Pre with Pass-Thru for HT Processor

I use the Adcom GFP750 for exactly this purpose. It has a HT bypass, and I have it hooked up just that way - the DAC goes right to the CD input, and the processor goes to the processor input, which goes right to the amp output without the Adcom doing anything to the signal. It works perfectly, and I gotta add, the Adcom is a killer at that price range. It's the cheapest thing in the system and it keeps up with everything else in the 2-channel (Theta, Bryston, Snell) just great. Used on Agon for 7 or 8 hundred all the time. But whichever preamp you go with, I found exactly what you suspect, even great processors (like the Cassanova) can't keep up with a (much cheaper!) good pre-amp. The HT bypass is the simplest way to go.

Cool deal. Thanks Dbw1. Will certainly look into it.

Also check out the BAT VK3i which has the balanced input and output capability and HT pass-thru and optional remote. Used should be just about $1K.

Thanks, Swampwalker. I hadn't thought of BAT components... I've heard great things of them... Didn't know they had a pass-through option. I'll certainly expand my search.