2. home-theater
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Amplification for Denon 3802 for 2-ch listening

I'm just getting started in the home theatre / mid-fi arena, so please bear with my ignorance... that's why I'm researching here.

Current Setup:
I recently purchased a Denon AVR-3802 for home theatre use, based on a friend's recommendation. I got a good deal on it, and I like the processing features for HT. That purchase has started a snowball effect. I then decided to upgrade my speakers, and I took a quantum leap up to B&W CDM 7NT's for the fronts, the CDM CNT Center, and a used set of CDM 1SE's for the rear surrounds. I also have a REL Q150E sub coming next week (I know it's a little small for the 7NT's, but space was an issue with my wife, and it seemed pretty powerful when I auditioned it at a local shop). My source components aren't that great, and I will be upgrading those along the way. I have a cheap DVD player, and an older Sony ES CD player. I did buy decent quality interconnects and Canare star-quad bi-wire speaker cables for the whole system.

Question:
I'm relatively satisfied with the sound of the system for home theatre (although it does seem like I have to crank up the volume to about -15db on the receiver to get the full effect), but I don't think I'm doing my speakers justice for music listening with the Denon powering them. I'd guess my usage of the system is about 65% music, 35% movies. I'm looking for recommendations on an amp or amp / pre amp combo to improve the performance of my speakers for music (and home theatre, if possible). Does it make sense to use the denon as a preamp for music, or should I take it completely out of the loop and only use it for HT. If the latter, how do I do this, and what features in the preamp should I look for? I have a budget of $1200 for this (I'll buy used gear).

Thanks, and sorry for the long winded question.

Scott
scottwebb

Showing 2 responses by foreverhififc85

foreverhififc85
58 posts
 
At this price range, there really isn't any other to suggest for you, other than the Acurus act 3 pre/pro, and a used acrus 125 x 5 amp combo!!! YOu can get both for around $600 range used, for a total of $1200 used. Both are as clean, clear, detailed, dynamic, uncolored, refined sounding, and just plain musical as you're going to get for that money! You can find a preamp out there with better signal to noise ratio than the Act 3 at more money however. But, with your speakers being like 90db sensitivity, this shouldn't be a problem with that processor, and it should sound quiet, and dead neutral!
I've used many high end pre/pro's out there for double dubty for ht/music, and you'll be hard pressed to surpass the sonics of the ACt 3. The Thule at around $800 used is a great sounding piece too. Both of these units should be used DIGITAL-IN with your dvd/cd player, and letting the processor in them do the processing.
The next better chioce for HI END sound in a pre/pro is going to be the used Classe SSp25(superb) at $850=1200 used. This offers DIRECT ANALOG INPUTS, and has simply superb hi-end sonics and performance...very good infact!
I used to use the Acurus act 3 and 125 x 5 amp combo on some high end speakers, and it was fantastic with HT and music dubties! You'll need to go DIGITAL IN for best sound, but it's worth it for the money!...or any money!
At the money you're talking($1200), you could EASILY SELL EM off if you didn't like em. But I seriously doubt you would! The match with your B&W's can't be beaten for $1200 used for HT and music!
Good luck
foreverhififc85
58 posts
 
Yes Scottweb, you will get better sonics all around by adding another amp to your existing Denon receiver, for sure! I would recommend doing EQUAL POWER all around for best results, ESPECIALLY KEEPING EQUAL AMPLIFICATION(QUALITY) TO THE CENTER ALONG WITH L/R!! If you just get a 2 channel amp, that's good for 2 channel. But you'll get shorted on the 5 channel side using the amps in the receiver(which are weaker, trust me...). But, it will be better than the amps in the receiver all around for sure.
THE DOWN SIDE TO KEEPING YOUR RECEIVER FOR BOTH 2 CHANNEL AND 5 CHANNEL, is that RECEIVERS PREAMP SECTIONS ARE WEAKER DYNAMICALLY than a good separates processor, and they sound softer....NOT TO MENTION LESS REFINED AND MUSICAL! Stil though, if you want to stay with the REceiver, you'll do better immediately with the added amp! Still, I would say you can easily get something around $600-800 used in a very nice sounding 5 channel amp, from the Acurus 125x5, ATI 1505,Parasound HCA1205(?..maybe), and have very nice sound from your B&W's(which I've sold for years).
Just some suggestions and feedback.
But remember, for FUTURE REFERENCE AT LEAST, the receiver THROUGHOUT DOES NOT HAVE THE DYNAMICS, REFINEMENT, OR CLAIRITY AND SEPARATION of a good prepro! So, you can upgrade that for better sonics if you ever decide. Receivers are fun and attractive in cheaper systems. But if you want to go foreward, the receiver will be holding your sound back, in all areas ultimatlely! good luck....
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