Wcj56, I own a B&K and it is awesome. I have listened and looked at most of the Pre/Pros mentioned plus others(including the Krell, Lexicon, Meridian). For the money(especially the used prices), the B&K is hard to beat. B&K's upgrade policy and service makes it a better value. Furthermore using a DVD with 24/96 out to the B&K D/A converters is amazing on the Master recordings. I would have to A/B a Pre/Pro in my system before I would conceed any of these will out perform mine. Not saying it is impossible, but I'm not ready to throw down the bucks for the highend hipe. Also, going from B&K to that Marantz??? Okay. Good luck......B&K Pre/Pros are great....LR
Help deciding on DD/DTS Pre-amp
Currently using a Yamaha 3090 as a Pre-amp and Sunfire Cinema Grande for power and Polk SRT system for speakers and Kimber for wires. I have decided that the Yamaha may be getting dated and it may be time to step up to the next level. I would like to stay solid state and not get too outrageous but I want quality sound in both 2 channel and 5 channel. I have seen the B&K Ref 20 and am considering a used one but wondered what you audiophiles think.