I have also compared my preamp/power amps with very old Denon 3805, the preamp happens to be a Cambridge Audio ex flagship, the Denon sounds just as good. So I am surprise to hear that your X3000 "cant come near to..... for music. Over the years, after spending thousands and thousands of dollars, I found that the quality of the recording is most important, followed by the speakers, room, media player, power amp, the preamp. For preamp/power amp/prepro/AVR, it doesn't cost much to get something that would approach or pass the point of diminishing return. ADTG will tell you the same.
Again, the 7011 has XT32 SubEQ HT, that was able to do a much better job smoothing the bass in my room so I know it is in fact a much improved version than XT. The 7011 is compatible with the $20 Audyssey editor app that allows you to do further fine tuning or customization post Audyssey run. If you don't use Audyssey then I doubt the improvements would be all that audible if you do a blind test. If you do a sighted test, the 7011 or even the 6012, will likely sound better, that's based on findings by those who have conducted controlled listening tests. If you expect it to sound better based on hearsay, pay more, better specs etc., it will sound better to you. It is a controversial, and highly subjective topic, but given that you felt an entry level CA (whatever it is) sounded so much better than your X3000, you will experience the same with the SR7011. I don't want to pour cold water, but do want to answer your questions based on my experience as much as possible. Hopefully others will chime in and express their opposite views, in the end you have to make up your own mind.
