Ben,
Don't know if you are checking back but here is my 2 cents. I have the Aerial 6's and like them a great deal. Here are a couple of factors to echo Rsbecks earlier post.
I agree go with speakers first. If you go with the Aerials, they require MUCH power to be happy. They are 85db in other words - very inefficient. Your reciever is going to be pushing a heavy load. They are also not the most forgiving speaker either - upstream synergy is important. But you could continue to build on these for a long time. Buy them used - I wish I had, they are pricy new.
If you go with the Aerials, I would suggest an amp upgrade to start. If your reciever has signal outs, use that as your pre for a start. Here's a TANK of an amp that will push them all day long - Musical Fidelity M250's. 250w mono blocks that never broke a sweat in my system. New they retail for around $2500, used maybe $1200 probably less. They did not get a lot of HiFi press, but they are the best value for the $$ out there. I had them for a year then moved into big VAC Tube mono blocks - give the M250's a shot. Classe CAM 200's would be even better but they are $$$, around $2500 used. (My dealer demo's them on CAM 200's, it's a NICE match for sure!!) Even some older Classe big boy 2 channel amps would be awsome. You can get some older 200x2 classe's for around $800-$900 and it's awsome stuff. (A DR 9 or even two DR 8's as Mono's would be very nice - DR8's go for between $600-$850 each)
In regards to the pre - I think with those speakers your best bet is get into some decent amps, then upgrade the pre. Some older classe gear is really good and inexpensive. Or even better, get an older tube pre-amp like a CJ PV 10 ($400 - $500) or VAC standard pre and then you got yourself a sweet little system.
The Aerials are a good solid choice and they can handle lots of different music from Rock to Clasical.
