I always argue that there are (at least) two different answers to this question, depending on the answer to two questions regarding your listening practices:
1) Do you use your subs for two channel listening?
2) Is your source material exclusively digital?
If the answer to both of the above is "yes", IME you're best off with a great sounding AVR/pre-pro for 2 channel music listening. There's no ADC to consider and IMHO sub integration in the digital domain usually gets much better results than analog bass management. In this case, IMHO you should look for the best room correction/bass management software. I prefer Audyssey XT 32 pro, but many others like Anthem ARC, Meridien, etc.
If the answer to either (or both) of the questions is "no", you might want to think about the 2 channel preamp with pass thru as recommended by Jmcgrogan.
Marty
1) Do you use your subs for two channel listening?
2) Is your source material exclusively digital?
If the answer to both of the above is "yes", IME you're best off with a great sounding AVR/pre-pro for 2 channel music listening. There's no ADC to consider and IMHO sub integration in the digital domain usually gets much better results than analog bass management. In this case, IMHO you should look for the best room correction/bass management software. I prefer Audyssey XT 32 pro, but many others like Anthem ARC, Meridien, etc.
If the answer to either (or both) of the questions is "no", you might want to think about the 2 channel preamp with pass thru as recommended by Jmcgrogan.
Marty