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 toddsims

I suggest replacing your speakers first. Your choice of speaker will (arguably) make the biggest difference in sound. You can then later upgrade to a suitable amp to drive them, since your choice of amp will be dictated in part by what your speakers need. If you can only upgrade one at a time, I think one can get better sound out of great speakers with mediocre electronics than great electronics behind mediocre speakers.