Best AV receiver to use as an AV pre amp

Reading comprehension capabaility seems to be at a minimum here, with the 2 channel bigots more than a little unsmart.

Let's start with the title: "Best AV receiver to use as an AV preamp" Well duh, where's the 2 channel (or stereo) bit?

He wants to use the outboard amp for front three channels and the internal amps for the rear. Again, you snooty schumks, where's the 2 channe; bit coming from.

Maybe time to actually READ and UNDERSTEND the question before you let your bias and bigotry show through.

Anyway, to the OP - sorry for the nitwit crowd, and there's plenty of Integra's and higher end pieces that should serve you well.

Thanks all. But, the point of this thread was to try ands get some ideas on what people thought was a better AV receiver than my current Denon to use in my situation described above....or will they all sound about the same ans stick with the Denon.
The NAD was mentioned...as was the Marantz in passing. Are these truly better options than my Denon 2808 ? Any other suggestion that folks have had success with that can offer any feedbacl. ?

I've been pretty impressed with the sound quality I am getting from my Onkyo TX-NR809 as pre-pro to my McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe RevA power amp. I get a really nice, defined soundstage on both music and movies. I run a 4.0 system, and I use the Onkyo internal amps for the surrounds. It also sounds pretty darn awesome on SACD and DVD-Audio via HDMI.

As to comparing to different receivers, my 809 replaced a Yamaha RX-V1800 in the system, and I immediately noted better clarity and dynamics with the Onkyo. The newest receivers do have the latest DACs, which I do think makes a difference.

Frankly, I don't understand the personal, ego driven attacks which too often surface on this forum. Like everyone, I have opinions, but the value of a forum, for me, is to learn, gather information and share, not to step on other people. Speaking only for myself, this is why I share very little on Audiogon and prefer more collegial venues. This particular thread should NOT have been controversial or an "outlet" for disagreeable personalities. Knock it off. Cheers.

Daalyd31,

I agree with some of the other posters that, if you really want better 2-channel sound, you're going to be disappointed by just switching to another AVR. You may get marginally better,or atleast different, sound from a different avr. But, to acheive your goal of a significant improvement in 2-channel performance, it will require a good dedicated 2-channel preamp with ht passthru.
Your Bryston amp, paired with a nice ss or tubed preamp with ht passthru, is your best chance at acheiving very good 2 channel performance. I would recommend asking a local high-end retailer if you could home test a couple prior to purchasing to see if they meet your needs. Ideally, you'd want to try out a ss and a tubed version.
BTW, I don't consider myself a 2-channel snob, I just know through experience that this solution worked for me when searching for a similar solution. Good luck.