Just my opinion.
Best pre/pro under $1,000 = Onkyo PR-SC885P.
Best pre/pro for just over $1,000 = Onkyo PR-SC885P.
Best pre/pro under $2,000 = Onkyo PR-SC885P or 886P, or Integra DTC-9.8.
Best pre/pro for about $2,000 = Integra DHC-9.9.
Best pre/pro under $3,000 = Onkyo PR-SC886P and Integra DTC-9.8.
Best pre/pro for about $3,000 = Same as above.
$4,000 = Same.
Under $5,000 = Same.
Over $5,000 and less than $10,000 = Anthem Statement D2 AV/ARC1.
Same category, #2 spot = Denon AVP-A1HDCI.
Over $10,000 up to $41,500 or more = Are you kidding me, might is well stick with one of these two last ones.
But other good and expensive pre/pros = Krell Evolution 707 ($30,000 list).
.................................................... = Meridian 860 ($18,995 list).
.................................................... = Simaudio Moon CP-8 ($18,000 list).
.................................................... = Theta Digital Casablanca III HDMI 1.3 Edition ($ n/a).
.................................................... = Lexicon MC-12B HD EQ ($13,999 list).
.................................................... = Classe SSP-800 ($12,000 list).
.................................................... = Mark Levinson No40 ($30,000 list).
.................................................... = McIntosh MX136 ($9,500 list).
* The one that I am very interested in and that I'm following very closely is:
the TacT TCS mkIII/HDMI; price = to be negotiated, but list for $14,995.
!!!Caution!!! >>> This is only my personal opinion. Any reproduction, similarity or disparity with any of these names is purely coincidental.
And during the typing of this post, no animals were in no circumstances deliberately harm or subject to torture.
Well, maybe the cat get a little boot up here and there, but that's all.
Now, please do proceed with care and love.
Bob