Getting into audio for around 3500$...problems...

Do you have a stock power cord on your amp?(CDP) If so, try one of Ernie's (Subaruguru) power cord's. Will make a tremendous improvement sonically and will set you back less than $50 (maybe even less depending on length). Uses excellent Belden 83802 12ga. wire and the IEC/AC Plug are surprising good and provide excellent electrical contact. You will have to assemble yourself or Ernie can assemble one for you. Excellent product/price and person to deal with. I would explore this option before I would do anything else. Bill

I think that the weak link is the CD player. I'd upgrade it first. Larger speakers would understandably improve bass extension, but they could not really improve what is coming from upstream. As well, a dedicated preamp will usually be superior to the volume controls included in some CD players. You are probably also experiencing for the first time the phenomenon of upgrades resulting in incrementally smaller improvements in the system as a whole (diminishing returns).

Boy, I noticed a huge difference between a Denon receiver and separates, and between low-end and high(er)-end separates, even without tweaking cables. I agree with the post above. System matching is indeed a likely issue, and I would focus on the lack of an active preamp. If you are working with a dealer, can you home demo a high-quality preamp? To cover all your bases, in combo with a CDP? I think you will hear something *way* better than what you are hearing now.

I doubt you will see much improvement with better speakers hooked to your receiver, in fact, it may well get worse as the speakers demand more current from your receiver than it can deliver, and as they reveal the flaws in the source and amp.

I went through a very similar journey myself years ago (without the benefit of this board!), and I now appreciate just how important proper amplification is. I believed the old saw about all your money should go into speakers, and hooked up nice speakers to my receiver. It did sound better, but the speakers didn't sound really good until I went to separates, and didn't really sing until I went to better quality amps.

Search on other threads here, and I think you will see that others have had the same experience -- good speakers make a big difference, but before you take the next step, ya gotta have the amps.

Have fun!

- Eric

p.s. Before you assume an integrated is the way to go, consider separates, particularly if your room is at all large. I auditioned a variety of $1500 (or so, list) integrateds, and none sounded as good as separates in the same range (very noticeable difference). If that is your budget stick with separates. At that level, integrateds sound like just a step above good receivers.

Some of the high-end integrateds (Plinius, others) are well-regarded here -- my guess is that you have to spend at least $2500 (list) or more on an integrated to get good sound. None of those were available to audition locally, and none has the power of separates in that range. Which might be fine in your room with your speakers.

Lots more to say on this, you can certainly search on "integrated vs. separates" and probably find a very passionate discussion!