Options for replacing current AV pre-processor?

[El Bastardo]

G'day,

I've got a Rotel RSP-1068 AV pre-processor, used for both home theatre
and stereo usage, connected to a Rotel RMB-1095 5x200w amplifier. The
RSP-1068 was quite an expensive bit of kit (around $2000).

However, lately I've been thinking about getting a dedicated stereo
set-up, and possibly a HTPC for DVD/TV usage.

So I'm wondering whether I'll be using the RSP-1068 as much, or at all.
If I don't go the pure HTPC route, then all I need is an external Dolby
Digital/DTS/PCM decoder, for connecting the audio output of the DVD
player to a multi-channel amplifier. And maybe a video pass-through. The
RSP-1068 seems a bit of overkill for this purpose.

So: in terms of pure DD/DTS decoding, what are my options? Are there
stand-alone DD/DTS/PCm decoders? Are there other AV pre-processors
available that are just as good as the Rotel (but around the $1000 price
point)? Or can I get (say) a Marantz or Denon AV receiver for around
$1000 whose decoders are just as good (even though I don't need its
amplifiers)?

Any thoughts appreciated.

-- Geoff

[Gordon]

"El Bastardo" <ewww@dogwater.org> wrote in message
news:Fcu4e.881$5F3.245@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> G'day,
>
> I've got a Rotel RSP-1068 AV pre-processor, used for both home theatre and
> stereo usage, connected to a Rotel RMB-1095 5x200w amplifier. The RSP-1068
> was quite an expensive bit of kit (around $2000).
>
> However, lately I've been thinking about getting a dedicated stereo
> set-up, and possibly a HTPC for DVD/TV usage.
>
> So I'm wondering whether I'll be using the RSP-1068 as much, or at all. If
> I don't go the pure HTPC route, then all I need is an external Dolby
> Digital/DTS/PCM decoder, for connecting the audio output of the DVD player
> to a multi-channel amplifier. And maybe a video pass-through. The RSP-1068
> seems a bit of overkill for this purpose.
>
> So: in terms of pure DD/DTS decoding, what are my options? Are there
> stand-alone DD/DTS/PCm decoders? Are there other AV pre-processors
> available that are just as good as the Rotel (but around the $1000 price
> point)? Or can I get (say) a Marantz or Denon AV receiver for around $1000
> whose decoders are just as good (even though I don't need its amplifiers)?
>
> Any thoughts appreciated.
>
> -- Geoff
Stick with the Rotel1068 Geoff.The internal electrical enviroment of most
p.c's is unlikely to yeild statisfactory sound quality.$1k recievers , even
from denon or marantz , are not going to come close to the abilities of the
1068.P.C's certainly offer flexibility but are a pain in the arse as far as
ease of use goes.
Gordon