Upgrade Path - Integrated or Power Amp????

If you decide to get seperates, I would avise getting a power amp first. The speakers you have can handle a big amp no problem. It will also upgrade both 2 channel and HT because you will always use it. Im not sure how much of a benefit a pre-amp will have on your HT. It sounds like you want to go with an integrated. That's a good choice to.

Just went through the exact decision making process in the last few months.
I really wanted to improve my 2 channel sound and was quite satisfied with my HT performance of my Denon 5.1 receiver.
I did add a better power amp for the fronts only (Parasound 125 x2) and the overall sound was very good for two channel.
I was using the Denon receiver analog bypass setting for two channel to take the processing of the signal out.

I finally decided to get an integrated (Musical Fidelity A300) and the improvement in the sound has been enormous.
Clearly the preamp section on my Denon receiver was a limiting factor in many of the ways you described (congestion at high volumes, soundstage, etc).

If you have 5K$ to spend your choices are almost unlimited.
I don't think you need to spend that much on an integrated or a pre/power setup unless you really want to.

I went with an integrated as it seems like finding a preamp and them matching with a power amp is some kind of black art or like finding a religion.
With an integrated you know the pre and power sections are well matched.
With your budget I would look at Plinius on the low end or you can go higher to a Levinson if you want. Not sure when the law of diminishing returns kicks in.

In short, Bwyoung is right- the preamp section is very important. My uneducated guess is that the Marantz reciever two channel analog section is only just pretty good. A dedicated preamp and power setup, or a nice integrated would be a big step up.

Oh, and definitely get an integrated with preouts if you go that route. My MF A300 has them and it makes setting up the sub easy.

Have fun!

Thank you for all your help guys. Looks like this problem is not unique to me!

Decided to borrow a pre-amp from friend to test out, see how much of an improvement that brings. If it gives me what I want then may go pre-pow combo and buy the pre first.

Lkdog - re budget, I guess I don't need to spend it all and in fact would be a bonus not to. You are right re diminishing returns. I'm not ruling out cheaper products but I just don't want to get into a regular upgrade every few years etc cos that would cost even more. Hopefully I will get something I am satisfied with and that will be my "audiophile" life over.

715018-
This is an incredibly interesting and strange hobby.
I guess each person needs to make a decison about what level of craziness they are happy with. I am very happy right now and really could only see a source upgrade at sometime in the future.
I think for me the key has been gradually getting components that are at a similar level of quality (entry level audiophile). It seems like if you get speakers that are much better than the rest of the system, then you will not know or hear their true potential and be left wondering. If you get a great pre/power setup or a great integrated, but you have average speakers...well you get the idea.
You have nice components. For two channel my guess is an upgrade in pre or power or both will make a big difference and get your system matched better across the board. It took me awhile to be convinced, but receivers generally are not designed for two channel listening.
Have fun!

Lkdog - you are absolutely right re product upgrade and imbalances in quality. I fully expected it when i bought my Mini Utopias (they don't sound as amazing as they did in the shop by a long way). hopefully i will realise some of that quality when i get the integrated or pre/pow!