Great choice on the speakers! Have the earlier generation model (silver 8) and can tell you they are easy to drive, are very clear and can play LOUD.
They don't seem very picky about the front end but obviously the cleaner the better for the best sound.
Might consider a new integrated. Lots of good ones at the $3k point. NAD, Yamaha, Technics, Marantz, Music Hall, Rega, Leak, Cambridge, Arcam...