mid-rang pre amp

You don't tell us what sources you want to use with a preamp, but there is a strong contingent that favors an Oppo 105 that can play a wide variety of discs, provide excellent audio/video processing through its rear HDMI connection, process computer audio through its asynchronous USB port, and provide most of the functions of a processor including speaker management and volume control. It does not accept analog input, but I'd guess it's unlikely one of your sources is a phono stage. The output from the Oppo would go directly to your amps and sub. It's a cost effective way to get high-quality stereo and multichannel sound with great video.

I do have a phono stage, so I use my 105 in bypass mode with an analog stereo preamp.

db

Runnin's first post re input restriction seems misguided. The 105 has two digital audio inputs, an HDMI input in the rear for cable and it would make Sleepie's Blu-Ray player redundant. I've never seen an X-Box, so i don't know if its output is digital audio or USB, but in either case it could be accommodated. Runnin's second post is an argument for the 105.

I assumed the cable box has HDMI output that would go to the rear HDMI input of the Oppo 105. The other two units would use standard digital AV connections.

In our setup HDMI output from a DirecTV HD-DVR goes to the 105, and uses the Oppo's superior video processing and DACs. Stereo from the Oppo goes to a Parasound Halo JC-2 analog preamp set to unity gain to match surround channels that go directly to Proceed HPA amps and to a Velodyne SMS-1 that provides LF ARC for a pair of HGS-15s. Video from the Oppo goes directly to a Sony projector. I need the analog preamp because a Parasound Halo JC-3 phono stage and Sony 5400ES share it with the Oppo. A Logitech Harmony One controls the entire setup.

For full disclosure, the turntable is a Thorens TD 124 with SME 3009 Series III arm and Ortofon SME 30H cartridge; speakers are KEF Reference 107/2 mains and 102 surrounds.

db