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New to seperates...need suggestions

Current equiptment: Denon avr 2800, integra dvd, polk bookshelf, velodyne sub. Trying to integrate ht with music and want to upgrade to a power amp. Am currently looking at Citation 7.1, monarchy audio se 100, belles 150a, Mccormack dna .5 with revision a upgrade, and ati 1502. Large price difference from Citaion @950.00, monarchy @825 new and 699 minor blem with 30 day warranty, no price on Mccormack yet(expect >$1000), to the ati @530. Ht sounds fine but music is flat with muddied detail. Want to have a sense of feel and airyness that is lacking. At lower volume all dynamics are lost. No seperation or soundstage. Will eventually upgrade speakers but for now would like to get all I can from current speakers and have what I need to drive future upgrades. Thinking about Maggie mmg and Saphire III le. Any thought on these amps concerning what I am hoping to achieve? Have read the reviews but no way to demo locally so am hoping to get insight from more experienced.
Thanks
Steve
scoly

Showing 1 response by sc53

sc53
722 posts
 
Scoly, I have to disagree with a previous post that recommended you upgrade your speakers first. You've already tried that and got your answer, I think. If you have anything to spend, spend it on a better amp and preamp. Buy used if you have to, to get better sound. I have Acurus 125 x 5 and Act 3 for home theater (upgraded from a Pioneer Elite receiver) and am dazzled by the improvement on CDs just playing in two-channel. The differences you are looking for--liveliness, detail, air--are there on music even though my speakers remain small Boston Acoustic monitors (VRM-60's). The Acurus is cheaper than a lot of stuff, but not dirt cheap, even used. Sell your Denon for as much as you can, and use the proceeds, plus anything else you can scrape together, for a good amp and preamp combo. You can change your speakers later, they really should be the LAST to go, in my experience and opinion.
Sarah
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