TFkaudio & others, STEREO mode is quite excellent but DIRECT mode sure isn't. Your hunch was correct. I really don't regret the Elite purchase at all, it is a 10 fold improvement over the relic I had before(got it here on Audiogon,too - brand new/50% off suggested retail)but I do feel a pull towards intoxicating 2-channel music, I can't deny it. It probably would be crazy to go in that direction now but I suspect the day will come!
Request for insight/opinion
System as it stands
Monitor Audio Gold Reference speakers:
a pr 20's
a pr 10's
center channel
no sub yet
very utilitarian DVD player-Pioneer 563A
a Pioneer Elite 45VSX-45TX 7.1 THX 100W per channel receiver
Movies and concert DVD's present with incredibly good sound and punch, these experiences leave me wanting for nothing. Music via CD's, tuner, phono can be very good but rarely are my socks knocked off, honestly. In your opinion, am I asking too much of this ($900-new) receiver? Should I seriously consider separates? If so,does anybody have an opinion on a decent $3000-ish match with the Gold Ref's? Or would getting a better quality CD player be a better direction to go in? Thanks in advance. Jen.
Monitor Audio Gold Reference speakers:
a pr 20's
a pr 10's
center channel
no sub yet
very utilitarian DVD player-Pioneer 563A
a Pioneer Elite 45VSX-45TX 7.1 THX 100W per channel receiver
Movies and concert DVD's present with incredibly good sound and punch, these experiences leave me wanting for nothing. Music via CD's, tuner, phono can be very good but rarely are my socks knocked off, honestly. In your opinion, am I asking too much of this ($900-new) receiver? Should I seriously consider separates? If so,does anybody have an opinion on a decent $3000-ish match with the Gold Ref's? Or would getting a better quality CD player be a better direction to go in? Thanks in advance. Jen.