Can you help me select a pre/pro?

Not sure what you mean by 5.1 downmix option. Dolby Digital and DTS on standard DVDs are 5.1. Dolby ES and DTS Discrete are 6.1, but if you only want to use 5 speakers plus the subwoofer, no problem -- just leave one of the rear channels unconnected. Dolby Prologic IIx converts regular stereo, Dolby, or DTS to 7.1, so if you don't want 7.1, then leave ProLogic IIx turned off. Only the new lossless formats on Blu-Ray have native 7.1 soundtracks that could be "downmixed" to 5.1. Is that what you mean? Or are you talking about multichannel audio such as SACD or DVD-A?

In my previous post, please correct "Dolby ES" to "Dolby EX" and "DTS Discrete" to "DTS ES."

Thanks Javachip. What I meant was taking a standard 5.1 digital signal and downmixing it to 2 channels, including the LFE. (Many downmix options do not include the LFE channel.) I would also like the same pre/pro be able to process a 2 channel PCM signal from my CD transport. I am currently a 2 channel guy, but I am getting ready for the switch and would like to begin with the solid foundation of versatile pre/pro.

So, to clarify, you want to be able to convert 5.1 to 2.0, and have the LFE information sent to the main speakers?

If so, then here are my comments:

1) I am not sure that my pre-pro (Sherwood-Newcastle P-965) will do this, but it might, if the multichannel surround modes are manually disabled, and "Stereo" is selected with front speakers set to "Large" and Subwoofer set to "None." I do know that the P-965 will "remaster" or upsample CD digital output, and I can say that this feature does not make any noticeable difference in my system.

2) Redirecting a LFE track to the front speakers may strain, or possibly damage, those speakers, even those of high quality.

3) Many DVDs offer Dolby 2.0 as a setup option, in which case you would not need any downmixing.

4) You might want to investigate the Outlaw 997 and see if it has the features you mention. You can go to the "Saloon" chat forum on www.outlawaudio.com and ask "Gonk" about downmixing and upsampling. He will know.

Good luck.