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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
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
scottwebb OP
3 posts
 
What's the downside of using my Denon 3802 as a Pre/Pro, and spending the $1200 budget on amplification (2 or 5 channel)? Down the road, I may want to upgrade the Denon, but I just purchased it, and don't really want to remove it from the setup entirely. I think it's fine for movies. I'm primarily looking for better sound for 2 channel music. Thanks.
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.
scottwebb OP
3 posts
 
How does the volume control on the Denon work when there are two different amps in the system? Let's say I get a separate 225 wpc 2 channel amp for my fronts, and the dennon drives the rest of the system - will the front speakers be louder than the rest at the same volume level, using the denon as a pre?
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