In need of some Amplifier advice. Is therereally any point in it with my current setup?


Hello. I have posted in the past, but have since learned a little bit more from reading audio forums, and doing some research and have come to somewhat of a juncture. 

I figure I could "stair step" up on my own and enjoy the ride, or, ask those who have most likely been where i am before and skip a few steps =). 

My current setup consists of a Yamaha adventage-A3070 AV receiver (150wattsx8ohms 2chd), and 2 Polk LSIM707 towers. 

I've been looking at used Classe amps here on audiogon, or possibly a new parasound Halo A21 power aplifier,  and have thought about purchasing them. 

My question is, would my Yamaha advantage 3070 even be a sufficient pre-amp? It has pre-outs for all channels, and it also has an ess sabre DAC for my digital flac files. Or would using the Yamaha as a pre completely destroy the sound of the power amplifier? Essentially wasting $1,000-$3,000. 

My other question is pretty obvious. Should I trade up, just spend the $1,000-$3,000 on better set of speakers I've been eye balling like  the EMT-LFT8s, and stick with the Yamaha receiver's power for now. 

If it were you. What would you do? 


moskaudio
Take it one step at a time.  Get the Classe, Parasound or another higher end amp and use the Yamaha for it's preamp (realizing that's most likely the weak link) and see how you like it with your speakers.  I would then look to a higher end preamp, possibly tube preamp.  (I know very little about 7.1 surround since I'm a 2 channel person).  Once you change preamps, then see how much you like your current Polk tower speakers.  If the rest of your speakers are all Polk in your surround sound, then the LFT8's might not match your other speakers, so make one change at a time and give yourself time to get used to the change you made.
But yes, the Polk's mid range is fairly weak. When playing piano tracks and solo acoustic guitar tracks, it's quite apparent that they are lacking. 
@audiothesis, Oh don't worry. I acquired 2 new polk LSIM707s, 2 new polk 703s, a polk lsi706c, AND a new Yamaha adventage 3070a receiver for $2,800 on a deal earlier this year from Adorama. 

I know they definitely aren't worth their MSRP and wouldn't pay anything close to it. 

I use the 703s in my office with a rotel receiver. the 706c is still sitting in its box new, I will probably sell it as I don't have an interest in 5.1 or 7.1 audio. 

And yes, My living room is roughly 20'x18'. I've got plenty of space for positioning. 
If you can drive to Dallas, TX. , there is a Vandersteen dealer.
As 2psyop posted, try and audition as many speakers as you can. Once you find a 'sound' that sings to you, then you can start making decisions on the rest of the equipment.
Yamaha, if I recall, is a fairly neutral sounding amp. So, with 150 wpc, I think you have enough power for most speakers on the market.
B