Thanks, Steakster. Since I started this post, I think that the absolute BEST option doesn't exist (as I am aware anyway) and I don't know why. What would be ideal in my system would be a separate "processor only" that decoded DD and DTS (ES a bonus). I would run a digital out to this unit from a DVD player. The processor would then have analogue outs running into a preamp that accepted such. In fact, the Sony TAP-9000es seems like the best application since it has 2, 5.1 inputs and is all analogue pass through. This would allow for a processor AND an SACD/DVD-A player to be routed directly through the preamp. The Sony also has a true 2-channel analogue pass through so I could continue to use my DAC from my CD player! I may need more interconnects with this configuration but it would get rid of the other (more detrimental) compromises. Most AV preamps that have DD and DTS decoding, seem to convert ALL signals into digital for processing and then back to analogue. It seems that very few of them, in the $ range I'm looking at, have a high quality analogue pass through. This means I'm stuck with whatever DAC is in the preamp to ultimately produce the sound! At this point in my "journey", it seems like I have found the preamp but can't find a processor ONLY that does DD AND DTS. I have seen processors do one or the other but not both (I currently have an outboard DD processor). This approach seems to be the best for the upgrade path. Keep an excellent preamp that accepts multiple 5.1 and 2-channel inputs and just upgrade the "hardware" that makes the music - in this case a processor for the home theater stuff and a SACD/DVD-A/DVD-V for the video and hi-rez multi-channel stuff! It looks like the Sony can be had for around $400 and a good "processor only" shouldn't cost more than $800! For this $1200, I would have an awesome "AV preamp" that would provide me more flexibility with home theater and multi-channel, at a fraction of the cost of the big name (Anthem, Bryston, EAD, etc.) AV preamps that espouse to be great with home theater and stereo! I've even read posts here where people are advocating buying receivers to use as processors! Why buy all the other stuff in a receiver if you're not going to use it? I think the manufacturers are really missing the boat on this one (but what else is new?)!!!
