Opinions on best "a/v reciever" used as "pre/pro"


Am currious to know everyone's oppinion(who's tried different modestly priced receivers) on which receiver has the best "pre-amp" and/or "digital processing" section for both movies and cd music in the "sub-$1k receiver" price point?! While I may use the amps in the receiver to drive the center and rears, I plan on only using the "pre-out's"(must have those) for the mains to go to my little tube amp for my "klipsch" speakers I'm going to use(I think)
So, I basically want to know what receiver has the most "hi-end", clear, open, detailed, and dynamic sound "digital in" from a DVD player for both DD/DTS movies and standard CD's! I don't want any receiver(I think) that retailed for much more than $1k(less used of course). Again, I'll be using another amp for my mains, and need "pre-out's" for the mains at least. I don't care any about trick surround modes, except perhaps Dolby Pro Logic II(preferably).
I am considering Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, Onkyo mainly(those 4). The speakers are probly going to be the "slightly foreward sounding" and agressive Klipsch SB2's driven by a Tube amp. Thanks for the input
foreverhifi
My current set-up utilizes a Arcam AVR100 as a pre/pro and drives the center/surrounds. It features a anolog pass-thru for CD. I use the L/R preouts to a pair of Monarchy Audio SM-70's (mono configured) driving Klipsch Forte's and am very pleased with the 5/2 channel performance in my 15/15 room. The Arcam was purchased here for well under $1000 and is highly rated for its DD/DTS and 2 channel performance. Other speakers are Klipsch KV3 center SP1 powered for the rears and a REL Q100e sub also found here at well under $1000.
My vote is the Sherwood Newcastle AVP-9080R used which leaves $400+ for a 3 channel amp budget. The R945MKII is a nice receiver for ~$400 used (I own one) - Does DTS and Dolby in 5.1... If you rould rather have new, check out the Onkyo Integra line $600 - $1200 for the lower priced units.
My suggestion would be between the Denon AVR3803 at about
1100.00 or the Yamaha RXV2300 at 999.99. Both of those would be a/v reciever.The Yam will give you better musical tone overall but the Den gives you upconversion of video
signal from composite & s-video to component output.That
gives you alot of flexibility for an A/V receiver.Combine that with your amp and your good shape.