Need advice on media player and or dacs

If at all possible do not combine a home theater and 2 channel system. It may seem cheaper, but it comprises so much. I would rather have a 2 channel system in a walk in closet, separate from a home theater. You can craft the sound… carefully place the equipment and generally do what you want.

There are very different sonic objectives between a home theatre and 2 channel system.

Fortunately over the last thirty years I have developed a home theater with my partner separate from my 2 channel. Now, they are both at exceptional levels of performance. We are old now, and if I had not done this separation, I would not be able listen to my 2 channel system for three hours a day at any volume I wish. So many advantages.

You shouldn’t worry yourself with 2 channel DACs or streamers. If you use any of the Marantz’s features such as bass management, peq, etc, a purist DAC’s analog output will go through a ADC conversion inside your Marantz unit. Besides, your unit with all its features can beat the crap out of most of them in execution, if you can set it up right.

@deep_333 Horse hockey! And +1 @ghdprentice This is a statement from someone who has no concept of a high-performance, 2-channel audio system and even less of a concept of the importance of a preamp in that chain. Nor does he have any idea of the importance of a good DAC and that it should NEVER be processed through an AVR or even an AVP. As evidence, I’ve never seen one high-end manufacturer use an audio/video processor or AVR in any audio showroom exhibit at any audio show EVER. Why do you think that is???

Thanks peeps. What pre amp would pair well with my paradigm founder 100f's and my anthem mca325 without breaking the bank. 2-3k range....?

And do i understand it correctly that a stereo preamp can have a bypass to isolate from my speakers from the avr, but when im watching movies i can switch my L/R channels back to my avr?

First, concentrate on getting your HT properly set up, including acoustical treatments for your room. The LCR speakers should all be matched, and setup using the onboard PEQ. The top (Atmos) and surround speakers should also be voiced similarly, although they don't need to be identical in brand to your mains. Once you have that set up and have a reliable reference, the go ahead with building on the dedicated 2-Ch system, with its own source and amplification.

Remember this: in statistics there is the concept of 'measurable, not meaningful'. Doubling your power gives you 3dB more peak level. Unless you play at peak levels, 3dB is exactly that, a measurable improvement but not very meaningful. Like wearing insulated shoes that reduce chances of lightning strike by 50%. Measurable, but not terribly meaningful.