2. home-theater
  3. 1037308268

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 4 responses by mdomnick

mdomnick
332 posts
 
Scott,

I'd go with your second thought...put the money into an amp, and use your denon as a pre amp. If you are that skewed towards 2-channel, I'd spend all your budget on a 2 channel amp, and let the denon push the rest of the speakers for HT (the mains take up a lot of juice, so a dedicated 2 channel amp will relieve some of the stress on the denon). For $1200, you can buy a nice used amp, McCormick DNA, Anthem Amp2, and I'm sure a whole host of others. this will also keep your upgrade path completely open for when you decide exactly where you want to go.
mdomnick
332 posts
 
You may need to adjust the speaker volume within the menu system of the denon (if the denon has that feature). It would be where the denon generates white noise and you tune the volume. The external amp may have more power than the denon, and therefore, yes the mains may overpower the CC, however that is true if speakers aren't place correctly, hence the speaker adjustment feature. The volume control on the denon controls everything in that scenario. I warn you though, you'll get bit by the seperates bug...this is how I got into HT and consequentially spereates.
mdomnick
332 posts
 
DK, don't know what your budget is, but check out Anthem's AVM new pre pro, Proceed Pre/Pro v.2 or Tag's Pre/Pro. I went the reverse order, and have just 2 channel and now looking for HT stuff. May go with a reciever to save $$; especially since I'm much more into 2 channel. Do you think seperates would be a huge improvment over a Denon receiver pushing center and rears only?
mdomnick
332 posts
 
Thanks Dan...I got the pre with HT pass-thru, and am debating between a receiver for HT or stay with complete seperates. I am very much into 2 channel, so a receiver I'm sure would keep me happy for HT, yet thinking about DVDA and SACD, 2 formats that do not impress me, but have potential, would sound better with seperates. At this point I am weighing my options.
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