Stereo power amp for $10k

That are the right words; waste of money. This is a mistake many people make.

Still the most common mistake is that people spend a lot of money on speakers and a lot less on amp, source and cables. Many many people play at an even low level of the full potential of their speakers.

I use a mirror to make them understand their mistake. When you bring in a better amp, source and cables they are often stunned. This is how audio needs to demoed. People need to be aware what is missing!

There's just no sense in spending $10K in this set-up. If the Marantz unit MUST stay then why not match it to a Marantz power amp at about the same price point. Use the difference for some of the really sophisticated new tweaks that can radically improve any system. I recently went to the Rocky Mountain Audio Show and was impressed with the improvement that tweaks make even in $100,000+ systems.

I like Melbguy1's idea of a very good integrated, where you can bypass the integrated pre when watching movies, and switch back to the integrated pre for 2 channel. Best of both worlds.

I agree with those who posted that a $10K amp would be wasted in this setup. I would only consider an amp of that level if I had the Marantz AV7702 running through the Cinema or HT bypass of a top quality stereo preamplifier.

At this price range, You may add BAT VK-600SE or Vk-650SE (used one!) to your wish list. You speakers are pretty good. I heard Pass labs X250.5 and Pilinius amps in the shows, they are very good. However I found BAT vk-600se to have a better resolution, dynamic and especially much better Bass with a more defined control of the sound edges. I also tried Krell EVO402e which was very good too but its sound is too analytic and cold, even thought it has an excellent bass.
That's why I ended up with BAT vk-600se which its sound is also more on warm side of neutral. It is obviously based on taste and is all system dependent ...

good luck.