I'm gonna back up what sidssp and forever were saying. You'll get better 2-channel performance, better value, and more flexibility going with a better stereo pre and a decent pre/pro. This way, you're putting more money into the 2-channel aspect of your system and less in the surround processing area while still getting great performance there.
One of the stereo pres recommended above(to which I'd add the surprising Marsh P2000 preamp offered in either tubed or ss versions in the $1200-$1500 range new) combined with something like Rotel's new 1066 pre/pro would give you true high-end 2-channel performance with excellent surround capabilities. Another benefit of going this way is that instead of being limited to 2 or 3 pre/pros that sound good in stereo(but who knows if they really synergize with YOUR 2-channel system), you'll have a huge selection of stereo preamps so you're free to find the one that really works best for your system in 2-channel -- NEVER underestimate the power of synergy. A combo like this could be much less costly than the expensive pre/pro route and offer potentially better 2-channel performance and greater flexibility now and when upgrading.
Okay, I've said my piece. Best of luck.
One of the stereo pres recommended above(to which I'd add the surprising Marsh P2000 preamp offered in either tubed or ss versions in the $1200-$1500 range new) combined with something like Rotel's new 1066 pre/pro would give you true high-end 2-channel performance with excellent surround capabilities. Another benefit of going this way is that instead of being limited to 2 or 3 pre/pros that sound good in stereo(but who knows if they really synergize with YOUR 2-channel system), you'll have a huge selection of stereo preamps so you're free to find the one that really works best for your system in 2-channel -- NEVER underestimate the power of synergy. A combo like this could be much less costly than the expensive pre/pro route and offer potentially better 2-channel performance and greater flexibility now and when upgrading.
Okay, I've said my piece. Best of luck.