Looking for Pre/Pro with great 2 ch sound

I have the Anthem AVM50 and Anthem Statement P5. Love them both! Video is great and 2CH is very good. Not as good as the Statement D2, but still sweet!
Roger

I would not buy a pre/pro based on video capability. I use a 3-in 2-out Octava HDMI switcher with my Proceed PAV/PDSD with excellent results. The PAV was said to be SOTA for S video, but who cares about S video now? Before HDMI, I took component video from my Direct TV HD-DVR and Sony 9100ES DVD directly to my Sony 36 XBR. Now I take HDMI from the HD-DVR and a Sony PS3-80 and to a Sony LCD monitor (that I plan to replace with a Sony VPL 50 or 60 front projector). My Sony 9000ES, back from Sony Laredo, provides stereo CD and SACD. Not sure what they did, but it sounds great now.

The constant is the excellent stereo I enjoy. At one time I thought to simplify and bought a penultimate Sony receiver. Much to my surprise, the spacious transparency I so enjoyed collapsed, much like a souffle that fell. Needless to say, I reinstalled the Proceed stuff. I gave the Sony receiver to a friend; it was a big step up from the Sony receiver he had.

db

that has a 5.1 input and great 2 channel. Video isn't a requirement.
I'm thinking Aragon Soundstage...I have a Rotel amp.
Any other opinions?

How about a processor, used, under $1000...that has a 5.1 input and great 2 channel. Video isn't a requirement.
I'm thinking Aragon Soundstage...I have a Rotel amp.
Any other opinions?

If you get a CasaNova, make sure it has DD, DTS, and most people prefer Circle Surround. Balanced outputs for L-R-C, is a very nice option too.