Why don't you try the Blue Circle power amps.They have a special 5-7 channel HT amp that ears I trust say sounds wonderful. Bobby used to use BC gear and likes it. It is fast, tonally accurate (to me at least) and places peopel in the room. It is solid state though I'm sure if you ask Gilbert the designer at BC he could make the amps a hybrid tubs/ss but it'll cost you imagine. Couldn't hurt to ask though. check out www.bluecircle.com and look under the amps. Then you can use your joule preamp and have a reallynice combo system.
As far as subs REL's are awesome in the systems I have heard it in. You can plug in a LFE for HT effects and run it in line with the amp and have it balanced well for music. VSM's are great speakers! hate to see you let them go!
Vik
