Current Receiver denon 1906, Do I add an seperate amp, or upgrade to a 2807 or 4306?

[dhoffack]

My current setup is as follows:

fronts: KEF IQ5, 15-130 Watts, Sensitivity 89db, 8 ohms
center: KEF IQ6c, 15-150 Watts, Sensitivity 90db, 8 ohms
rear: MS 302, 15-85 Watts, Sensitivity 86db, 4-8 ohms
Sub: MS 309

I currently have a denon 1906 (silver 786), which is 85 watts per channel. In both my center an fronts, my highs are slightly distorted at medium-high volume levels, and there is some sibilance.

When I bought the speakers they were hooked up to a 3806, and they sounded great to my ears. I already had the 1906 (was a gift). So I think my problem is that 85 watts per channel isn't enough power for my fronts, and I don't want to damage my speaker, by underpowering them.

Question: Should I just add an external amp, to the 1906, such as the Emotiva Ultra-Lite LPA-1 Seven, or an Outlaw audio amp, 3 behringer A500, etc.?

Or should I upgrade my receiver to the new 2807 or 4306. I like the network capablities of the 4306. But I am just thinking, maybe I should add an external amp, and then add a new pre-amp later when networking, hdmi, is standard on mid level amps, in 2 years.

Any advice would be helpful.

I am willing to spend between 500-1500.

Dan

 

[AVRat]

You're on the right track, go for the amps now and get as much clean power as you can afford.

 

[Snarl]

If your 1906 handles your prossessing needs and has the required Pre-outs I agree with AVRat, get an external Amp first.

 

[dhoffack]

the 1906, handles my prossessing needs just fine, it has pre-outs for all 7 channels plus sub, but it doesn't have a 12 volt trigger. But it does have two AC plugs on the back, so I was going to use a 6 volt AC to DC converter as a 12 volt trigger for an amp.


On that note, what amps are recommended that would work well with my denon 1906:

I am looking at:
Emotiva Ultra-Lite LPA-1 699$ preorder

Adcom - GFA7607 referb. about 1050$

Model 7125 1000$

Any others I should be looking at?

Do any of those choices, have a slightly warmer sound to them? Does anyone know anything about the Emotiva Ultra-Lite?

The only reason I am not looking at the behringer A500, is that I would like to have a 12 volt trigger, so I don't have to shut off the amp all the time on my own, because I plan on the amp being house in a closet, instead of under my tv, with my receiver.

Thanks again,

Dan

 

[brendy]

Did you look at Outlaw? Excellent product at a good price.

 

[zildjian]

The "Model 7125 1000$" he referred to is Outlaw's $999 7-channel amp (7 x 125 wpc).

I agree w/ everyone here, get a new amp and keep your Denon as the prepro.

As far as power on/off switching for the amp, I use my Monster Power line conditioner for that. I trigger it via one of my Denon AVR-3806's switched outlets, and have my external amps plugged into the Monster's switched outlets. You can buy new Monster Power conditioners off eBay for $200 or less now; well worth it I feel for the $$$ we spend on everything else. I've spent that on a pair of interconnects (that was probably excessive though... but I'll always use them!).

 

[eirepaul]

You're on the right track, go for the amps now and get as much clean power as you can afford.

I strongly agree - additional amps will make a world of difference in every way. Try for 200W/ch minimum if you can. A power amp is best plugged into a separate outlet, not the back of the receiver. I just leave mine on all the time.