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Advice for audio upgrade.

I recently moved into a new house with a dedicated game room. The room is 20ft x 40ft with 8 foot ceilings. I set up my system, level matching everything, and it sounds good, but now I’m looking for that next level. 
 

My current setup is a 12 year old Denon AVR-x2000 running Kef IQ-90’s and two Emotiva 12s powered subwoofers. I use a Roku connected to a projector for occasional movie watching and a Nintendo switch. It’s mostly used for listening to music through Tidal and is where I’m looking to achieve better sound. I run it through a Wimm Amp Pro Plus. 
 

I don’t want to add any more speakers. The options I’m looking at are:

1. Keep the existing Denon AVR and add a separate amp such as the Marantz mm7025.

2. Swap my existing receiver for the Marantz stereo 70s.

My budget is around $1500, but may be willing go a little more. My receiver just seems like it lacks a bit of depth and what I would describe as in your face loud. I want to explore what people say when they describe warm and immersive. My music preference is along the lines of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clapton, Toto, the rat pack. 

Are either of those options a worthwhile upgrade? Any other suggestions? 

rv1890
incorrigable
203 posts
 
If your AVR has a digital coax out get the VTV GanFet amp. $1500.
signaforce's avatar
signaforce
555 posts
 

+1 @soix 

Your Denon AVR is 7.1 & fine for Dolby digital Home theater. Unless I missed something, you just have two KEF speakers + 2 subs… no rears… no center. 
If you don’t plan to expand to surround sound, buy a decent integrated amp & sell the Denon. 
If you have or plan to have surround sound, keep your AVR and buy an integrated amp or pre + amp to drive your fronts (AVR drives your rears) or use without your AVR for 2 channel music. Your integrated or separate pre should have home theater pass thru. I have that set up. Happy to explain further 

robeffy's avatar
robeffy
84 posts
 

I am no great shakes at this, but my 2 cents.

The Denon as a front end, source piece of gear, is going to limit your sound. As a HT setup, years ago I thought Denon was the best.  I haven't looked into HT in a long time.

I bought a Arcam integrated amp for my son, around 20 years ago.  35 or 55 wpc, with Paradigm monitors.  A Arcam CD player. He often streamed it off of his Mac book, with a cheap DAC.  It sounded fantastic..  way better than any HT system could ever sound.  

rv1890 OP
5 posts
 

Unfortunately I need something to run the projector for movies, otherwise I’d get rid of the Denon entirely.

I didn’t know of this HT bypass feature on integrated amps. I think that’s the ticket. That music fidelity someone mentioned is looking like a nice unit and it has HT bypass. Now I’m off to search what other units will fit my range. 

parkergetdean
1,098 posts
 

I didn’t know of this HT bypass feature on integrated amps

yes, I always forget about but that will do it. 

In my experience, Musical Fidelity is often underpriced, but a great value. One of the most robust amps ever made, punches above its price and nominal rating.

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