what amp under a grand?

what would the bel canto i300 cost new or used? i can get a used marantz pm 8004 for 350. but i do think in my situation an integrated amp with ht bypass is the way to go.my system is for family as well, used for movies and gaming.if it was just for me an avr would not be in the picture!

Thanks Jug. Well they can be had for $900 to $1000 used. But for $350 and the family I can see the wisdom of where you are going. Sound quality is not everything here. Go for it then with the M.

well 900 would be fine, but where can you find them?

They do show up on the Gon monthly, but none right now.

Yes Granny, I agree with you that there is more to it than just getting loud. There is current and damming factors to be considered in order to really take control of a speaker and make it sing vs. than just getting it up there in volume. The 8004 has both and is not afraid to list them. IMO, the 8004 will do a great job in most listening rooms with his VA's. Again, my Bachs are identical in impedance and sensitivity and I drive them with a PM15S2 that is 90 wpc @ 8; 140 wpc @ 4 in a 13' x 17' room. Really not that much more in power. And this replaced a 185 wpc @ 4 Parasound power amp. And the Marantz makes my VA's sound better - I couldn't be happier. But that's my personal situation. I always respect an argument for a little more power Granny. That's never a bad thing either!

If you're more comfortable with higher power Jug, I can appreciate that. I wasn't trying to recommend an amp as much as was trying to point out that your muddiness problem most likely comes from using an AVR as a stereo pre-amp. As I mentioned in one of my other posts, you can even keep the Adcom and consider a stereo pre-amp with HT Bypass as an option. Whatever way you go, best of luck to you brother!