Depends. If your priority is 2-channel music then go the stereo preamp route. If you're into surround music/movies then maybe a high-end pre/pro is in order. Either way, with the unknowns with the new formats I'd be hesitant to invest big dollars in a pre/pro at this time, even though they SAY they'll support future formats...who knows what's coming in the future? Audio's track record isn't so good in the upgrade area...there's likely to be some downfall or compromise heading your way.
Here's the thing. It's gonna be a while before recording engineers/techniques and the equipment allow multi-channel recordings to better good stereo recordings played on good systems. In the meantime, you'll have a great stereo preamp to allow you to fully enjoy the music as it will likely exist for the forseeable future and have a path for efficient upgradeability should things change. Best of luck.
Tim
Here's the thing. It's gonna be a while before recording engineers/techniques and the equipment allow multi-channel recordings to better good stereo recordings played on good systems. In the meantime, you'll have a great stereo preamp to allow you to fully enjoy the music as it will likely exist for the forseeable future and have a path for efficient upgradeability should things change. Best of luck.
Tim