Yeah, I agree -- start with the pre.
Musical Fidelity, A308, a3.2 or a5. I've heard that the X-PreV3 isn't bad, but it's already out of production, and I haven't heard it for myself. (I've only heard the a3 and the A308, but their sounds jived with my understanding of how the lineup went, so I believe the other two would fit where I expect them too.)
Jeez, too bad you missed out on this, that would have been my recommendation.
I would also look at Conrad Johnson.