Best processor that is excellent for 2 Ch music

About the EAD gear used for 2 channel.I totally agree.
The Theatre Vision DVD player when used as a cdp is ok when you use the analog outs.It is really transformed into a different player when you run from its digital out(I use Harmonic Tech Magic one 1.5 m)into the Ead 5.1 processor.
I always marvelled at how good the sound was at the end of rented DVDs.I tried the dvd player. the processor and the EAD 500 amp with my CLS speakers and couldn't be happier with my 2 channel sound.Oh I bought a cheap Yami for the HT.Smooth, yet detailed sound,very musical.

Another vote for the used Sunfire Theater grand ....would be excellent in your price range. RCA and xlr connections, phono preamp and a nice tuner....if you've got good electronics to go with it, you'll be quite pleased.

I also have to say Arcam. I did a ton of research when I wanted to buy seperates. I thought I was sold on a pair of Anthem seperates (6K for the pair)... then I heard the AVR300. What was shocking was the analogue bypass. As soon as I engaged it, (or disengaged it hahaaa), I was shocked by the sound. I am not the one to say, this is better than that, or this will blow away that... but it DEFINIATELY competed with the MUCH more expensive Anthem seperates, and actually perfered it in everyway. Even the store owner said he would show me a pair of 13K seperates, and also thought that it might be a "bit" better... but nothing to go running at over the AVR300.