starting a 5.1 or 7.1 surround

Glenn,

I took a quick peek at the Denon AVR-2113CI. I'm not familiar with the unit. It doesn't appear to have "Pre outs" so you would not be able to reuse your Adcom amp with this receiver. Some receivers have "pre out" jacks that allow you to use an external amplifier on some of the speakers. Check out www.accessories4less.com for great deals on Denon systems. I'm really a fan of supporting local dealers, but you can get refurbished gear with full warranty at 30%-50% off. If your price point is around $600 you should be able to get a great deal on a receiver there. I'd also suggest checking your local audiophile and home theater dealers and see if they have any demo gear if you don't want to pay new or retail. I've never heard the ADCOM amp, but my hunch would be that it would perform better than the amplifier section of a receiver in this price range (but that's pure conjecture).

I'm with you re: Hockey. Any game is a great game. I wish they'd end the silly strike. Since you're a fan from the 60's, I met Gordy Howe some years ago and pulled out some signed pics of his. I haven't played in years and years. I get a chance to skate a handful of times each winter; but playing in a league just hasn't been in my schedule unfortunately. I miss skating and playing on a regular basis.

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The Infinity Kappas are keepers. Hang on to them. They are beautiful too!
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Of all the equipment you listed, the 2 channel Adcom power amp and speakers can definitely be used in a 5.1 or 7.1 config.

Since we don't know budget, lets start the cheapest way - get a 7.1 or 7.2 channel AVR with a full set of PRE-OUTS. You can use the AVR's internal amps for your center & surround speakers. Subwoofer(s) are already powered. Run a pair of RCA interconnects from the pre-out L/R main jacks on the AVR to the RCA inputs on the Adcom. Hook up your Infinity Kappas to the Adcom and the rest of the speakers to the AVR. Run the AVR's room correction program and all 6 or 8 (sub included) will be equalized for your listening room. This config will leave the AVR to only have to power the center & surrounds, a task that most AVR's are up to. The Adcom still does the heavy lifting for the L/R mains. I really don't see how the Adcom pre-amp can be used in a modern HT configuration. You will get a tuner in the AVR.

Finally, if you don't like the performance of the AVR's amps, you can add a 3 or 5 channel amp (depending if you want 5.1, 7.1 or even 7.2) to the unused PRE-OUTs and still use the Adcom. Thats why you should get an AVR with full set of PRE-OUTS right away so your prepared in case you want to pursue this final scenario. Good luck!

I'm in a similar situation, Old 2-channel stuff, integrating with new. I have a new receiver as the control center that will run surrounds, and an old Yamaha MX2 amp (similar to the Adcom, but the Adcom's probably better) powering Infinity Kappa 7's (earlier versions of your 7.1's). Works great!