[tonyvdb]

It depends on what your using for a receive now? Processing has come a long way in the last 5 years and a new receiver with room coorection is a must. For between $1500-$2000 you can buy a supper nice receiver from Onkyo that will blow away the compittition. All mid to high end receivers have a pure direct mode that bypasses all but the nessisary internal processing to give you the purest two channel sound you can get.

 

[tonyvdb]

For me a receiver is out of question.

May I ask Why?
For the same amount of money you spend on a Preamp you can get a receiver that has far more features and has pre outs so you can use it as a preamp and still get all the features.

 

[tonyvdb]

Before going to separate, I was using receivers. I wouldn't want to down that path again.

This may have been the case 5 or mor years ago but receivers have come a very long way in the last 5 years. Your not giving them a fair chance and you will be spending allot more money than you need to. I'd put my Onkyo 805 up against any PrePro you can find for even tree times as much and I bet you would never be able to tell the difference.

 

[tonyvdb]

While reading about processor, I've noticed that some are great for surround sound but only fair for 2 channels. Since I used a high end turntable ( with phono preamp)

I own an Onkyo and I can asure you the the Onkyo's and Integras and many others do a superb job with two channel playback They even have a pure direct mode which turns off all internal processing except what is necessary giving you the cleanest sound possible.