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Suggestions for an affordable pre/pro

My Adcom GTP-400 stereo preamp finally gave up the ghost a few weeks ago and it's time to finally delve into home theater. I don't want and can't afford audiophile components, just something on a quality par with my trusty old Adcom GFA-555 power amp. I'm not willing to completely sacrifice 2-channel listening just to get into HT. I bought a GFA-2535 power amp for the center and rears. I have no need for phono input. I would like to get good, basic 5.1 discrete theater sound for movies, and from what I understand, plain old Dolby Digital and DTS will do that for me.

My thinking was that since I don't want leading-edge surround codecs that I should look at older pre/pros of a quality that I couldn't afford if they were new. I had been using a cheapo 10 year old Pioneer ProLogic receiver for the center and rears for an approximation of surround sound, but that was matrixed and the 70 paper watts it put out was totally out of balance with my GFA-555 and my Sunfire sub. My goal is to have the same kind of sound quality for both 2 channel and 5.1 that I'm used to getting on 2 channel from my old setup. And I have to do it for $300 - $500.

Some ones that I've considered so far are:
- B&K Reference 30 - (known for clicking and popping noises during use, or distorting after getting hot?)
- NAD T 163 (known for hissing problems?)
- Integra DTC-9.4 (possible to find one at this price point?)
- Outlaw 950; 970-(buggy? QC problems?); 990 (price?)
- Rotel RSP 976 (funky remote and bad OSD? Will I regret lack of bass management?)
- Anthem AVM 2 (one for sale here that I can almost afford. Any known issues with them?)
- Marantz AV9000 (opinions?)
jwf512

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jwf512 OP
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Thank you all for your responses. There's no substitute for the experience of guys with good ears.

Bdgregory, I wasn't even aware that the Lexicon included a preamp until you suggested it. It's an intriguing possibility if I'm up to the setup and tweaking it would probably require. Lokie & Slbenz, I was starting to lean in the direction of an AVR until I won that eBay auction for the Adcom GFA-2535 power amp... now that I have amplifiers for all channels I think I'll go the pre/pro route. Javachip, thanks for giving props to my GFA-555 two-channel. It certainly is audiophile equipment to me. In fact, it's what introduced me to how good music can sound with adequate headroom. Kkm & Flrnlamb, you suggested the Acurus Act 3, which I hadn't considered because I wasn't aware of it. Based on your descriptions of it, that may be just the piece I'm looking for.
What's the story with Aragon Soundstage? I couldn't find as much information on it as I did on the others. Was it a short-lived product?
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