HT pre-amp/proccessor advise.

Have you considered the Outlaw 990? It has received nice professional reviews, and according to the threads on the Outlaw forums, it has sonic improvements over the 950 as well as more/newer features. I just ordered the Sherwood P-965, upon which the Outlaw 990 is closely based. Both products are within your price range.

I second the Audio Refinement - either the pre-5 or the Pre-2 DSP which I own. Both are excellent preamplifiers for 2 channel and 6 channel (SACD/DVDA) - the 6-channel inputs are dead-quiet! The pre-5 is all analogue while the Pre-2 DSP processes DTS/DD and DPL. I recently upgraded mine to be able to process DPL2 so it has that capability as well. I highly receommend you audition one of these units! Good luck!

Thanks for all of your responses. I'd really like to hear more about your AR Pre-2 if you find time. The all analog unit looks decnet, but I also run a digital output from the cable box to my pre-amp so I can listen to movies coming off the cable (HDTV) in DD 5.1. Therfore, I would probably lean more toward the Pre-2. And as for the new Outlaw, yes, I have been giving it some serious consideration. I've always been happy with the switching, HT performance, etc. of the 950. The anlog section is also very good, but just not quite as detailed as I'd like, but as you said, many are saying the new unit in vastly improved in this area. Good thing about the Outlaws is they let you test drive. I also read the 990 was based on the same platform as the Sherwood, but I'm curious as to why you chose the Sherwood, and if you don't mind, how much did you have to pay? The 990 has balanced outputs for all channels and DVI as well as component. Just trying to figure how you gave the edge to the Sherwood. Thanks again for your time and responses, I appreicate it.

Try the Rotel 1066 pre/pro. Its exactly what your looking for. You can get one for around 800-900.00 used.

The Pre-2 DSP is a really great processor. It may not do all of the whiz-bang things that Sony's and the like will do but it does do what it was designed to do very well. My only gripe is that the remote absolutely sucks. This can be amended with a $35 Sony learning remote. After the thing is set up properly all you need is the ability to switch inputs and change the volume.

Good luck!