Po,

Thanks for the first hand account on the Denon. I parted ways with Denon several years ago but had owned them for many years. I found that their amp channels were a little weak which may be the reason for your sound improvements with the external amps, but their sound was always clean. Did you demo any other receivers when you decided on the Denons?

Cheers,

T Cobe

wesg92,

Regarding different amplifier power, I feel that doing a proper system calibration is going to level the field so to speak. If your front 3 channels are running at 200 wpc and the rest are running at 75, when you calibrate your system, you are going to end up attenuating your 200 wpc amplified channels down to match the 75 wpc channels. It seems to me that would offset the benefit of having the more powerful amp. Yes, those 75 watts may sound better than the receivers 75 watts but that brings me back to my recommendation to get a high quality AV receiver with good, clean, and honestly rated power.

I guess there are different ways to get the job done but I'd recommend the best receiver or processor you can afford and look into separate amplification later. If you spend less on the receiver just to buy external amps, you're probably not getting as good a receiver. If the signal going into the amp is bad, the sound coming out is going to be bad... Certainly adding amps with some minor differences later may not be a big deal but then you're working on a good foundation. Make sense?

Cheers,

T Cobe

T Cobe,

Thanks for all the advice. From my research, Anthem 710 is without a doubt a better sounding receiver than the Denon x4100. However, it is double the price, and it doesn't support 2 subs. I can't double my budget AND lose the ability for 2 subs. However, I do plan to go to a local shop to listen to these both.

I feel like I've bought some amazing speakers, and I think the Denon x4100 will make them sound great in my room. From my research, I think room treatments (bass traps, absorb/diffuse panels, etc.) will have the next most significant improvement, and cost about the same as the better receiver.

Those are my thoughts for now. Leaning toward Denon x4100 for the 125watts and Audyssey XT32 and SubEQ for my 2 PB2000 SVS subs. I'll put money into properly treating the room, and I think it will be awesome.

Thoughts?

wesg92 wrote: T Cobe,

Thanks for all the advice. From my research, Anthem 710 is without a doubt a better sounding receiver than the Denon x4100. However, it is double the price, and it doesn't support 2 subs. I can't double my budget AND lose the ability for 2 subs. However, I do plan to go to a local shop to listen to these both.

I feel like I've bought some amazing speakers, and I think the Denon x4100 will make them sound great in my room. From my research, I think room treatments (bass traps, absorb/diffuse panels, etc.) will have the next most significant improvement, and cost about the same as the better receiver.

Those are my thoughts for now. Leaning toward Denon x4100 for the 125watts and Audyssey XT32 and SubEQ for my 2 PB2000 SVS subs. I'll put money into properly treating the room, and I think it will be awesome.

Thoughts?

Wesg92,

I think you are spot on! It will sound great either way. The differences will be minor. Listening for yourself to a few brands and options is the best idea. Trust your own ear!

Regarding the dual subs, you could use an RCA splitter to get two subs connected to the one LFE out on whatever receiver you choose. Please let us know how the audition goes and what you choose.

Cheers,

T Cobe

Hey Guys,
There seems to be a LOT of back and forth on this subject in at least two or three threads, I can't keep up.
I have never heard any of these new receivers, so I am just speculating from memory of other receivers I have heard, and from the reputation of the brands.
I agree, PLEASE try to listen to several different ones and let your own ears decide. I would not buy one of these receivers on specs alone.
In the end, IF you do what I think you will do (and this is ONLY a guess from the fact that you guys obviously have good ears and good taste, you bought or are buying GREAT speakers aren't you????? So I THINK in the future you will put outboard amps with these receivers and then the sound quality coming to the amps will be from the pre-processor part of the receiver. That is the part that needs to be GOOD. IMHO it is less about the amps in there right now, it is the front end sending the signals to the amps.
IF that part is GOOD, then you can always get and connect separate amps later when your budget permits.
I only mentioned Marantz because when I last auditioned them against Denon and Onkyo, there was a much better sound quality from the Marantz "to my ears" but maybe not to yours. (I heard the same company makes both Denon and Marantz, go figure!)
Your speakers deserve the best sound quality fed to them that you can afford to send.
I did look up Denon 4100 and Marantz 7009 and WOW, sorry, I did not know there was that BIG a price difference!!!!
So, end of the day, get what sounds best to your ears and fits your budget the best. (this is champagne taste, beer pocketbook man talking here!!)
Hope this helps,
God Bless,
Wayne

T Cobe wrote: Po,

Thanks for the first hand account on the Denon. I parted ways with Denon several years ago but had owned them for many years. I found that their amp channels were a little weak which may be the reason for your sound improvements with the external amps, but their sound was always clean. Did you demo any other receivers when you decided on the Denons?

Cheers,

T Cobe

Yes, I listened to Marantz and Pioneer within similar price range, and liked the features together with the price of the Denon. I think any decisions has a lot of factors involved. I must say, my 2nd Denon, I had to go through returning two of them before one that "fully" worked, unfortunately that is the way with electronics and luck!

Overall I am happy with the purchases. I will say real world power, despite the RMS values will be different, but the good thing is GET speakers are really efficient, making them easier to drive. For my Tritons, I did add Emotiva XPA-1L, and I feel they are an improvement. So rule of thumb, adding $$$ does improve the quality, but I am sure there is a limit for diminishing returns. I have my cap, and I am sure do too!

My idea with purchasing today, allows me choices, and I wanted to maximize my benefit for the front three channels. Upgrading is a costly exercise I do wish to repeat, lessons learnt in other areas of life.

So make your choice and be happy, if you are not, in today's market return your products for something else. Everything journey begins with your first step.

Thanks
Po