I've been using the Outlaw 990 preamp processor and 7500 Amp for about 12-14 years I believe. I also use an Oppo BDP-95 for CD, SACD, movies, where it's analog outs are connected to the 990's 7.1 Direct RCA Inputs.

The thing is, I'm looking to get a dedicated SACD/CD player, and have read that the 990s RCA CD input is not recommended to be used in this case, as it will be applying bass management and room correction (that is not applied with using the 7.1 direct input).

What is like to find is a Preamp Processors similar to the 990 (that has the 7.1 direct input and XLR out for the amp) but also has dedicated 2ch XLR inputs to use with a SACD player (I haven't decided on which player to go with).

Basically what I've found is that having XLR I puts is pretty rare, and the Marantz AV88xx line are one of the few to have it (such as the AV8802/8802A and newer). The thing is I don't need all these Atmos outputs and 4 sub outs.

Can anyone recommend a good quality (new or used/discontinued model) Preamp Processors that has 7.1 direct in, 2ch XLR in, and XLR amp outputs (not needing Atmos)?

Thanks.

You might want to see if you can find a used Outlaw 976 out there.
That is what I replaced my 990 with when it finally died a few years ago.

The 976 would be a good choice but lacks XLR 2ch inputs for a SACD player. But even if I were to use the regular 2ch RCA input, it's not a "direct bypass" like the 7.1ch direct input.