In reply to:

I'm hoping to spend most of my budget with the amp for future upgrades, because I plan to keep the amp for a while.


I understand your logic. But are you firmly set on the 2-channel stereo for the foreseeable future and don't intend to go for multi-channel? Yes, you can always add a 3-channel or 5-channel amp later to construct a multi-channel system, but it may well be more cost-effective for you to buy a multi-channel amp or receiver now, if a 5.1 or 7.1 is already in your sight.