need some help for major shift in focus; combined two channel/HT integration

Dear Forum readers:
I need help bad..I have the upgrade bug; but don't know best path forward. Here is where I'm at; and where I want to get to. I have Meridian 861 v4.2, Meridian g-98 transport; going into HD621 switcher; Qsonix music server direct digital into processor; MBL 111'es mains powered by Bryston 28sst's, sony 5000es BD, Parasound A-51 multi channel, aerial CC-5 center; Velodyne DD-15 sub; Paradigm dipole rears, and a zone 2 outdoor.
I'm getting frustrated with how hard it is to tweak and adjust my Meridian gear; and feel i'm not getting full frequency and benefit of my analog speakers/amps.
 I heard the PS audio perfect wave transport/dac combo; and thought it provided more air and bloom than my rig. I'd like to sell my Meridian gear and get a used VTL 7.5 ii tubed preamp; and a nice dac/transport combo; and a decent home theater processor; need to power  5.1 HT, sub, and zone 2. Or the question is; if I am using a good dac for my transport and music server as my digital sources; and the HT processor for Directv and Blue ray; and zone 2; do I even need a preamp? But with the dac; it limits me to two channel only; I can't listen to  multi channel, it won't play 5.1 DTS from the Directv; or sacd, unless I get the MS Playback multichannel dac; which is a bit pricey...and since I like having my sub interface with my two channel listening; for 2.1; how do I access the sub with a dac; unless I have a preamp and run HT bypass with my processor?
So; please help...select tubed pre amp: either used VTL 6.5 or 7.5vii; ARC 3, with a dac; either Berkeley alpha, Bryston BDA-1 and a transport; or PSaudio wave dac/transport combo, or something even better...for the HT processor; I was thinking of Integra 9.9, or the new 80.1 vs Marantz 8003...didn't want to spend the money for Classe 800; but the Anthem D-2 should also be considered...
Want to keep things operationally simple; gear that can be accessed by IR universal remote; for waf, looking for outstanding music from hi res downloads from my music server; and great upsampled redbook cd; sacd not that critical; as I don't have any in my collection...dac direct into main amps; or use in combo with a tubed preamp? Thanks for your comments and help; this is a new direction for me...