I think a lot of people are going the reciever as pre/pro path because 1. It is cheaper and 2. Receivers have the latest features ( although most of them seem like gimmicks and don’t offer enough reason for the upgrade IMHO) Now as far a sound quality is concerned it takes a lot more than the latest DAC’s to make a quality sounding piece. If the pre/pro section of most receivers was as good as a dedicated pre/pro than why aren’t companies like Denon and Yamaha or Pioneer offering these as a pre/pro option? It would seem if they sold them without the amp section they could manufacture them cheaper and sell them for more just because it is a pre/pro. The only reason IMHO that I believe they do not is because they would then have to be tested and compared side by side to true pre/pro options and there sound quality would prove lacking. Please don’t take this wrong, there are some fine receivers out there but they are not in the same league as separates. Just my .02

Lasher