Tekton Double Impacts

Bullitt--in addition to Corelli's question, what source will you be using and do you intend to run the DIs with the separate/new amp as part of a multi-channel?  You mentioned going to Atmos.  Which will be your priority--stereo or HT?

I've had three emotiva amps and still have two.  They generally reside in a 7.1 HT.  I think they are good amps for the money, new, and offer a good power-to-money value.  Mine are quiet as a tomb and are detailed well above their price.  But, I personally find them to be pretty cold and clinical and a touch artificial.  Add to fatigue factor, but responsive enough to upstream changes to be tamable.  A lot of folks like that type of sound and don't perceive it to be cold or artificial.  Emotiva has served as a gateway drug for many.

If music/stereo is the priority, even 50/50, I'd go in the same general direction as Charles suggested.  $1500, especially if you consider used,, gives you lots of options, including tube and hybrid.

Stfoth,
I didn’t bother with any tube power amplifier suggestions as it seems clear that there’s only an interest in transistors. The "cold and clinical " character you mentioned (Emotiva) is why I recommended the First Watt amplifiers. Probably as natural and lively as you’ll find for solid state, particularly for the stated price range. Howeve It’s hard to know what another person may like.
Charles

Great info group. Thanks! I have much research to do.
It will be 50/50 Audio/HT. I am considering the new Outlaw Atmos preamp that is suppose to be available this year. I also looked at the Emotiva XMC-1 but have heard they've had troubles with some of their offerings. Marantz 7703 or maybe a used/refurbed 8802 are under consideration too but the  Outlaw seems to have a good reputation and they are stating a target of $1200 for their Atmos pre/pro so that seems attractive.
Sources are an Oppo 103 for BR, (will go with a 203 in the future) An HTPC FLAC lossless through an IFI Micro DSD DAC for digital music and a Thorens TD-165 with an AT-440. for analog.
And here is the TMI paragraph if you would like to know more about my situation. My HT rack is in the rear of the room  My speaker cables to the DIs presently are over 60ft! I want to put the amp for the DIs in the front with them and feed it with balanced cables from the Pre/Pro to shorten the speaker cables to only 6ft. So I want a 2 (or 3 for center) channel amp in the front and the remainder in the back with the pre-pro. So I can't just have a single 7 or 11 (atmos) channel amp in the rear. That complicates things for me. I need to sort through some of these suggestions. The answer may be there. With Emotiva's XPA G3 amp, I feel like I'm wasting a lot only putting two power cards in that chassis designed for 7. Maybe that's just a quirk for me though. Are Marantz amps or pre/pros worth a darn?  Or are they just in the same class as my current Denon sonically? Thanks again for suggestions.

The best SS amps I have heard on the DI's have been Pass Labs XA-60.8 mono-blocks, Accuphase P-450 (this was my favorite driven by the Micro-ZOTL), First Watt SIT-2, and Perla Audio's Sig-50.  All of these are wonderful SS amps which present somewhat tube like in their color/tone and are slightly warm with great liquidity.  If still say I would not like to hear the DI's with less worthy SS gear because you would hear the "rough edges" very easily through these speakers.

Teajay,
Your suggested SS amplifiers are good recommendations but keep in mind the stated budget. He’ll never find those caliber of amplifiers used anywhere near 1500.00 dollars, thus my suggestions above. First Watt will get him serious quality 2 channel music reproduction if he can find a used one. The First Watt S.I.T.won't  be found in this price range either used. 
Charles