Quote Originally Posted by 46minaudio
Jon If it were me I would go out and find your speakers first.That way you will know if you need a beefier amp.You may pick speakers that most new receivers can drive.IMO I see nothing wrong with 2ch reproduction with a good 7.1 receiver .I have found no major difference in my RXV 1400 7.1 receiver played in 2ch and a Adcom GFP 750,and Rotel RC 1070.2ch preamps.
I have said this in the past and it beers repeating, the preamplifier can be the limiting factor in many setups effectively choking the life of out of the power amplifier, this is probably even moreso for active preamplifers.