Chopin, I really wonder if a new amp is going to much at all for you.
I enjoy having an outboard amp for the HT... but the seated distances are pretty significant, multi-row, approaching reference levels now and then.
I'll tell you what though: I was not nearly as close to such volumes
before the treatments. And that's with rugs on top carpets, thick curtains covering quite a bit.
The distortive sounds I would get were actually from the room. I find that with the more treatments I add, the louder I can crank it, because that threshold of awful AQ isn't reached until at significantly higher volume. I am guessing an average of 6 clicks louder on the volume knob, +/- 1.
It must be said that treatments simply do deaden the room to some extent. But its pretty obvious to me that its the taming of the acoustics that let me comfortably bring it to higher volumes.
With the above experiences/opinions in mind... I repeat that I do wonder how much an outboard amp will do for you. And because I question such need, I most definitely vote new speakers if you are less than 90% happy with them.
Otherwise, a projector!!!
forgive the pj rec, its just my M.O. as of late
p.s. I wanted to add, with ggunnel's post in mind, that I did have all the thick curtains, rugs on top of carpet, etc. The difference with acoustic panels is that they are
broadband. Nevertheless, his ideas are good ones. Broadband helping a lot of the midrange to midbass area ...
