Preamp or Processor First


I have been slowly building my home theater and 2 channel system.  I have Sonus Faber Guaneri Tradition with the Vox center channel.  I am currently using D’Agostino Classic 3 amp and a Yamaha CX-A5100 processor.  Streaming with a Bluesound Node 2 and Transparent Cables and interconnects.  It sounds pretty good considering my front end.

I am ready for my next upgrade and I am thinking of replacing my Yamaha with the Mcintosh MX170.  While I use the system for movies and TV, I really want to improve the sound for 2 channel listening.  My question is this, should i get the MX170 or get a stereo preamp first.  Will the MX170 sound nearly as good as a say an Audio Research REF6?  If the MX170 would be a massive increase over the Yamaha and sound great with music but also improve movies I would probably go that route.  But if an excellent tube preamp can really make an even bigger improvement for music then I might wait on the processor.  

Just to share my plan; I will eventually have both, along with a much better streamer/DAC and will move the Guarneri’s to the study and replace them with the Amati’s for the mains.  I will ultimately use the Classic 3 for center and rear and get monoblocks for the Amati’s.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

~Mobius
mobiusmu
Preamp!

  CD player for music. 
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Thanks for the feedback.  Now to listen to some preamps!  

Since my amp is SS, I will probably lean tube, unless I get the D’Agostino progression.  So it will probably come down to a Tube Mac, Audio Research Ref6, or the Progression.

Thanks again!
Another thought...

What about getting an excellent streamer/DAC and going direct into the D’Agostino amp and skipping the Yamaha and holding off on a preamp?

I eventually will get a preamp, but I could do the stream/DAC first.