Recommendation for multi-ch pre/pro
I am a buy-and-keep-forever person. E.g., about a dozen years ago I bought Vandersteen 2B speakers, Adcom amp, NAD CD player and used them to date. Happy with that gear and the joy it brought to me every day.
About two weeks ago I began activity around HT. So I auditioned and bought the Snell XA 1900C LRC speakers (my Vandersteens will suffice for rear when I get around to that). I also bought the EAD PowerMaster 1000 5-channel amp. Both speakers and amp are used; I got good value for them and expect they will last me a dozen+ years.
DVD player is a Marantz.
Am in the market for a pre/pro. What would your recommendation be for the pre/pro to go with the {Snell, EAD PowerMaster, Marantz)?
For context:
What I buy I'd like to keep for a decade at least. My needs aren't that dynamic nor do I need to "keep up with the Jones".
Am looking at the Krell HTS -- this is the HTS 1.0, folks; I understand it will need an upgrade to last me even a year, Classe SSP-30, EAD TheaterMaster OvationPlus (or TheaterMaster 8000).
Only used model considered -- I simply find them better value than new units.
Quality (build, sound, etc.) are way more important for me than features. E.g., Cathedral, Stadium, etc. surround sound features are of least interest to me.
Assume usage is stereo music 60%+ of the time and HT 40%-, with weekend movies being the prime HT use.
All ears and eyes now, waiting for your recommendations folks!
