Stereo power amp for $10k

Raraavis, if buying new in your price range, i'd 2nd the lovely Modwright KWA-150SE, but if you're also prepared to consider good recent 2nd hand examples, there is a Vitus RI-100 in very good shape here on the 'Gon asking $7k. The RI-100 can be used as an integrated amp with 2 channel, or you can bypass the preamp section and use it as a power amp. You can also add a phono card & dac card later is you need those options. Australian Hifi Magazine wrote a fairly thorough review with labs testing last year. That said, if you only need a power amp, the Pass XA.8 series is very good as well, so it's a matter of taste.

You need to realize that putting a 10K amp on your processor is not only a mismatch but a waste of $. You won't be able to hear the improvement from the 10K amps: resolution, details, stage and macro/micro dynamics due to your Marantz preamp limitation. You can get say a $5K amp and spend the rest on a dedicated 2 channel preamp with HT bypass: JC-2, Ayre K5xe MP, etc... I had the Krell $8000 processor, known to be very good for 2 channel, and it sounds broken next to a $4000 dedicated 2 channel preamp.
My 20 years plus in this hobby has taught me that my system is only at its best when spending the most I can afford on a preamp.

That are the right words; waste of money. This is a mistake many people make.

Still the most common mistake is that people spend a lot of money on speakers and a lot less on amp, source and cables. Many many people play at an even low level of the full potential of their speakers.

I use a mirror to make them understand their mistake. When you bring in a better amp, source and cables they are often stunned. This is how audio needs to demoed. People need to be aware what is missing!

There's just no sense in spending $10K in this set-up. If the Marantz unit MUST stay then why not match it to a Marantz power amp at about the same price point. Use the difference for some of the really sophisticated new tweaks that can radically improve any system. I recently went to the Rocky Mountain Audio Show and was impressed with the improvement that tweaks make even in $100,000+ systems.

I like Melbguy1's idea of a very good integrated, where you can bypass the integrated pre when watching movies, and switch back to the integrated pre for 2 channel. Best of both worlds.