Optimized Center Channel

@toro3 and @ghdprentice, thanks for the responses.  The Apple TV-X (see link: https://appletvx.com/) is a whole other device based on the Apple TV.  I learned about it from the WhatsBestForum, and based on the feedback, invested in it.  A key point the designed stresses is NOT to update it without his approval, as he tests them first and alerts the community.  Some updates can cause serious issues, so its best to be aware.  Yes I have played with Enhanced Dialog, and Marantz has that feature as well.  I also use the Audyssey program embedded in the Marantz to balance the room, and it does a good job of that.  There is ability to increase volume from the center channel, and I do that as well.

From AI: To improve dialogue clarity in a home theater, focus on speaker placement, audio settings, and room acoustics. -- I've tried some of that, but it's worth diving deeper.

As to my hearing, it is age-appropriate, with a case of tinnitus served on the side that is distracting but does not impact how well I hear.  I've read enough articles indicating dialog issues in movies or series are fairly common.  As my recent experience pointed to the benefits of a high quality amplifier improving HT sound from the L/R speakers, and my center speaker, interconnects and speaker cable are all very good, I wondered if some dedicated (e.g., obsessive) HT person had taken another step and added a high end amplifier for the center. 

Or, perhaps as in many other areas, this is life today.  I'll keep trying and am glad to learn from and share the experiences of others.  Thanks,

Robert

@soix, the picture I have in my profile does not do justice to the setup.  The center speaker is pointed up (hard to tell, but it is) and when I'm seated, it aims at my shoulders.  Those are obviously not my ears, but if I recline or sit on the floor, the improvement isn't there.  Placing it on the top shelf is a no-go, as unfortunately it is tall and would block the lower part of the TV. My listening position is about a foot off of center (my room limits that), but the center speaker is almost exactly in front of me.  When I run Audyssey, I create a very tight listening position, and the software does a good job of correcting for me being a bit off center. 

Focal's next level center speaker, the Sopra, has a midrange driver, and might be better for home theatre, but it is even bigger (taller) than mine, and would not fit in my shelving.  I considered it for a minute or two, but I'd take yet another beating doing an upgrade.  Ugh.

@toro3 , the ATVX is amazing in many ways.  It is an ATV on steroids at a premium price.  I thought myself nuts for getting it, and was unhappy early on.  It took a while to come into its own (4 weeks) and I've come to accept it as a welcome enhancement rather than transformative.  Night and day better?  No; more like afternoon to evening, but better.  Worth the price of admission?  That answer is subjective and in the eyes and ears of the beholder.  There are many users that say yes.  My response is, "Yes, I suppose so."

I've had Marantz products for over 10 years, and am fairly familiar with Audyssey.  Yes, Dynamic EQ is enabled, Cinema EQ is not.  I played considerably with offset, have it set at zero now, as I found that sounded best.  For a pittance I downloaded Secrets of Audyssey, which I find to be a good resource.

@drkenl , only with this iteration of the Marantz has Dirac become available. I had it on an Arcam AVR that I owned for a short while and found it cumbersome.  It has improved since, so I await their Black Friday sale to save 25% on the purchase, as the cost of the software has increased considerably.  It also requires an omnidirectional microphone, and that price has increased 50% thanks to tariffs. Ugh.  As to the digital signal, I have fiber converters from ethernet on my router to my Network Acoustics Tempus switch, with an NA Eno2 filter between it and the ATVX.  I invested in that switch to get more bang for my network buck, and I felt the system sound improved in both home theatre and audio when it was added.  Could my network setup be better?  No doubt, but here I am.

When I looked at upgrading this last time, I considered the McIntosh M170 and M180, which include desirable Lyngdorf aspects, but even buying used, the price stopped me in my tracks.  The new Marantz is no slouch and will have to do for now.

@gkelly , I was similarly shocked when I put my front speakers on Isoacoustics feet; I could not believe the improvement.  A separate stand just won't cut it in my space, and my AV rack is from years gone by.  Convincing my wife that we need a new one to better place the equipment she already despises is a hard sell on a good day.  Now if she were to go away for a few days and I got a suitable replacement in the same color, maybe she wouldn't notice...

@soix , it's not as if my system is Bad.  I'm simply trying to go from very good to very, VERY good. It has been stated elsewhere and, as @elliottbnewcombjr pointed out, it may simply be a matter of less than ideal recordings resulting in muddy dialog.  My hope was that someone using an audiophile amplifier for their center channel can weight in as to whether that makes a difference.  It certainly did for my L/R channels.

Yeah, the center speaker works properly, as the dialog coming from it is pretty clean.  Crystal clear so I understand every word?  No, but that could be a matter of chasing unicorns.  I'll play with the phantom center to compare the effect, which seems a matter of removing the center speaker from the setup.