Pioneer Elite vsx-14 enough for hdi-3800? Alternatives?

Look you can drive these speakers with Just about anything, you could go with a lower powered tube amp (50-75w) or you could go with a really powerful 300 watt per channel solid state beast, its about how much you want them to punch and kick! Of course this will require quality electronics with very clean power delivery into a 4ohm load. Most receivers fall short of providing the clean power output at higher volumes that these speakers are meant for. Buy a integrated amp with good power and excellent SQ!

Matt M

That VSX has to be 20ish years old? So the short answer is yes you'd gain an improvement going with a new surround receiver (i.e. Anthem, Marantz etc). Look for one that has room correction, stable to 4ohm and has good clean power. 

If this is not a part of a surround sound system the I'm with Matt's recommendation of going after a nice integrated amp. Like this one that is barely used (it's mine they're selling for me)

https://tmraudio.com/components/integrated-amplifiers/pathos-logos-mkii-stereo-tube-hybrid-integrated-amplifier-hidac-upgrade/

Thanks for the responses!

@mattmiller 

Integrated amp with good power and excellent SQ!

I am doing my best research to understand what exactly would indicate an amp I am looking at has good power an excellent SQ. Any recommendations on reading?

@sunshdw 

If this is not a part of a surround sound system the I'm with Matt's recommendation of going after a nice integrated amp. Like this one that is barely used (it's mine they're selling for me)

It will be almost exclusively for stereo music, with future potential for a sub if I really feel like I'm missing low end. An integrated amp sounds like a logical next step, though my budget is not close to those you are selling, maybe in a couple years .

My budget would probably max out under $1.5k with a preference under $1k. Do you have any recommendations that would be worthwhile in that range?

I'm interested in the NAD 3050 and the Cambridge Audio CXA81. Anything more suited in this ballpark?

Is there an example of a bare minimum integrated amp at $500-$600 that would do better than what I am working with?
 

room correction, stable to 4ohm and has good clean power.

Thanks for these criteria. I also have learning to do to understand how I can know if an amp has good clean power. Any recommended readings here?

I have Sonorworks reference, so I may be able to get by without built in room correction for most listening.