Which pre/pro under 3k?

I sold Marantz for a long time. And tested many as well. It is still a 2 dimensional brand. Bel Canto and Oppo both can give depth. You would be a fool to buy a 2 dimensional pre amp. The Onkyo 5509 and Integra 80.3 both can give a wide and deep stage. But they also both give a much better individual physical image compared to Marantz.

When I sold Monitor Audio speakers, it is quite easy to outperform a Marantz amp. The Onkyo/Integra will win wiht a much more 3 dimensional image.

Comparing makes audio a lot more easy to understand!!

They both are prepared for Audyssey pro. They both can give an even higher endresult.

I have sold Arcam over 8 years of time. They still have one of the best musical sound in their price range.

But.....there are 2 limitations; Without roomcorrection Multi channel is never that balanced as with systems as with Audyssey Pro.

2nd limitation is that the stage has no depth. In all tests you Always get the same outcome in depth. When you use speakers who can give a deep and wide stage they will limit the endresults. This is a property that others can do a lot better.

In tests they should tell people how a stage is being build. But unfortunately this is not been tested.