Best sub4k amplification and processing?

The Denon AVR-3805 has Denon-Link, which will pass DVD-A, but has not
been approved for SACD. It has component video switching capabilities, but
not HDMI. This is why decsions have to made with regard to the importance
of these features. Once a desired feature-set is identified, the choice of
receiver could narrow down substantially.

How important is High Rez Digital, SACD & DVD-A, to you?

What kind of front end are you using?

Do you want to use the DAC's in your front end, or are you looking for
a receiver to do your DA conversion?

If you're looking for a receiver to do DA Conversion, if you're interested in
High Rez digital, and if you have a Universal Player as your front end, does
your player have Firewire connectivity? HDMI? If it has Firewire connectivity,
or if you're interested in moving to a front end with Firewire connectivity,
you'll need a receiver (or pre-pro) with Firewire Connectivity.

At the present time, there are only a few receivers with this feature.

So, identifying a feature set is extremely important.

Thank you guys for all of the responces and now I will narrow it down and correct some of my mistakes as the nad numbers always mess me up. The T762 reciever at $1800 retail and the seperates at $3500 or the Signature series seps from NAD(used as they are no longer available and also somewhat aniquated) are the only nads on my short list. The new S2 B&K reciever would be the choice from B&K as the new upgrades are very nice-3 notch filters for the bass, and video transcoding(not upconversion as so many other companies call it). I could care less about dvi/hdmi. I am using a Consance cd2.2 tube output cd player, A Sony dvpns7700 dvd player which will get replaced by a universal most likely a pio elite 47ai, Talon khorus fronts with a martin logan depth sub. The Denon recievers are great sounding and I was up until a few months ago a dealer. So I am very familiar with their performance. I also being in the business have seen a competitor company that took a snap shot of "some" japanese recievers under an ociliscope that measured their actual output power with ALL CHANNELS DRIVEN at .09 thd and the results were jaw dropping. I will not name the companies here for this discussion as I am not into defaming product, especially when I am a dealer for two of the companies. Needless to say these are the companies NOT on my shortlist. Hope this helps and does not cause needless arguements...Firewire is not an issue either as I am from the two channel world philosophy of putting the $$$in the source. Most of them have proven not user friendly thus far anyway, with most companies not choosing to use it as its potentail...I am very interested in Anthem v/s B&K v/s Sunfire and the Bel canto stuff I just wrote off as being out of my price range, but the evo amp has always interested me...THANKS TO ALL...Scott

If you don't care about Firewire and HDMI, I would seriously think about
buying separates used. As someone else mentioned, you could get an
Anthem AVM 20, used, for around $2,000. I don't see a receiver as the way
to get great two-channel sound. I would go with an Anthem AVM20, a two-
channel amp for the front L & R, and a three channel amp for the other three
channels. You can get a used Anthem MCA-30 (three channel amp) for less
than $1,000. Then, go with a P-2 for the front left and right.

Another way to go would be to pick up a used Proceed AVP2 for your surround processor. If you're looking for a really neutral two-channel pass through with a remote control that will also do surround processing and
you don't care about the bells and whistles of the new receiver technology -- I guarantee you no receiver is going to compete with the Proceed AVP2 and people are literally giving them away because Mark Levinson discontinued the Proceed brand. The AVP2 has great DAC's, better than Anthem AVM20 and B & K, separates. A different league. The Proceed AVP2 MSRP'd for $6,200 --
nearly twice the price range. That would be the best bang for your buck.

What amps are you using for your Khoruses right now?

Keep those, add a three channel amp and a used Proceed AVP2.

Will sound a lot better than the receivers you're considering and
will still keep you in the same price range.