[rockadanny]

Looking for this. Any suggestions?
I may have to get an integrated or AV receiver if I cannot find a pre as described in the subject line. But I'd rather try to find this kind of pre first.

[Phil A]

There's plenty of receivers -


http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR308/Onkyo/TX-SR308-5.1-Channel-3-D-Ready-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html


http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARNR1501/Marantz/NR1501-Slimline-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html

[Letitroll98]

I don't know if the Pioneer VSX912K receiver used as a preamp would fit you needs, about $100 used on eBay (the model is long since discontinued).  I've be startled by the quality of this supposedly crappy Japanese unit, but only as analog preamp, I didn't care for the internal DAC, and it only has coax in, no optical.  I don't know why anyone would use optical instead of coax unless you have no other options.  The power amp side is excellent, but extraordinarily fussy about speaker load, only 8 ohm minimum with sensitivities above 90db need apply.  However I'm still using the unit as an analog preamp with great success.  Here's the long and winding thread: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68889.new#new  I'm thinking about starting a thread here about it, but want to solidify my impressions of it first.

The other suggestion is the Maverick Audio TubeMagic DI, $200 stock, a couple dollars more for the improved tube set.  http://www.mav-audio.com/base/product/tube_magic_d1

[rockadanny]

Letitroll - actually, I could use RCA audio in if it has two pairs, one for my cable box and one for my DVD player. Here's the story:
I have an amp for TV/DVD sound. It has volume control but no remote. In order to remotely control the volume I'd have to use cable box or some other device. My TV has ONLY optical audio out (line level - not controlled by TV volume). My cable box has various audio outs. I am using Comcast cable box audio outs to an amp for TV sound, and also had my DVD player connected to Comcast cable box audio in so I could control volume for DVD player via cable box as well. DVD player and cable box both connected via HDMI to TV for optimal picture. Problem: Comcast's latest on-screen guide disabled the audio inputs to the box. Now I cannot use it for my DVD player. So I need either a preamp with dual audio inputs (RCA) for both devices and audio out (RCA) to amp, or preamp with optical audio in to connect TV and audio out (RCA) to amp.
Or, I could just get an AV Receiver or the like, but then I'd have to ditch my current amp, which I like, and lose money on it. Plus I don't really have room for one of those big honkin' AV boxes anyway. Plus, I want a decent sound as I play CDs on my DVD player (for non-critical listening, but still, would like decent quality).