Just curious, what pre-amp are you using now for your stereo listening? CX-1?
Currently don't have a set-up right now. I used to have an old pioneer amplifier, and I mean way old, and it just broke sometime ago. Just recently got that Yamaha MX-1 so I decided to build from scratch.
Thanks for all the advice guys, I can't quote all your post but really appreciate it.
Looks like I'll be going with the AVR option and not the LOC option. Though one question that still confuses me is the difference of pre-out and zone2 because looking for AVRs that can handle an ext. power amp, the mid end range only has a Zone2 outs and only the top of the line models have the pre-out option.
Technically they are doing the same function right? passing the audio signal to the power amp?
Like the Yamaha RX-V673 has Zone2 and in the manual it can be used to power another amplifier with a 2.0 setup in another room.
EDIT: Pic from the Manual