Vandersteen 3A and DENON 5803; COMPATIBLE?

Not sure why you'd even consider that combo. 3A deserves better

The 170w 5803 will be able to handle them, no problem. I occasionally ran my older 125w Denon 1025 with my van 3aSigs and it was a good sounding system with a surprising amount of bass. The higher quality home theater receivers do sound pretty good, especially if the speaker is a little more gentle natured. The 5803 likely has a stout power supply designed to source all seven channels. If you are running only two channels this power supply should be able to drive the speakers with more authority.

If you ever want to put an amplifier on them the McCormack (disclaimer I have one for sale) amplifiers are a classic combination. Those really bring out the bass and are a match made in heaven. You can pick those up used for $600-900. See if it is possible for the 5803 to act as a preamp for the two main output channels while acting as a preamp and amp for the remaining surround channels. That might be a nice upgrade path as would an adcom 750 preamp which has a home theater bypass input (your denon would be the volume control for this input).

I second the motion. Not sure why you would even consider running the 3a sigs with a receiver. Unless you plan to upgrade at some point.

The McCormack will be like night and day compared to the Denon. Of all the recivers out there I think Denon is the most warm sounding. The McCormack ( from my personal experience ) will " jump out there and get you " Not so with Denon.

If you do decide to hook up a amp to your Denon, try CJ. But now I geuss we are of the orirginal subject...... You didn't ask about hooking a amp to your Denon, did you?