??
Why attack Mulester7 over this? Because it's cool? The comments were mine and actually weren't intended to be hostile or agressive.
It seemed like Amadeo was honestly interested in how to improve electronics upstream of the TIKs. I don't know the speakers or preferences of the listener(s). However, I do know that a lot of options are available to customize sound to one's taste. Granted, if you want to send your chosen signal to many channels, the options decrease considerably. I don't mean the number of brands, rather the underlying topology and philosophy of the piece.
A number of 2-channel preamps, tube, passive, and solid state have Home Theater Bypass modes that will allow your HT receiver to perform the preamp duties for your main speakers. Thus, a sucessful HT/2-channel system can be effectively built. Your chosen 2-channel amp can still run your main speakers without inconvenient unplugging and reconfiguration. Flip the switch to use the gigi preamp and slickster amp in 2-channel mode.
I don't agree about the brand-matching thought at all. It is true that every component is not optimally suited for every other component by every other brand, but this is a function of gain and impedance rather than the brand of the component. Branch out, try some other, off-brand stuff. If you decide you don't like any of it, Great! You'll then KNOW you've got an optimal system, instead of just assuming it.