I've been there, fighting to be happy musically with a high end pre/pro. I gave up and I'm much happier. I bought a stereo preamp with a SSP (Surround Sound Processor) Loop, and haven't looked back. Many high end designers to choose from: Cary, Classe, Ayre, Jeff Rowland, BAT, just to name a few. I then got a nice Denon receiver for HT duty. I take the FR & FL preamp outputs of the Denon and feed the SSP input of my BAT preamp. The Denon amp only drives the surrounds. I find that I'm visually distracted during movies, and I don't notice any sonic degradation when going from my high end pre/pro's (Proceed, Classe, Anthem,etc) to the Denon. However there is a world of difference on music through the BAT.
I'm not familiar with the Naim and Linn lines, since you seem open to Classe for HT, why not look for a Classe CP-60 used. It's much better on 2 channel than their SSP-30, and has a easy to use SSP Loop. Then grab a CA-200 w/ a CAV-75 (6 channels of 75 wpc or 3 channels of 150 wpc). These 3 pieces would work great and you should be at around $4K. You can still use your Denon reciever for HT.
BTW, the Classe gear mates well with the Vienna Acoustics Beethoven. I know because I used this combination with the Beethovens. Time moves on, systems change, I now have the VA Strauss with other gear, but I have very good memeories of my time together with the Classe gear and the Beethovens.
Cheers,
John
John
I'm not familiar with the Naim and Linn lines, since you seem open to Classe for HT, why not look for a Classe CP-60 used. It's much better on 2 channel than their SSP-30, and has a easy to use SSP Loop. Then grab a CA-200 w/ a CAV-75 (6 channels of 75 wpc or 3 channels of 150 wpc). These 3 pieces would work great and you should be at around $4K. You can still use your Denon reciever for HT.
BTW, the Classe gear mates well with the Vienna Acoustics Beethoven. I know because I used this combination with the Beethovens. Time moves on, systems change, I now have the VA Strauss with other gear, but I have very good memeories of my time together with the Classe gear and the Beethovens.
Cheers,
John
John