Used Preamp on a budget advice please.

As you, I had a Yamaha, and after a lot of research with a similar budget of yours, I got an anthem avm 20 and is great, make some research on them maybe you can reach a avm 30 or even a 40

I've decided to try a few options, new and old. I bought a Krell KAV-250P and a Parasound P5. 

I got a great deal on both and each has home theater pass through.  The Krell comes highly recommended as does the P5, but maybe to a slightly lesser degree. I'll post my findings after listening. 

Check out the Morrison ELAD too...only 2 inputs but sounds great

Of these, I've only heard the Krell, Its not as good as the newer Krells.  I have heard a few Old Classe,   The 6 & 60 are both great, the 6 is a bit darker than the 60. 
Also,  look at a Muse Model 3 Signature and an Audio Research LS9,  Might find an Adcom GFP750 at that price, then by a sheer stroke of luck maybe a  Belcanto Pre1... Pre 2 or 3 would be great, but I doubt that you'll find one at your price point... Good hunting, Tim

Well, the Krell KAV-250P showed up yesterday.  I connected it using the identical cables as my Yamaha Aventage HTR.  I'm running the Yamaha to Krell using it's theater throughput input.  This is interesting because with 2 different CD players in the system, it allows me to do real-time A-B listening using 2 copies of the same CD.

I've been told this Krell model is considered entry level Krell quality but I have a new found respect for the Yamaha HTR's preamp section.  I've had three people and myself do comparisons and if there are differences, they are incredibly subtle, almost to the point of being negligible.

To many on this forum, this may sound unbelievable and possibly sacriligious, but I am confident in my and others' opinion.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the 2 units have a similar sound or are of similar quality but I have a feeling it is my speakers (B&W 802 S2) that are the issue. 

I think the speakers just do not have the resolution that is needed to articulate the differences.  This is based on listening to a pair of B&W 801 S2's on the Yamaha (with Threshold) system (this is the basis for a different thread I started a couple months ago.).  The 801's are much more revealing when it comes to equipment and source material  Possibly the best resolution test I've found is using the Yamaha's "Pure Direct" mode.  When this mode is engaged with the 801s, the difference is not subtle.  It is like a veil has been lifted and the sound is more articulate and the soundstage is greatly enhanced.  With the 802's, I notice zero difference when the direct mode is engaged.  I find this very interesting since the the 2 speakers share the same midrange and tweeter units.  The 801s mids are glaring and fatiguing to me- and they lack midbass punch and have a somewhat boomy bass at times, probably due to my room.  This is why they are not my main listeners.  It has been stated that the 801s, atleast to some people, at first discover a heightened presence and resolution in the mids and lower treble only to realize this is due to somewhat increased levels in those frequencies, sometimes resulting in fatigue.

When time allows I plan on connecting the 801s to the Krell to see how they work with one another.  If there is an improvement, this will then put me on the search to replace the 802s.  I find this a daunting task as I will want to buy used to get the most for my dollars but will be limited to what is close for auditioning purposes. 

Lastly, I also have a Parasound P5 arriving today as well.  When the bug bites, it sometimes bites hard....