Blu ray upgrade?

Dbphd,
Your thinking is right where mine is. Have been looking at receivers today.

Considering Denon, Onkyo, Marantz (reading on some of the older units discussed Pop of Death). Can get decent units in the $500 range. Used as a pre in 2 channel with the analogue input from the dac will there be much difference in sound between these 3 or will I be better off to continue using the ref 20 and dac for my 2 channel?
.
Have to have a receiver with zone 2 that will play from any source that is connected with analog and would like at least Audysee eq and auto volume control. Any recommendations?
Thanks again.
Steve

Denon/Marantz/Onkyo receiver will be no match in 2-channel for a separate pre-amp in the vast majority of cases. I built a separate 2-channel system because I was so disappointed in the 2-channel music quality coming from my Denon 3310. Consider this: an AVR is designed to do many things well, a component pre-amp is designed to do ONE thing well.
The quality of the DAC is only as good as the quality of your analog output stages, the sound still has to go thru a volume pot. If you already have a component pre, I'd keep it until you buy your AVR, that way you won't have any regrets.

Realremo
Thanks for the thoughts.
My thinking was that a much newer processor with the Dac60 converting dig to anal. might match or surpass the s/q of the dac+B&K Ref 20 (h/t processor) that I use now for 2ch.

The ref20 2ch with dac60 was compared years ago to the denon 2802 +dac and I found the ref 20 combo superior. Realizing that it is mainly the vol pot I just figured the newer processor might be superior. Will have to do the comparison again.

After the newer processor and BR player will come a new pre for 2 ch.
Thanks again,
Steve