Tired of HT

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.

If you value music more than sound effects, and it sounds like you do, then dispense with the entire HT hoax and apply your resources to a nice two channel music system. Home theater is car stereo brought indoors.

Congratulations to you for recognizing as much. And good luck in your quest. Tubes are not necessary.