what amp under a grand?

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!

oh i agree with you paraneer, i dont think its the amp.the adcom 555 mk2 hits 330 watts @4ohms,and i think if i could run it with a good pre amp the mozarts would have more life to them.330 watts is way more juice then i know what to do with!what pre amps have ht bypass? because i would like to keep the adcom in the mix, to much power is better than not having enough.