what amp under a grand?

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.

well i went ahead and bid a marantz pm8004 its cheap enough to give a shot,if it works well ill get one with more power.anthem makes an integrated amp @300 watts into 4ohms.haveto save my change and collect cans to get that one.

lost bid on marantz but scored a parasound 2100 for 250. the only prob with the 2100 is the volume control on remote does not work.any ideas on a universal remote?

TAD Hibachi Monoblocks (see my system photos) if can be found are a fantastic bargain still these days, in particular as a SS amp option in cases where a tube amp might work best, but is not desired for whatever reason.