I will purchase better speakers accordingly, so I doesn't make sense to say that I'll be running this equipment on my current Orb Audio satellite/subwoofer set up (what would it sound like if I did?). Any thoughts about the above choices and/or some good alternative amps/pre-amps or int-amps in this price range? And it occurs to me, for these companies in particular, do you really get what you pay for? I don't mind paying for quality stuff, I just want to make sure I will get what I pay for. The reviews of these companies' products seem to suggest I will certainly get what I pay for (unlike, in my opinion, Bose Speakers which are high-priced but not very good quality). Thanks in advance.
Post it in www.audiogon.com and you will get more help.
I would recommend also buying there - used gears. This way, you will end up with better sound for the same price - and most gears are well taken care of.
People who buy hifi at this level usually baby their gears.
I would get good cables too for them - about 10% of your budget.