If you're serious about 2-channel I'd recommend getting a decent Denon receiver for surround processing and use a higher-end 2-channel preamp with a home theater pass-through for stereo listening. The home theater pass-through will allow you to seemlessly integrate the receiver with the stereo preamp so you don't have to worry about volume matching issues. This combo will give you better 2-channel performance for less cost than a pre/pro and reduce your risk of obsolescence as the new formats evolve over the next year or two and prices come down. When you're ready you just swap out the Denon instead of having to buy an expensive new pre/pro, and you can still use the 2-channel preamp for critical stereo listening.
I don't buy the upgrade thing with so much up in the air right now--it'll probably cost a lot to upgrade a pre/pro and there are likely to be compromises even if you do upgrade because they can never forsee everything. Upgradeability has not historically been a strength of the audio industry and I wouldn't put my money on it this time either.
Some recommendations for stereo preamps with an HT pass-throughs are: Adcom GFP-750, McCormack RLD-1, Sonic Frontiers, Rogue, Conrad-Johnson, and PSE. If you want to enjoy movies but are more serious about 2-channel I think this is the best sounding, most cost-effective and lowest risk option. Best of luck.
Tim
I don't buy the upgrade thing with so much up in the air right now--it'll probably cost a lot to upgrade a pre/pro and there are likely to be compromises even if you do upgrade because they can never forsee everything. Upgradeability has not historically been a strength of the audio industry and I wouldn't put my money on it this time either.
Some recommendations for stereo preamps with an HT pass-throughs are: Adcom GFP-750, McCormack RLD-1, Sonic Frontiers, Rogue, Conrad-Johnson, and PSE. If you want to enjoy movies but are more serious about 2-channel I think this is the best sounding, most cost-effective and lowest risk option. Best of luck.
Tim