where should i go from here?

the pre amp is the weak link

Denon's are nice. It's not a high end 2 channel pre though. Also, it's very easy to overdrive the amp section if you are running 5 speakers at a decent volume. Using external amps should help. Even by just driving your R&L speakers with an external amp should help the center and rears to sound better.

thanks seasoned, jaybo, elevick,
my source is mainly directv receiver( is there any difference in sound for 2 channel if it is basic or deluxe with tivo?) or a samsung dvd vcr combo. crossover on denon is at 80, the crossover on the sub is at 50, so i have the denon set at full speaker with the sub at 50 crossover.so the veritas are better than the cj?

so cut out the denon and get an integrated amp? what kind? and how many watts?

is the nad 1600 monitor series preamp tuner a cleaner pre so i would just need an amp?
thanks again bryon

can't help thinking there are 2 ways to go with the energys. i'd try a cj tube pre with the 2100 and see if the cj magic comes through. otherwise a nice/relatively powerful ss integrated like plinius, krell, bryston, creek, etc should make the energys really sing.

Your weak link is the source. Your music is compressed greatly and will never "sing". Get a cd player first. I have dir tv and 2 very nice systems, tube & theater. Dir tv, dish net, and xm all sound flat even with high priced gear.