I think you’ll have a much more rewarding HT experience going with the projector and $2300 amp. Plus you can buy the amp used and sell it for little loss when you’re ready to upgrade to a better amp. I wouldn’t get an ML center to pair with Thiel speakers as they’re likely not a good sonic match. I’d try to find a used Thiel center or get an SVS Ultra Center that’s a great center speaker and probably a good match with the Thiels. And SVS offers a very generous risk-free trial period so if it doesn’t work out you can just return it. You don’t specifically mention a subwoofer (except you mention 2.1), but it’s not optional for legit and truly entertaining home theater, so while you’re talking to SVS consider picking up one of their PB2000 Pro subs and they might cut you a deal.
BTW, what preamp/processor are you planning on using with the amp? For an amp, one option would be a D-Sonic M3a-1200-3 that’s only $2375 new and would work great in an HT setup and have plenty of juice for power-hungry Thiels. It’s good enough that you may very well not need a future upgrade. Anyway, FWIW and best of luck.
BTW, what preamp/processor are you planning on using with the amp? For an amp, one option would be a D-Sonic M3a-1200-3 that’s only $2375 new and would work great in an HT setup and have plenty of juice for power-hungry Thiels. It’s good enough that you may very well not need a future upgrade. Anyway, FWIW and best of luck.