New to seperates...need suggestions

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.

Plan is to eventually upgrade both to a primary music system that also does ht. It is however a step at a time process for me. I also felt that speakers would be the best first step and tried a set of B&W 805 Nautilus biwired in my system. The differences between them and my polk's was slight to say the least and to be honest the times my wife and I said "wow, now theres the difference we're looking for" it was our current polk bookshelfs that we were listening to. Know that the b&w is a well respected speaker and felt that there had to be a reason for this. A discussion with my dealer had him suggestion that the denon just wasn't enough amp to get the best out of the b&w. He felt that an amp added to the system might be the biggest addition at this time. Maybe the b&w just aren't able to give what I want but if an amp upgrade will help with the b&w then it should do the same for my polk's. Then when I get the next speakers I will hopefully have what I need to get the most from them. Am I headed in the wrong direction here? Would really llike to get this right the first time.All suggestions and thoughts are much appreciated.
Thanks
Steve

Scoly, I have to disagree with a previous post that recommended you upgrade your speakers first. You've already tried that and got your answer, I think. If you have anything to spend, spend it on a better amp and preamp. Buy used if you have to, to get better sound. I have Acurus 125 x 5 and Act 3 for home theater (upgraded from a Pioneer Elite receiver) and am dazzled by the improvement on CDs just playing in two-channel. The differences you are looking for--liveliness, detail, air--are there on music even though my speakers remain small Boston Acoustic monitors (VRM-60's). The Acurus is cheaper than a lot of stuff, but not dirt cheap, even used. Sell your Denon for as much as you can, and use the proceeds, plus anything else you can scrape together, for a good amp and preamp combo. You can change your speakers later, they really should be the LAST to go, in my experience and opinion.
Sarah

Scoly, there are lots of people who love the B&W's, but I had the same experience that you did. They just didn't do it for me. Maggies on the other hand, well I just can't be objective about them because I love them so much. The nicest thing about the MMGs is the in-home trial period.

However, I think that given your current amplification, you won't get the maximum out of the Maggies either. The above advice to ugrade via used separates is good advice, just remember that there is no such thing as too much power when it comes to driving Maggies. You'll be floored at how good they sound matched up with quality electronics and adequate power.

Sorry to follow on, but the dealer's advice that an amp would make a bigger difference than choice of speaker ... well I hope that you were wearing hip waders. That has never been my personal experience, nor have I heard anyone make that claim, at least with a straight face. Maybe someone here will make a liar out of me.