What Pre/Pro do you recommend?

I still think your best option is a pre with pass through so you can get the best of both worlds. Just a thought.

Ctsooner.....I appreciate the response....can you give me a couple examples of the preamps your talking about?

Thanks

Your in luck to be looking for a pre/pro with the release of the Marantz 8802 and seeing its right in your budget , I would hesitate to get one. I have had it in my setup for a week , it replaced an oppo 105 and Marantz 8801 and the sound is extremely pure ,dynamic and it has an incredibly low noise floor, its only been a week but this thing is beginning to sound great and not many will like what I'm about to say here but Marantz tweaked the inputs for digital and jitter is a non issue and the sound is better than my Oppo 105 direct to my Halo A21 for 2/ch!

@Jdub39, I had a Emotiva UMC200 that sounded killer compared to my old oppo 105. I did sell them both and bought a 103 strictly for video HDMI.

Marantz made a point on emphasizing what they did concerning jitter , I really can't believe how good it sounds, I sold my Oppo 105 as well and replaced it with a Marantz UD5007 to use as a transport. I did plan to get the 103D but didn't need the additional features and price, plus it makes nosense to spend that much when the new 4k players are around the corner. I must say though that the UD5007 is a fantastic player with picture quality on par with the 105 a has solid construction and good looks!