Warm, Smooth yet Transparent Amp

Charles, your explanation is probably the closest to what I have always believed a good system should be. I'm 60 now and have always believed that the ultimate goal for an audio system is to reproduce the music as if you were sitting in the room when it was being recorded. So to now find out that most audio nuts are really trying to distort that realism, as John says, is deflating. LOL I'll live. I understand both of your explanations but Charles's is closer to what I'm looking for. I also realize it's not an easy feat, thus this thread. So far I have found that exaggerated upper midrange/treble sound which John speaks of. I'm looking for what Charles describes. Marqmike hits on it as well. No exaggerated treble, no bloated bass, but all natural like the full sound of a good acoustic guitar when all strings are strummed at once. Forte heh? Belles? I've read many good things about Belles and Forte has been around for a long time has it not Charles? I think we're heading in the right direction guys.

As for my room, it's very open. My listening area is what I believe use to be the dining room, it sits between an open living room to my left and my master bedroom and sunroom to my right. All very open. Carpet on the floor couch, loveseat to my left. I sit in a recliner in the area that is about 22' x 15' with the sides very open. I'm sitting about 15' from my system, 52" LCD TV high up on far wall. I hope this all helps. I will be using the arcam for a preamp, or did you already figure that out? lol

Any additional suggestions are still welcomed. And I thank all of you who have already written a reply. It's all good!
If this made no sense, it's only because it was a long day and I'm bushed! lol I almost forgot, I also have a REL T3 sub that is part of the system.
Bruce

Warm, Smooth yet Transparent Amp

Hello All,
I am currently running an Arcam AVR300 for movies and music, 60/40 respectively. The music portion just isn't happening. Everything works but I'm not getting that "involved/pull you in" kind of feeling. I have gone through several pairs of speakers, Proac tablette 50, Triangle Titus 202, Von Schweikert VR1s and currently Vandersteen 1C. Since this is a wide array of speakers, I've come to the conclusion it must be the amplification.

12-09-13: Denon53
I will be using the arcam for a preamp, or did you already figure that out? lol

Bruce, I hate to say it, but I don't think you will find music to be "happening", or to "pull you in" as you say in your original post, as long as you are using the Arcam AVR300. You say you've tried different speakers with no luck, I don't think that trying different amps while still using an Audio/Video receiver as a preamp will help either.

Over a decade ago I tried to marry my audio and video systems with many high end Surround Sound Processors (SSP) from the likes of Mark Levinson, Classe and Krell. I never found any of them to be musically satisfying. I finally gave up on that quest, and now use a dedicated two channel system for music that is very satisfying.

Denon53,
I appreciate your comments and I understand what you're seeking.
Given your stated budget and solid state preference I'm sure there are
experienced people on this site who can provide good guidance. I've
migrated so completely (and happily) into the world of SET-High efficiency
speakers that I'd be of very limited use for your particular needs.
I agree with John's opinion on the Arcam as a preamp. You need
components that were developed with the priority of reproducing quality
two channel music. I've read good things about Belles and Forte
components. Would you entertain the possibly of a Quicksilver or
Bottlehead(modest priced but very good tube products) preamp with you
SS amps?
Charles,

Odyssey Audio builds some great amps in your price range.

You might want to try the LSA Integrated - either the Signature or Statement model. There're several available here on audiogon.