$1000 Dolby receiver OR $500 Dolby receiver AND $500 integrated amp?

[twochordcool]

What is the best way to go if music means as much to me as movies?

 

[MDS]

My opinion would be $500 receiver and amp. Receivers get better every year while their cost goes down. You can replace the receiver every couple of years to get new formats and features, but the amp can still be used (assuming you get one with the right number of channels).

 

[markw]

You don't want an integrted amp. You want a power amp

...trust me on this...

 

[MDS]

Good catch mark. I totally missed the 'integrated' part. My opinion still stands, however.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

try these

...trust me on this...

Right, you don't need a receiver and integrated amp. The receiver will act as your processor. Get something like a Yamaha 1500 or 5890 coupled with a dedicated 2 channel amp. You can even go $600 receiver/$400 amp (look for used amps on ebay - they don't wear out; just buy from a reputable seller).

Something like these (they may skyrocket in price, but are under $400 now)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Classe-Audio-DR-15-Amplifier-Rare-175-WPC_W0QQitemZ5795670980QQcategoryZ39783QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROTEL-RT-1080-SILVER-2-CHANNEL-AMPLIFIER_W0QQitemZ5793647435QQcategoryZ39783QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-TFM-35-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Power-Amplifier-Amp-TFM35-NR_W0QQitemZ5795984190QQcategoryZ71544QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem