Thanks, that helps. The recommendation from the "expert" was the Yamaha pre amp paired with the Yamaha amp. Why would a 150watt pre amp use a 150watt amp? What is different about the 150watts in the amp that a 150 watt receiver cant do? I am leaning to Yamaha only due to familiarity with it. the Yamaha RX-A3050 is a 150watt per channel 9.2. Is there a reason I should spend extra for the pre-amp and amp really or will the RX-A3050 give me the same performance?

It all matters.....just not very much.