Which "stand alone" processor ???

I recently disconnected the pre / processor / tuner ( Denon AVP-8000) that i was running in my HT system due to "upgraditis" or "audio fever". As such, i temporarily replaced it with one of my two channel preamps ( Marsh P2000 ). I chose the Marsh out of my collection as it offers good versatility with quite a few inputs along with a full function remote. After all, who wants to get up to adjust the volume when watching a movie : )

The synergy that this created with the Sunfire Signature (mains) and Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature (center, surrounds, subs)is quite excellent. It's given me the "fullness" and "musicality" that i was always lacking up to this point in time. On top of this, my "big box" towers have now seemed to disappear. While they have always imaged quite well, you could always tell where the speakers were. The music is now filling the room instead of coming from specific points along the front wall. With such unexpected results, i've decided to leave this combo in place and seek out a seperate processor.

For the record, i've had pre / tuner / processors from Denon ( AVP 8000 ), Parasound ( I think it was the 1800 ??? ), Marantz (AV-9000), etc.. I went this route as a matter of convenience and space saving. Prior to this, i had a seperate tuner (Yamaha TX-950), preamp (AGI 511A) and processor ( Technics AC-300 ) in this system that worked okay, but was just too much in terms of rack space and was tonally lean overall. Since the current Marsh / Sunfire combo is by far the best sound that i've ever gotten out of this system, i'm willing to "eat up space" again in order to maintain the level of sonics that i've now achieved.

Maybe it's the fact that i'm listening in two channel rather than surround that seems "more natural". The funny thing is that i'm now using the stock DAC in the DVD player ( Sony DVP-650C) with far better than expected results. I was using the DAC's in the various processors in all of the other installations. I did this because the Sony had what seemed like way too much "digital glare" when trying to use it by itself in the past. Either way, i now have the most seamless sound with a bigger, deeper soundstage than this system has ever given me. I'm really wondering how much "bigger" it can get with all of the speakers running.

Given the above info and situation, has anybody else "been there, done that" ??? If so, were you able to incorporate a stand alone processor that did not compromise the sonics of the system as a whole ??? If so, what processor worked the best for you ? Quite honestly, one of my main concerns is that the processor either be reasonably priced or easily upgraded for future formats. I don't want to sink a lot of money into a processor that is out of date in six months. As such, the processor that i was considering before dropping the Marsh into the system ( Sunfire Theater Grand Mk II ) will be replaced later this year from what i'm told. Like many others, they will be coming out with a 7.1 channel system and that's what has me leary about buying something that is CURRENTLY "state of the art". Any thoughts or comments welcome.... Sean
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