Hi

I am looking for an AV pre-amp solution without the amplifiers. I use active speakers and so just need RCA out.

Anyone have any ideas, would like video handling if possible, and small form factor?

5.1 would be ok, does not need to be latest and greatest, ebay would be ok.

Plenty of these exist, but every one I'm aware of is aimed at the higher end to audiophile end of the market, and based on the way you've asked your question I'm guessing (maybe wrongly, but anyway) that you're not looking to spend thousands to tens of thousands of dollars for a pre-amp.

Your best bet for an affordable solution is to look for an AV amp that has pre-outs (i.e. line level signal outputs for feeding external amplifiers or powered speakers). These are pretty common on Denon, Onkyo, mid- to high- end Sonys, etc.

Bob

Thanks, I wrongly assumed that the removal of the amplifiers would lower the price

It seems the opposite happens, it hugely inflates the price!!

I will have to start working on the misses about getting a BIG box and another remote

Thanks

Try poking around over on Audiogon.com It's an auction/classified site for consumer audio gear, usually better stuff. There's bound to be pre-amps and surround procs there at a reasonable price.

I'd make a recommendation but it's been ages since I've played with consumer gear. Ayre, Classe, Krell, Linn, B&K used to be good brands the last time I played with their equipment.

If you're sure you want a dedicated pre-pro, I would check out Emotiva... great products on the lower-end of Audiophile. Their MMC-1 model was a great entry-level processor and a superb value at $699. That, however, was in the world pre-HDMI and pre-next gen audio codecs (Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD-Master). Might be the best performing piece you might consider affordable, though there's no HDMI support. There's one used on Audiogon for $495 right now.

If you're looking for modern codec support along with HDMI video switching (i.e. you're looking to do BluRay) then I would recommend a receiver with the features you're looking for and 5.1 pre-outs. You're going to have to go up towards the lower-middle of most brand's lineups... for example, the Onkyo SR706 is their lowest level unit with pre-outs for all channels. Marantz is one of the few companies that includes pre-outs on their lower-end units, but not their most entry level. You still have to go 1 or 2 steps up to get this feature.

You can find some great deals on refurbished units, especially Marantz and Onkyo, from accessories4less.com, an extremely reputable authorized reseller of refurbished units from these two brands. Looks like a refurbished SR40001 would do what you need and keep you fairly modern with basic HDMI switching (passes video, but doesn't transcode analog signals to HDMI) with audio... all for $249.

Brilliant, thanks!!

Will look for EU model over here, or similar!