PRE_AMP for ATC- actives??

Assuming you have an excellent two channel source already then EMMLabs gear seems popular with ATC's - any chance you could audition a Switchman?

This would allow you to select any combinations of analog signals. Only issue is that it is not 7.2....so you would inevitably be 3 channels short for full 7.2! However, some people use this just for two channel.

Also have you considered a tube CD player such as a Wadia?

I can't help more because SS seems to work fine for me and i just don't have the experience. I currently have an acoustically treated and carpeted room - it works fine with response set flat. However, I can imagine what you mean about softening the sound. Previsouly I had ATC's in a large room with wooden floors (Gymnaisum and also a large open plan living room) and it was definitely bright/harsh sounding within such a reflective environment...my solution, at that time, was a -3db EQ filter at 4 Khz, as the wife just adored the wooden floors and carpets were NOT an option.

Good Luck! - It would also be nice to see your system pics?

Pretty much anything works as far as I know....provided it is XLR balanced. If you use an RCA only preamp then there is a small risk that you can't play them as loud as they can go before the pre-amp runs out of juice.

Bgordon,

That must be 10 Kilo ohm input impedance which is pretty much standard.