There are no really good 5 channel amps. There are no really good 5 channel anything. 5 channel is Home Theater. HT is a wasteland.
Already you have noticed. No multi-channel anything sounds as good as 2 channel. You know this from listening. All you need to do now is take the next logical step and transition off the whole HT train.
Start like big_greg suggests with stereo components. From here on out simply upgrade only the stereo elements of your system. Let the surround crap go. If you feel the need, upgrade to a Swarm type distributed bass array that will improve both movies and music. But let the HT dreck go. You know you want to. Your ears are already telling you this. Don't listen to the marketing. Listen to your ears.
Already you have noticed. No multi-channel anything sounds as good as 2 channel. You know this from listening. All you need to do now is take the next logical step and transition off the whole HT train.
Start like big_greg suggests with stereo components. From here on out simply upgrade only the stereo elements of your system. Let the surround crap go. If you feel the need, upgrade to a Swarm type distributed bass array that will improve both movies and music. But let the HT dreck go. You know you want to. Your ears are already telling you this. Don't listen to the marketing. Listen to your ears.