Painter,
Does the Denon have an analog or 2-ch direct feature? And do you have any friends or a cooperative dealer from whom to get some other/better gear to try? I'd be curious about 3 options:
1. a better CDP analog into the receiver's analog bypass
2. an outboard 2-ch amp
3. an outboard small integrated (in addition to, not in lieu of, your receiver)
If you are saying you could spend an additional $400-600, I think any of these will offer an improvement, but it'd be nice to try before you buy to see which offers the best return to your ears.
Does the Denon have an analog or 2-ch direct feature? And do you have any friends or a cooperative dealer from whom to get some other/better gear to try? I'd be curious about 3 options:
1. a better CDP analog into the receiver's analog bypass
2. an outboard 2-ch amp
3. an outboard small integrated (in addition to, not in lieu of, your receiver)
If you are saying you could spend an additional $400-600, I think any of these will offer an improvement, but it'd be nice to try before you buy to see which offers the best return to your ears.