Home theatre and Musical Experience

Away from the computer for a while (had to work) and come back to the most realistic answers I have gotten so far. Thanks a lot! May end up just building a seperate system using the same mains for music but the pass through feature sounds like it might work great. Enjoy HT but first priority is music.
Will get back on this.
Thanks
Steve

You've gotten some excellent advice, particularly with the analog preamp w/ HT pass through comment. If you're using nice speakers (which the N805's certainly are), you're not going to get anywhere near their full potential unless you give them adequate amplification, which the Denon AVR most certainly isn't. Buy a beefier amp to drive at least the L/R channels and feed it from the Denon as a first step, and you'll hear a nice difference. Replacing the Denon with a nice analog preamp or a high-end processor will make another big leap in sound. Don't short-change on the power - you won't regret having more than you "need".

Scoly,

I haven't experimented to the extent of the other respondants here, but here are my experiences.

My HT setup was assembled in mid-1998 and is comprised of Marantz AV550, ATI AT1505, Sony DSS, Pioneer DVL700 combo player, NHT SuperOnes and SuperZeros, and NHT SW3P sub. I tried using a Musical Fidelity CD player with this system, but wasn't even close to being satisfied. I even tried adding a Z-Man tube buffer stage after the CD player, and experimented with different affordable cables. The music was just plain lifeless.

In early 2000, I decided the only way I was going to be satisfied was to build a separate and dedicated music system. So far my music setup consists of a Sim Audio Moon I-5 integrated, Sonus Faber Concertinos, the same MF CD player [soon to be a transport only], with a Bel Canto DAC 1.1 on the way. I use the NHT sub for both systems.

From my example you can probably surmise that I didn't take the most affordable route. Even on my modest budget. The music bug bit me hard, and I ended up spending much more on cables for my current music system than I would have dreamed possible 3 years ago.

You might want to consider a nice pre-pro like a Citation, Classé or Proceed and a good multi-channel amp for example and use that for both music and HT. It sounds like SDcampbell has a really nice setup for both.

Good luck, and I hope you find something that works for you.

Good bang for the buck to drive the mains for music is a Bryston 3BST. Lots in great shape available used.

The advice here is incredible. Have a lot to think about now but will be back with more questions I'm sure.
Thanks
Steve