What's Good 5.1 pre/pre with DD, DTS, DPL II

In the MSRP range you've indicated, I'd give Rotel a serious look. Not many manufacturers are making a pure 5.1 pre/pro now, as everyone seems to think that more surround channels means better sound (often, maybe even rarely, true). Like you, I decided to stick with 5.1 channel HT, and haven't regretted the decision a bit. If you are willing to buy a used pre/pro, add the Bryston SP1 to your list. It's a really fine unit with analog bypass, although it lacks inputs for SACD as well as Dolby Pro Logic II. Several used SP1's have been listed for salerecently on A-gon in the $2200-2400 range.

Based on what I have read -- I have not done an A-B comparison between the SP1 and SP1.7 -- the SP1.7 is an upgraded SP1 that provides 5.1 SACD/DVD-A analog inputs, 6.1 and 7.1 formats, and several updated HT processing formats (Dolby ProLogic II, etc.). There may also be an upgrade to the DAC chip. For more info, I suggest you read comments on Bryston's web site (www.bryston.ca), or send an E-mail to James Tanner, Bryston's technical guru. (You can send an E-mail by going to the web site, and clicking on the link that says "Contact".) Tanner is great about giving prompt replies -- I have never waited more than 4 hours to get an answer from him or one of his staff.

Distortion: you may have had a chip upgrade done to your SP1.7, but that is not the same as having a SP1 upgraded to the 1.7 version. The upgrade from 1.0 to 1.7 is very extensive: replacement of the rear panel inputs to include 5.1 jacks for SACD/DVD-A, output jacks for 6.1 and 7.1 channel output, updated surround-sound processor formats (such as Dolby PL2), etc. The last time I checked, the cost for the conversion was $1000, plus another $200 for the newer remote.