Do you have $3k to $5k or is that what you will be building up to? Certainly making use of the old Yamaha makes sense and just adding a 2 channel amp will be the most cost effective but you will still be limited by the quality of the receivers preamp section. A couple of non-separate suggestions first. The Arcam AVR 300 will do everything you are looking for at about $2k. Very high quality music reproduction, all the latest surround decoding and 7 channels of high quality amplification. There is also a very good integrated surround amp from Primare that costs about $4k. This Primare piece will easily compete with any separates in it's price, actually for $4k I don't think you will find anything to beat it. If you have to do this in steps you have already been given some good brands to look at. I would suggest listening before you buy though. Some of the mentioned brands, although recognized as good quality, still have a different sound than others. For instance, I find Arcam & Creek fast and dynamic, where Rotel seems to be very layed back in comparison. I do not like NAD, I find their sound watered down or thin. Then you have amps like Bryston or Krell that I call "beauty in the beast" because they have excellent sound while being able to deliver it with brute force. Amps like this would probably be over kill for Def Tech but I wouldn't shy away from a good deal on one. For $3k to $5k for a total preamp/pro/pwr package you will have to stick with Rotel, Adcom or maybe B&K. The other brands will get out of your price range when going with separates. Anthem may be another option. Their preamp is about $3k but their amps are pretty reasonable. They also have 2 levels of amps, one being better than the other.