B&K with bryston?

Is it possible for a Denon or B&K reciever to sound better than the setup listed below, even if the amp is a 2B-LP? I seriously do not know...I am a newbie at this. I figured that the 2B would be a good place to start...If I don't like how that amp sounds with the mains (this is probably temporary, unless I really like the sound), I could transfer this amp to the rears. I certainly am not experienced enough to tell a major difference in the surrounds, unless it's an astounding difference.

So in addition to the above scenario/question, does anyone possibly have a suggestion for a pre/pro and amp combo to accompany my speakers....JM Labs Cobalt 816s? Thier sensativity and max power handling seem to limit my options, but that's good 'cause my budget is smallish anyway.

Thanks for the input Unsound. Any other comments are welcome and appreciated.

Z

Ah the budget. Well, for everyone trying to do this on a 'budget', God help them, and me.

I would like to grab an amp for $800 or less for the mains, however, considering I don't need 250 watts per channel, I think I should be able to spend a little less than that. For center and surrounds (I will employ a 5.1 setup), maybe another $800 to $1000 for a 3 channel later this year, early next year.

I do however, need a pre/pro and or a reciever. I figure I would like to go one way or the other here...using a reciever AS a pre/pro and adding amps seems like a waste or resource, at least to me. My budget for this caps at about $1200 to $1500. The B&K Ref30 seems like a bit of a stretch at $1500, but I did see one that sold already for $1595...just have to make it to my wife at that price. 8^)

Hell, I don't know. I guess I'm lost in the 'newbie' fray. Componants sounds like a good idea for upgrades and even sound/dollar, but the ease of a reciever sounds good also. However, the B&K 305/307 goes for $2000 used, if a fella is really lucky...probably closer to $2500. For that much, I can certainly pick up the Ref30 and even a Bryston 5B-ST. ???

Thanks so much for your imput and guidance.

Z

Good advice fellas, but I am still have a couple questions...

I want to stress to you that I pretty new to this. I have been doing a bit of reading, and a bit of listening, but still know very little.
I also want to let you know that I am not after perfection...it seems to me very hard to approach this trying to achieve perfection, especially with my narrow budget. Furthermore, I want music to sound a bit better than movie tracks, however I do wish to include Dolby Digital/DTS which is why I am looking at pre/pros. This is a music first system though, so should I just get a simple, elegant preamp and add a seperate processor later? Seems to me this will cost more in the long run, and I am trying to hit the sweet spot. I think the Ref30 suits my needs pretty good from what I have heard and read, but I am a newbie. I heard the JM Lab Electra mains pushed from a Ref20 and a B&K amp while in the shop, and they sounded great. I don't doubt they could have sounded better with a mega-expensive setup, but to me it was wonderful.

My musical taste is: a bit of jazz, a bit of rock, but mostly acoustic music, singer/songwriter and bluegrass. I also like some dynamic music...have you heard Mark Knopfler's "Sailing to Philidelphia"? That has a wide range of sounds to it, and I enjoy such music, so dynamics and imaging are important to me also.

When I listened to my JM Labs, they were pushed from a reciever, and I thought they sounded good. I figured a pre/pro with enough decent clean power (isn't most reciever power a bit overrated and (for lack of a better term dirty?)) would sound better just on principle...am I wrong about that? I just don't have the ability to test every piece of equipment I am considering, so I am reading a bunch.

On my speakers spec sheet, it says that the recommended power is 25-100w, with a max of 125w. If I push 150w through them, won't I damage them? Also from what I have read, they are 8ohm speakers with dips down to about 3.3ohms. Plus, I have a powered sub, so complete bottom end from these speakers is not a necessity, nor is powering said sub.

Sorry for being long-winded, but I am just about ready to purchase, and I sure would like to make a purchase without questioning myself.

Thanks again,
Z