Noob: Pre/processor recomendations

[Preacher]

I am in the planning stages of a good HT system. I need to get a good preamp/processor or receiver with pre-outs.

My plan is to set up the lcr with a behringer dcx2496 and outboard amps.

At this point I need to be budget conscious; new or used. The Behringer is the splurge for now. Once I get the preamp and the behringer I've got something where I can get started on the patient upgrades, but this will give me the control I need to make my other things work.

[littlesaint]

I use a Yamaha v661 as a pre/pro with a 7.1 amp. It's a receiver, but with its features and price (<$500) it makes a great pre/pro as well. It has HDMI 1.2 with full processing, so it's feature proof for the foreseeable future.