Yes Granny, I agree with you that there is more to it than just getting loud. There is current and damming factors to be considered in order to really take control of a speaker and make it sing vs. than just getting it up there in volume. The 8004 has both and is not afraid to list them. IMO, the 8004 will do a great job in most listening rooms with his VA's. Again, my Bachs are identical in impedance and sensitivity and I drive them with a PM15S2 that is 90 wpc @ 8; 140 wpc @ 4 in a 13' x 17' room. Really not that much more in power. And this replaced a 185 wpc @ 4 Parasound power amp. And the Marantz makes my VA's sound better - I couldn't be happier. But that's my personal situation. I always respect an argument for a little more power Granny. That's never a bad thing either!
If you're more comfortable with higher power Jug, I can appreciate that. I wasn't trying to recommend an amp as much as was trying to point out that your muddiness problem most likely comes from using an AVR as a stereo pre-amp. As I mentioned in one of my other posts, you can even keep the Adcom and consider a stereo pre-amp with HT Bypass as an option. Whatever way you go, best of luck to you brother!
If you're more comfortable with higher power Jug, I can appreciate that. I wasn't trying to recommend an amp as much as was trying to point out that your muddiness problem most likely comes from using an AVR as a stereo pre-amp. As I mentioned in one of my other posts, you can even keep the Adcom and consider a stereo pre-amp with HT Bypass as an option. Whatever way you go, best of luck to you brother!