New or Upgrading Pre - Pro

Thanks for the responses.

My system is currently composed of - an Emotiva XPA 5 amp, Emotiva UMC - 1, as a pre-pro, an oppo 95 and Sonus Faber Cremona M's for the mains and center.

I have the upgrade bug. What is the next step?

A pre-pro? mono blocks for the mains?

Leave the 5 channel alone and doing something to maximize the 2 channel sound?

I have been out of the game so to speak for many years and don't know where to best spend to upgrade my system.

Again thanks for the advise.

If your budget is 2k you have lots of options. You didn't mention your speakers or amp, so I'll assume if 2 channel is your priority then you have full range speakers or great monitors with a sub. In terms of new, you have the Marantz ($1600) and Integra (at just over your budget at $2,600). The benefit of both is that you get 2 channel and room correction that is very good. I personally am not a Rotel fan. Good value overall but I don't like the sound and no room correction. This I feel that the Marantz is the best value in its class.

If you choose to go used, then yes you could get a "higher end" brand but I'm not quite sure what your goals are. What are your sources? If your sources are digital then the DAC in the unit make a difference. If you are using the DACs in the source then that is less of a priority. Example: A Parasound used is fantastic value but also analog only. The Anthem units have great overall quality from the DAC to room correction to output and offer separate settings and cross over for music and movies. You can have one set of settings for your CD player and another for for your BluRay.

There are also some older Lexicon preamps that have hit the market.

I cannot emphasize enough not to buy for brand or price but for your ears. If you can demo units at a dealer then do that. If you can't go new see
What they have used or as demo units. That way you also support your local dealer. Finally, the preamp is part of the sum of your system. I suggest you think about it in light of your speakers and amp and try and match that up with what appeals to your ears. Remember it is all about what your tastes are and what you like.

But before closing I cannot over emphasize the difference quality room correction makes!!!

Audiojan: Thanks for clarifying that about the decoding of the new high resolution formats. I wasn't 100% sure if both the source and processor had to decode. Question, in addition to the analog inputs as you mentioned, wouldn't it also work using an HDMI cable?

Another option to consider in that price range is the Anthem MRX300 receiver, to use mainly as a pre/pro, you could use some of the amps for extra surrounds or a second zone.
I was looking for pre/pros <5k and ended up with one. It comes with a slightly slimmed down version of ARC that's in their 6k+ pre/pros. Unlike the non-pro versions of Audyssey, it comes with a calibrated mic and uses a laptop for the calculations instead of the DSP in the unit itself.
It digitizes all inputs so ARC can be used, so it wouldn't work well if you want to use the DAC in your Oppo.

Your decision revolves around whether or not you want to go down the room correction path. If so, I would get a decent $2K new SSP with HDMI. This technology progresses fast and the older SSP just don't have the features you need.

The alternative approach is the focus on the 2 channel signal path. The 95 has excellent DACs, so no issue there. A good 2 channel preamp with HT bypass will definitely improve performance. Next you could get a good stereo amp or monoblocks.

Before deciding which way to go I would get a copy of the free REW (Room EQ Wizard), and measure your room. If it appears you have significant room mode issues the room correction path is probably preferable. If not, I would go the 2 channel sans EQ optimization route.

Keep in mind that if you are a savvy audiogon shopper, you can get a used preamp at a good price. If you don't think it does enough for your 2 channel system you just sell it and lose may be $50 worht of shipping and transaction cost. You can do the same with 2 channel poweramp.

If a new SSP does not work out the way you are expecting you end up taking a bit more of a hit.