Old NAD or newer high powered Denon?


I am currently running a NAD 3020 in my main system. I love the amp. When paired with my Sequerra MET7's it sounds great. I also have a pair of Vandersteen 1C's and I am thinking that the NAD's don't have enough power to drive them. I am getting relatively poor sound quality out of the 1C's with the NAD. It closed in and not very dynamic (when compared to the MET7's). I have heard the 1B's in the past and they sounded amazing which is why I initially purchased them.

So my question is: would I gain anything in terms of sound quality of I purchase a higher powered more recent model Denon or am I just hearing the differences between the MET7 and the 1C's?
hifibear

Showing 6 responses by hifibear

Hi Celtic66.
Thanks so much for the response.
I listen mostly to streamed digital.
Pandora and iTunes and ripped cd's on a media server.
I listen to all types of music but my favorites are
jazz. My favorites are Nora Jones and Linda Ronstadt.

My budget is as low as I can go to get good sound.
Ideally I'd like to get an integrated amp or a receiver.
I don't mind buying used or older equipment.
I will be using the Vandys with a subwoofer.
I know that the NAD is a warm sounding amp and together with the 1C (which I think is warm sounding as well), I am getting a boxy sound that I am right now disappointed with.

What if I use the NAD as a preamp and just get a power amp?
Thanks for all of your comments.
@Tmsorosk - What do you think I need to drive the 1c's properly?
It's clear that I don't have the equipment do drive them properly now. Do I need to put in another $1000 or so?
@Ths364 - so how did the sound change when you changed amps?
I am toying with the idea of using the preamp of the NAD and just getting a quality 100 WPC amp of some type.
Thx all! I would love to have a tubed amp but I am thinking it's not practical for me. I have small kids and I can imagine missing tubes.

Any recommendations on a solid state amp?

Regarding budget: $500 max
Thanks all. You have all been a great help. I'm gonna look for a garage sale st70. Wish me luck.