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