I did a similar thing, I upgraded the tube amps on my front channels and downsized to a cheap transistor integrated for the dialogue and side speakers.
At one time I drove everything with tube amps, including an Atma-Sphere OTL for the dialogue and dual 70 watt stereo amps for the sides (vertical bi-amped).
With both systems I had good HT sound and no doubt It was better with the all tube rig. However, movies are more about sound effects and having fun (in my opinion) and this greatly simplified my life.
Besides, the proceeds from the sale of all that HT tube amplification bought me a new transistor integrated, allowed for an upgrade of my dialogue speaker, and $2700 left over to go toward a second pair of monster tube amps for my two channel :^).
It appears you have a similar goal, you want to push your two channel so you can enjoy music and still have great HT sound without investing in every channel in the system.
There may be some at Audiogon that will disagree, but I think you have a good plan.
At one time I drove everything with tube amps, including an Atma-Sphere OTL for the dialogue and dual 70 watt stereo amps for the sides (vertical bi-amped).
With both systems I had good HT sound and no doubt It was better with the all tube rig. However, movies are more about sound effects and having fun (in my opinion) and this greatly simplified my life.
Besides, the proceeds from the sale of all that HT tube amplification bought me a new transistor integrated, allowed for an upgrade of my dialogue speaker, and $2700 left over to go toward a second pair of monster tube amps for my two channel :^).
It appears you have a similar goal, you want to push your two channel so you can enjoy music and still have great HT sound without investing in every channel in the system.
There may be some at Audiogon that will disagree, but I think you have a good plan.