Graduating to separates need help

I’m using kef 104/2 speakers.  Not the biwired

Wattage a little low on the ayre

I guess I need help choosing a good preamp w built in DACs   Something better than the marantz

DACs look good but only pass 96/24 on toslink input?

Would one of those DACs beat this?



THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES®, Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6 and Dolby Headphone processing
3 Texas Instruments 32-bit processors for main room, one SHARC 32-bit processor for 2nd room
32 Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit D/A converters (20 for main room, 12 for 2nd room)
192kHz/24-bit A/D converters
multichannel Advanced ALPHA 24 Processing
Pure Direct mode
HDCD decoding
DDSC-Digital construction
Audessey Laboratories' MultEQ XT eight-point auto setup and room calibration system (microphone included)
4-room/4-source capability:
line-level and powered audio outputs for 2nd, 3rd and 4th rooms
composite, S-video and component video output for 2nd room
composite and S-video output for 3rd room
learning/multibrand touchscreen electro-luminescent remote
Faroudja DCDi scaling (480p/720p/1080i) for main-room component video output
Denon Link input
Two IEEE 1394 inputs (digital audio only)
DVI/HDMI switching (one DVI input, 3 HDMI inputs, one DVI output, one HDMI output — only one output can be used at a time)
HDMI version 1.1
2 multichannel inputs (one 9.1, one 5.1)
2 preamp outputs: one 9.1 (main room), one 5.1 (2nd room)
component video switching (100MHz bandwidth): 6 in (1 BNC), 3 out (1 BNC)
component video conversion for main-room and 2nd room
digital inputs: 6 optical (including one front-panel), 6 coaxial

I’m streaming. Or Cd.  
Anyone familiar with the Marantz Sr18

i need a dac/intg amp/intg preamp with better dac than marantz. 

It it seems silly but a used Denon AVR-5805 has crazy processing for usually $1000 and has gobs of power.  If I spend $1000 on a dac will it sound better?

No comments on the Denon AVR-5805 with 32 burr Brown DACs   And Audyssey     32 bit processors 
I keep reading on forums that in its price range there are no pre pro combos that can compete.   
I can still use my adcom.  
Or use extra money to upgrade to a better amp.   Adcom sounds ok to me more powerful but the old marantz sr18 amp sounded warmer.   And the denon avr5600 is actually pretty strong but the preamp section of the old denon is grainy harsh and lacks detail 

Seems the separates patrons have been silenced.  Lol.  

Really need to test side by side. No way to remember one from another.   

Anyone else?   Can anyone tell me if there is a preamp dac amp package I can get that will sound better than Denon AVR-5805

Broke down and bought an AVR-5805 for 1300.  Sounds amazing. Super crisp and detailed.  However my old Marantz sr18 may have been better.   I just ordered an sr14ex.  I’m going to do a head to head

Update
Marantz Sr14ex trounces all others.  To be fair I’m going to order the mic to use audessey adjustments on denon.   Otherwise marantz wins

Finally got my goosebumps back 

Bought a pioneer Vsx59Txi.  Again the marantz wins 

I want to do a head-to-head comparison of the pioneer the Denon and the Marantz receivers. I want to use a digital optical output and be able to switch between the receivers and have the speaker level outputs going into another switching system that goes to one set of speakers anybody know what components I would need