amp or preamp most important

So, as long as your pre-amp is sending along beautiful music, it doesn't matter what happens afterwards?

the gentleman's question was what?IMHO the pre with correct cabling ,given to the amp to bring it to concert levels. Hopefully your speakers can handle the call.You,ll soon know

I guess I should have put I have great speakers that aren't leaving the system, they're rated 150w to 300w per channel, they are ATC monitors they need power and when they get it the sound is truly amazing as I found out yesterday, a guy hooked them up to the ayre v5xe amp and ayre pre, pretty sweet ! So 1 last question guys, he's trying to talk me into a 2 channel for my fronts for music and a 3 channel for my center and rears for home theater, is this good or a waste, thanks for the help !

I do not know what the difference in cost of this versus 5 ch amp. What he is saying may sound a little better but I do not know for sure. I am very familiar with Ayre and this is indeed a nice pre/amp combination. I would imagine that the dealers recommended set up would allow for an easier upgrade path in the future.

I find that 2 channel works fine for home theater for me, but I am not a real HT fanatic.