Need to upgrade but what to get need advice

Vic, in my previous posts, I was very specific about music listening being stereo, 2 channel only, and Thirsty93 did not respond with an objection. The use of a stereo preamp with HT bypass will completely separate stereo music listening from the rest of the HT system.

I do agree that the positioning of video display and L/R speakers will affect stereo imaging. I have proved this to numerous friends by listening to some music, then cover the display with a blanket to reduce reflections, and listen again. One guy didn't have flexibility to move equipment, so he would cover the TV when he listened to music. Ideally, for 2 channel music listening, the least amount in between the speakers, the better. Thirsty93, I think it would be an advantage to try and get your L/R speakers slightly in front of the equipment between them.

Thirsty93, here is a tube preamp with HT bypass that gets excellent reviews, and within your price range,

Jolida Fusion Tube Preamp

Ironically, the back panel I provided in a previous post is this preamp.

BTW, I am not affiliated with Jolida in any way, but do have a close friend that uses some of their products and loves them. I do trust his ear as he is an excellent pianist, having taught piano in the past and played in the public for different occasions.

Thanks guys for your help.i always wanted to go tubes but don't understand the power ratings on these things.ive always heard good things about jolida and would entertain a pre amp and tube amp combo for a music only set up and use my avr for home theater.what would be a good pre amp amp combo new or used for 2000?

Adding the Jolida tube preamp to your system as previously stated should work great.

IMHO, your NHT 2.5i speakers are just not that suitable for a tube amp, although one could work. It would probably need to be at least 100w/ch which could easily exceed your budget.

NHT 2.5i specifications:
Impedance - 6 ohms nominal, 3.6 ohms minimum
Sensitivity - 86db

Tube amps generally work better with speakers where the minimum impedance only drops slightly below the nominal impedance. In addition to the impedance issue, when using a lower wattage tube amp, it would be best for the speaker's sensitivity to be at least 90-92db or higher.

As far as Jolida's products, the JD1000RC Integrated Stereo Tube Amplifier would probably work well, and does have the HT bypass. Since this is an integrated amp (preamp and amp in one chassis) there is no need for a preamp, however new retail is $2700.

What do you guys think of this combo with my 2.5..McCormack RDL-1 pre amp and DNA 0.5 amp.i can use this for music and us my avr for home theater.will this combo be a noticeable improvement over my current one.

Just adding the RLD-1 for 2 channel music listening should be a very noticeable improvement, and should be somewhat easy since it has HT bypass. The DNA 0.5 is also a very nice amp, and if it is a basic model, it can be sent to McCormack for upgrades to be even better.