There is a tiny problem with those Pre-Po...they are a bit too tall for my rack! And i don't want it to be outside my rack. (My Denon 4306 fits perfectly.) My other choice is just to get a Denon 4311ci, but this is an AVR, not a dedicated pre-pro. The 4311ci is also only around $1500 new...vs nearly $3k for the above pre-pro. And 4311ci has Audssey XT32 and "Pre Amp Mode" which tries to make the 4311 into a pure pre-pro unit.
This is what audioholics have to say about "Pre Amp Mode":
"Lastly, the AVR-4311CI has a feature that we've only seen on two other receivers before (Yamaha RX-Z7 and RX-Z11) - Pre Amp Mode. For years we've been suggesting to our readers that they get a receiver with pre-outs so that, if they feel the need, they can add an amp later. Dedicated separates were (for a very long time) out of the reach of most consumers and were (until recently) usually lacking some of the most recent features. Opponents of using a receiver as a pre amp often sited multiple reasons (not all of which were valid ) for not using one. Denon has addressed all that with their new Pre Amp Mode. Now, the external amplifiers can be disconnected from the power supply section, thereby allowing all other operating components to receive the purest power and also eliminating any chance of “noise” from the amplifier section infiltrating and potentially degrading the audio/video paths. In a brilliant move, Denon has allowed the Pre Amp Mode optional setting in which selected amplifier channels may also be configured for multi-zone use, while the main zone amplifiers are shut down. This gives users a tremendous amount of flexibility in setting up their system in a variety of ways without compromising fidelity or features."
