mid-rang pre amp

PS: The way technology is advancing in the home theater world, it's almost counterintuitive to spend large dollars on a pre amp processor when it'll be out of date within a couple of years, unless you are sure you won't get enticed by the newer technology coming down the pike.

Runnin's first post re input restriction seems misguided. The 105 has two digital audio inputs, an HDMI input in the rear for cable and it would make Sleepie's Blu-Ray player redundant. I've never seen an X-Box, so i don't know if its output is digital audio or USB, but in either case it could be accommodated. Runnin's second post is an argument for the 105.

Yea, I believe its digital. Thank you all for the reply Just letting you all know that I went with the marantz av7791. I can't wait to hook it all up to start watching movies!!

Not sure how the xbox and ps3 and cable box could all be accommodated since they obviously all output video as well as audio, but the Marantz AV 7701 seems like a good middle-of-the-road choice if one is set on a dedicated processor.

Perhaps Dbphd could explain this as it would be helpful to other readers?

I assumed the cable box has HDMI output that would go to the rear HDMI input of the Oppo 105. The other two units would use standard digital AV connections.

In our setup HDMI output from a DirecTV HD-DVR goes to the 105, and uses the Oppo's superior video processing and DACs. Stereo from the Oppo goes to a Parasound Halo JC-2 analog preamp set to unity gain to match surround channels that go directly to Proceed HPA amps and to a Velodyne SMS-1 that provides LF ARC for a pair of HGS-15s. Video from the Oppo goes directly to a Sony projector. I need the analog preamp because a Parasound Halo JC-3 phono stage and Sony 5400ES share it with the Oppo. A Logitech Harmony One controls the entire setup.

For full disclosure, the turntable is a Thorens TD 124 with SME 3009 Series III arm and Ortofon SME 30H cartridge; speakers are KEF Reference 107/2 mains and 102 surrounds.

db