, for me, it's one of the wonders of my two channel system. (I am also having a great deal of fun with my 7.1 system now that more and more media is becoming available. IMO the 5.1 to 7.1 upgrade is absolutly worth the effort regardless of room size. I also have the room for both.)
That said, If you haven't been spoiled by a dedicated two channel systems ability to stage then you may notice only a slight difference if any at all in your room.
2. +1 Jdomead. There is a world of higher quality two channel preamplifiers with the pass through feature needed to integrate a two channel system into an HT system. On the other hand I've read good things about the Anthem Pre/Pro. I would certainly take the effort to do actual in home comparisons of any preamplification before discounting the Anthem's abilities as a two channel pre.
3. Since you didn't mention your current speaker system I'll assume it's of the same quality as your Paradigm/Anthem electronics. Again, any change here would require an in home comparison. You may have noticed the selection and improvements in integrated amps is growing. Read the Back Page interview of David Salz in the October Absolute Sound regarding his experience with the effects of cable.
I say in home comparisons because your system seems to be at that point of quality were this type of comparison, as much trouble as it is, would be a wonderful learning experience of your rooms interaction with any change to the system. As always make one change at a time.
1. I have been unsuccessful in combining my HT and two channel systems. Placing a display and a center channel enclosure between my two channel speakers seems to impact the delicate soundstage I struggled to optimize two channel my room. I'm sure I'm overly critical of this staging but, for me, it's one of the wonders of my two channel system. (I am also having a great deal of fun with my 7.1 system now that more and more media is becoming available. IMO the 5.1 to 7.1 upgrade is absolutly worth the effort regardless of room size. I also have the room for both.)
That said, If you haven't been spoiled by a dedicated two channel systems ability to stage then you may notice only a slight difference if any at all in your room.
2. +1 Jdomead. There is a world of higher quality two channel preamplifiers with the pass through feature needed to integrate a two channel system into an HT system. On the other hand I've read good things about the Anthem Pre/Pro. I would certainly take the effort to do actual in home comparisons of any preamplification before discounting the Anthem's abilities as a two channel pre.
3. Since you didn't mention your current speaker system I'll assume it's of the same quality as your Paradigm/Anthem electronics. Again, any change here would require an in home comparison. You may have noticed the selection and improvements in integrated amps is growing. Read the Back Page interview of David Salz in the October Absolute Sound regarding his experience with the effects of cable.
I say in home comparisons because your system seems to be at that point of quality were this type of comparison, as much trouble as it is, would be a wonderful learning experience of your rooms interaction with any change to the system. As always make one change at a time.