Separates pre-amp cinema dsp

[Psittac]

Wondering if anyone can give me advice on running a rack setup.  I've got a stereo rack setup now and am contemplating doing a full on HT in my basement.  I currently have a Denon/Klipsch 5.1 upstairs but have always wanted to go separates.

 

Do you have any general advice for product selection?  I have Kef Q950's to start with but that's about all I'm into it for.  Running a crown power amp for the stereo setup now.  The problem I'm having is that a pre-amp looks to start at $2.xk and I'm not sure if I'm ready to invest that much yet.  If I'm going to do it I want to go all balanced signal and from what I can tell Emotiva has the best "budget friendly" ecosystem.  I'm fine with just getting more Crown amp's but it might be more cost effective to get a single 7ch amp from Emotiva in the long run.  Also it looks like they're between product cycles?  Because the pre-amp I'd get right now is sold out and they don't even have their flagship on the site, not that I'd get it.

 

What order would you start purchasing for a projector and separates considering I already have a competent stereo system.  I thought about getting a center channel now before this product line gets discontinued but if I was guaranteed to always have them available it's not what I would get first.  Also more in the long run is better than less in the short term if it means I can spread out my purchases.

 

One thought I had if I'm going to ditch the crown power amp, is to run it on a passive sub, but I can't find squat for information on passive subs.

 

Here is what I'm working on now, just contemplating the logistics of it all

 

[aggie113]

You should check out some of the smaller amp builders.  I am running a 6-channel Hypex NC252MP from Buckeye.  Does a good job of powering my 4ohm speakers since my Onkyo receiver would do a crap job with them.  Look at the reviews for some of the Buckeye amps as well as other options on ASR.