I think right now is a bad time to get a processor for the advanced formats till the better vendors weigh in, if that is what you are after. Right now, the receiver market has the next gen cornered. I think the New Onkyo is the only Pre/Pro out now that you can get. One might be better off getting a receiver till the Pre/Pros catch up.
One thing to remember, Pre/Pros are better than receivers because they have less work to do. It does switching, and processing, where as a receiver does switching/processing/amplification...
so...
Lets see what the likes of Parasound, B&K ( I'm realy looking foreward to the Ref 70
) Rotel, and Adcom ( Hey, I like Adcom
) have to offer. I'm looking at the possibility the new
Denon Pre/Pro...Kinda pricey at $7K, but I think with all it does, it may very well be worth it.
j