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New to seperates...need suggestions

Current equiptment: Denon avr 2800, integra dvd, polk bookshelf, velodyne sub. Trying to integrate ht with music and want to upgrade to a power amp. Am currently looking at Citation 7.1, monarchy audio se 100, belles 150a, Mccormack dna .5 with revision a upgrade, and ati 1502. Large price difference from Citaion @950.00, monarchy @825 new and 699 minor blem with 30 day warranty, no price on Mccormack yet(expect >$1000), to the ati @530. Ht sounds fine but music is flat with muddied detail. Want to have a sense of feel and airyness that is lacking. At lower volume all dynamics are lost. No seperation or soundstage. Will eventually upgrade speakers but for now would like to get all I can from current speakers and have what I need to drive future upgrades. Thinking about Maggie mmg and Saphire III le. Any thought on these amps concerning what I am hoping to achieve? Have read the reviews but no way to demo locally so am hoping to get insight from more experienced.
Thanks
Steve
scoly
argent
245 posts
 
Look up Acurus by Mondial Designs. Good power and dynamics for the money. Also, what do you plan to use for a processor?
jcbtubes
400 posts
 
Steve- You're on the right track. However, it is difficult to get truly involving audio out of a combined A/V system. Not impossible, but difficult. You'll probably find that you'll need to upgrade a few pieces before you're happy (amp, pre/proc, speakers, cables, etc...). I'd recommend that you consider the amp/speaker combination in your decision. An inefficient speaker with a lower powered solidstate amp will not meet your needs for an a/v system. Everyone will have recommendations, and regrettably, from what you detailed, you won't have the chance to audition. My preferences are tubes for audio, particularly if you listen at lower levels but still want dynamics. However, good quality solid state equipment will likely be such an improvement for you that it may be all you need to be happy. Also, when it comes to amps, not all "watts" are created equal. Quality power is always preferrable to high power! Good luck and enjoy the journey.
scoly OP
15 posts
 
Will be using the denon as a pre for the immediate future with plan to go to all seperates eventually. Have considered the acurus line and read reviews but very little info on the sound of these amps compared to the ones I mention. Presently the system seems to blur a bit, limited soundstage (just between the speakers and no front to back), and looses all dynamics at lower volume. Would like to be able to play at lower volume and still have feel and dynamics like being in a club with a live band that isnt trying to blow you out.
thanks for the suggestion and any more info will be appreciated.
Steve
miami_a1a
15 posts
 
I had the same problem with my Denon AVR 3300. Great for HT
and fell short on music. I tried using the denon as a preamp
and pushed it through 2 Mcintosh amps and the Denon for center speaker. It was a little better but not right. I ended up putting the Denon back in use for HT and setting up a seperate system for music. I went with tubes for this system. I found a good deal on a new Anthem Amp 1 by Sonic Frontiers, a used audible illusions mobulus preamp, and a new pair of MMG Maggies. It suits me for now and I love it, but down the road when ther's more money------. Good luck.
toddsims
12 posts
 
I suggest replacing your speakers first. Your choice of speaker will (arguably) make the biggest difference in sound. You can then later upgrade to a suitable amp to drive them, since your choice of amp will be dictated in part by what your speakers need. If you can only upgrade one at a time, I think one can get better sound out of great speakers with mediocre electronics than great electronics behind mediocre speakers.
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