AV Receiver Underpowered?

I did something similar with my Denon *BUT*, I also had to upgrade to a Denon that had pre-out (don't buy an amp and be disappointed you can actually hook it up). I had to go up to a 3313 to get pre-out (nothing lower had pre-out) and bought an Emotiva amp. I had my earlier Denon hooked up with bi-amp, which does push some more power to the speakers (at least for stereo). Switching to Emotiva xpa-5 to power the surround system made a HUGE difference (no longer bi-amped though).

Hi Kriskdf - I spent some time reviewing the manual and searching. I confirmed the EXT IN. ports are not pre-outs on my AVR 1908. I need to replace it.

All -

I don't mind doing separate pre and amp. But am stupid about a comparison between it and an av receiver. Or an amplifier of other order. I would like to spend around $1k.. which is yes budget minded.

any drawbacks with this setup
UMC-200 600.00
UPA-700 80X7 500.00

an XP-5 is another 500.00 and less two channels. It has more watts, but I am quite clueless on the numbers. I am not sure if the 80watts would be sufficient for my application or not.

I like the idea of the separate amplifier as the standards have changed fairly quick in the last five years.

Thanks for everyone's comments. Ultimately I am looking to move into my new house and would like to finally setup my system with the speakers mounted on the walls, rather than sitting on end tables. Was hoping to move the electronics to the basement. I have little money left over for this project.

My post from before was wrong. I did a search for some images of your amp so I could look at the connections on the back. I didn't realize it but the pic I found was of a different Denon.

What are your speaker level settings. Have you calibrated your system using an spl meter? All of my
Speaker settings are around -4 range to hit 75 on the meter

ESPECIALLY run full range, you're not getting the control and damping through passive speakers, run full range, using ANY av receiver, really! The ONLY way to get adequate results, power-wise, from a receiver running your loudspeakers, is to run them as crossed over with bass management, at approximately 80hz - like THX suggests. Placement becomes very important, so as the crossover freq is well coupled in the room, and from the listenin positions, and for the subwoofer blending.
You really need a dedicated outboard amplifier with much better current delivery to driver typical home audio loudspeakers properly, otherwise as full range signal feed.
The exception would be super high efficiency horn loud speakers (and, even then, crossing over to powered subs for the demanding bass is even MORE potent!), or loudspeakers that have active subs built in, to remove the demanding bass load bellow 200-300hz range.
To many people take their tyipal 87-88 db passive full range loudspeakers, and run them full range from their AV receiver. Results?: bass is week and mushy, dynamics are soft and pathetic, and the drivers will clip with demanding dynamic material, particularly at higher volume levels with Digital movies and heavy percussive music source material..bottom line!
Av receviers offer compromised power delivery, due to all the parts of the receiver that must be driven from the powersupply. Switch most any high quality $1000+ dedicated power amplifier up to the pre-out's of your AV receiver, and watch the soundquality improve throughout, almost every time! The amp sections in your typical Chinese built AV receivers are typically one of the bigger compromised portions of the receiver, and also the signal to noise and cross talk (gotten much much better over the years, though) from digital and preamp interference with the amp sections, basically).
I know there are many out there who would read some AV magazine review, about how some hot new receiver is as good as sparates, and the best thing since sliced bread - a must buy! ...WELL BUYER BEWARE! Cause there's some incentivizing going on with that same glowing review you've just read. I assure you.
Don't get me wrong, I like AV receivers for the tremendous value and incredible amount of resolution, processing power, video switching, and pretty descent overall performance for what you can pay for some of these things (particularly on the used market). The problem is that it's VERY VERY system and setup dependent for super results from these things. Separates amplifiers help GREATLY, and equally so do's good loudspeaker selectivity, bass management, and loudspeaker placement within the room and setup.
Fail in any of these regards, or don't know what you're really doing, and you'll end up with mediocre sound and performance...guaranteed.