I agree with the other posters, a pre-amp with HT bypass is the way to go. The amps in your AVR-3300 are plenty good enough for center and surround speakers. They are not as critical as the mains. I went through the same process as you fairly recently. Almost two years ago I decided to simplify things and bought a Denon AVR-5800 to base my system around. It's great for movies, but it didn't take long before I wanted better two channel performance. Now I have a Rowland Synergy IIi pre-amp (with HT bypass), a Rowland Model 10 power amp for the mains, and only use the AVR-5800 for home theater, using its internal amps for the surrounds (I don't have a center). This system sounds great in two-channel AND HT modes. If I had to do it again I wouldn't have spent as much on the receiver. Some may disagree with me, but I think its silly to spend megabucks on surround channel speakers and amplification. The information in those channels is mainly sound effects which doesn't require the ultimate in quality to be effective.
stuck in a quandry -what's best solely on quality?
Ok - here's my situation. I have the bug. I have budget constraints. Currently running Denon AVR-3300, with an Odyssey Stratos covering the front right and left amp duties. Looking now to purchase a second power amp to handle the center and surrounds, allowing me to ditch the receiver (which has treated me very well, and kicks butt for theater, just not 2 channel). Once the second amp is in, I can buy a new processor that handles a center rear channel or 2. Current budget is $1000. The question is should I....
1. buy a 3 channel, such as a Chiro C-300, which is currently available, and save some cash for the processor and get it sooner? (140 x 3 @ 8ohms)
2. buy a 6 channel such as the Parasound HCA-806, that I can run in 5 channel mode - bridge 2 channels for the center and have 4 more channels for current rears with 2 dormant channels until processor and rear speakers come, also saving some cash for processor? (180 x 1 bridged @ 8ohms and 80 x 4 @ 8ohms)
3. or spend the $$$ and buy a Citation 7.1, which I can bridge for center and unbridge down the line for a single rear center? (150 x 4 @ 8ohms or 1 x 450 and 2 x 150 @ 8ohms)
suggestions with reasoning behind them would be VERY welcome.
1. buy a 3 channel, such as a Chiro C-300, which is currently available, and save some cash for the processor and get it sooner? (140 x 3 @ 8ohms)
2. buy a 6 channel such as the Parasound HCA-806, that I can run in 5 channel mode - bridge 2 channels for the center and have 4 more channels for current rears with 2 dormant channels until processor and rear speakers come, also saving some cash for processor? (180 x 1 bridged @ 8ohms and 80 x 4 @ 8ohms)
3. or spend the $$$ and buy a Citation 7.1, which I can bridge for center and unbridge down the line for a single rear center? (150 x 4 @ 8ohms or 1 x 450 and 2 x 150 @ 8ohms)
suggestions with reasoning behind them would be VERY welcome.