Well with a $3000 price range and you wanting to upgrade everything. I take that to mean a new TV also. If so then an amp and pre/pro might push you way over your price cap. This being a new hobby to you I would recomend trying a home theater reciever first. You can get a pretty good one for alot less money than an amp pre/pro setup. I use a Yamaha and have been very pleased with it for 3 years. You can pick up a pretty nice one without breaking the bank
Let us know what you go with.

Lasher