Best next step to upgrade sound?

I would think a dedicated CDP would be an improvement over your DVD player which has to do double duty. I own the Marantz SR 4500 which is a very fine receiver BUT it is still a reciever if you know what I mean. Adding a power amp would probably improve the sound but your are still going through the rec's pre-amp section. I'd add the CDP first and see how things sound. The right interconnect will make a hugh difference. I'd find a solid-core design which would mate well w/ the Marantz. Tara Labs Prism 33i/55 are both exc. AQ PSC copper IC's are good as well. Good Luck, Bill

Your pre-amp section is still being used w/an external amp. I've only used analog rca's so I cannot comment from experience. My passion is 2-ch stereo and I've never had a rec. sound as good as seperates or an int. amp/tuner. I listen to quite a bit of FM radio and the tuner section in most rec's is just so-so. The Marantz has a surprising good FM section BUT if you connect a good seperate tuner the difference is obvious. Your/my rec. is a compromise and geared towards HT. I'd first get a good CDP. It will make a difference and you'll need one anyway. See how things sound to you. If you want to upgrade upgrade further, get an external 2/3/5-ch. amp.(Which one? I'd ask dedicated HT members this question.) Your final question if I understand correctly is can you connet both rec's and external amp to your bi-wire spk. binding posts? No. Just the extenal amp would get connected to your spks. You would not use the Marantz's binding posts. Good Luck. Bill

Re-read your post and my response. Yes, you could bi-amp your spks. using your rec's amp section and the external amp. I'm assuming you are thinking of a 2 ch. amp and using it on the low freq. of the front spks. amd the Marantz on the high freq.? I'd make sure the ext. amp has gain adjustment controls. Hope things work out for the better. Bill