Best AV receiver to use as an AV pre amp

Dallyd, sorry for your frustration but I believe there is a misconnect in this thread. It of course started by you asking for an AVR with a preamp section for 2 CHANNEL MUSIC. So, some of us suggested that you consider a 2 channel PREAMP with HT Bypass; only ONE component. You will still use your Denon, Bryston, et al. However, twice you came back and said separate 2 channel GEAR is not an option. I think some of us are construing the word GEAR as plural. Our mistake and we come back again with the same suggestion. We just want to be sure you do not think we are talking about a separate 2 channel system.

I am going to assume that what you mean is that you cannot even add another component so using an AVR as your preamp is the only viable option. Therefore to address your specific question about what AVR's perform best for 2 channel only, I would agree with others who suggested NAD and would add that the ARCAM's I have heard may even better, especially the AV400 on up. Finally you can consider auditioning Cambridge Audio AVR's too. You now have three brands to listen to with, in my opinion ARCAM being the best.

To consider the mainstream AVRs, Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc , you might as well keep your Denon. I not believe this these will give you what you are looking for. I hope this helps and provides you exactly what you need.

The Onkyo PR-SC5509 is a bargain. Wenn you use it with Audessey pro there is nothing to beat. Denon, Nad, Marantz and even Bryston are all 2-dimensional brands. These Brands are not capable of depth, only a little max. This means almost all instruments and voices are on one line. I call this standard audio. Depth is the most exiting part in highend audio. I have an extreme 3d holographic image. Now voices are even more open then wenn I used and owned the Pass labs XP-20.

"The Onkyo PR-SC5509 is a bargain."

That I agree with totally.

"Wenn you use it with Audessey pro there is nothing to beat."

I agree with mostly but would use "difficult to beat".

"Denon, Nad, Marantz and even Bryston are all 2-dimensional brands. These Brands are not capable of depth, only a little max. This means almost all instruments and voices are on one line."

I have not used Bryston but disagree that NAD is 2 dimensional. My experience with my NAD pre-pro/Acurus amps combination is a huge deep and wide soundstage with great seperation and yes a lot of max.

Bill

I also experienced the same thing with my NAD T773 receiver since OP wants another receiver.

Bill

I've been using an Anthem MRX300 as a pre/pro for the last year. I've been happy with it, but I'm not super picky. For the main outs, everything is digitalized so room correction can be applied, so if you want a true direct pass-through, you have to use the second zone outputs. For $1k, I think I made a good choice.