For a first high end system you should be commended.
I have gone through a number of preamps and have finally settled on an Audio Refinement Pre-5, and I am quite impressed. The 2DSP is very similar, and you will have to spend a lot of money to improve on it. The Audio Refinement preamps only weakness is a small lack of air compared to my Cary/AES tube preamp. Speed, timing, clarity, and bass are excellent and better than most. It's PRAT remind me of my old Linn system.
I am only using my Pre-5 as a 2 channel amp with a Pass Labs Aleph 30, as I haven't settled on a 5 channel amp. The Multi-5 is in top running at this time. The synergy is to be excellent.
So tell me about the Anthem? I never considered it but it sounds like a strong possibility. I have read it is not quite as good as the Multi-5 but that may be subjective.
I have read that the Complete CD is a soft, but that is AR sound to a certain degree, but the Pre-5 and Multi-5 are exceptions in that they have exceptional clarity. I understand that the 2DSP is close to the Pre-5.
