Tired of HT

If you don't like what you're getting change what you can...

I'm seldom big on wholesale changes and feel Shatern is onto something... so I'd suggest perhaps a really nice tube int. amp with HT bypass or without it for that matter and your current level of HT remains... and the stereo/music improves perhaps substatially without the marked expense of a complete swapout of the HT.

I fully appreciate your sityation. I've found too, that to have separated the music from the TV/DVD arena is best, and way less money in the end.

Put it this way.. if you drop say $3 to $4K on a tube int or SS int, for that matter, I bet you come out way ahead musically than if the same amount is fed into all 5 channels instead.

Does the sound coming from the surrounds and rears really matter that much to you, OR is the majority of your musical interests ALL multi ch?

If so, this upgrade is gonna be costly IMO.

Good luck.

After much experimenting, I found that I needed 2 totally separate systems. The Surround sound is in one room, and the high end stereo in another.

It's interesting to see how many people struggle with this audio/video balance question. I basically have two systems that can be connected. While my video experience is quite good I don't consider it SOTA. I compare it to the advent of the CD which although compromised elevated the listening experience for the masses. Using my audio experience I've carefully selected video equipment and have tried to learn the "tweeks" to keep the cost in line. I connect the main front channel outputs of my Pioneer Elite AV/Receiver to my GAS Theadra pre which drives a Classe amp and Maggie 1.6QR's. The key I think is having a good large center channel speaker which approaches the quailty of the Maggies.This set-up is evolving as I'm evaluating the best way to integrate my sub. If I were you I'd think about speakers,preamp and amp for music, and connect your prepro to an aux input on the pre to maintain your video HT system. There is alot of great equipment for sale here which could accomplish this for a reasonable cost. A good pre with a phono section, a Threshold amp or something else vintage and reliable. It could be fun. Choose speakers first and build around them.

If you like your speakers (and you still want surround for movies), you could sell off your amp and pre/pro and replace them with a HT capable receiver (decent ones for $500 or even less), then save/spend on a capable 2-ch amp and preamp. Integrating a 2-ch preamp into HT is easy even w/o HT bypass as long as you have an extra input on your preamp for the mains out on your receiver to plug into. After level adjusting, your mains always run through your preamp whether watching movies or listening to 2-ch music.

I only have room and money for one system, it's a 2 channel system all the way with HT integrated into it. Best of both worlds and works seamlessly.

To further amplify what Tholt has said, start by placing the front speakers in the most perfect position relative to the room, irrespective of the TV or HT. Then, place your seat accordingly, use a pre-amp with bypass, keep your amp if you like it, and then place the other speakers where you like as long as they don't interfere with the reflections of the main speakers. This is what I ended up with. Two channel is always great and multi-channel is good enough. It takes a whole lot of money and the perfect room to do both.