Improving stereo sound for Yamaha 2092 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Estoup]

I am currently running a Yamaha 2092 receiver to drive my home theater system. I am completely satisfied with the 2092 for home theater, don't miss the absence of DTS, and my room can't accommodate 6 or 7 channel speaker formats. I would like to improve the 2-channel stereo performance of my system and would like to ask the group for opinions on the best way to do this. I really had to grovel at home to build the system that I have, so I really need to try to minimize upgrade costs (would need to limit to around $1500). My speaker set-up includes:

Mains - Paradigm Reference Studio 60
Center - Paradigm Ref Studio CC
Rears - Paradigm Ref SA-25 inwalls
Sub - Paradigm PS-1000

Options that I have considered include:

1) trying to pick-up a used Krell KAV-300i integrated amp and using it for my 2-channel system, while using it to drive the mains for HT using the theater through-put. I am not sure how its amplification would mate with the 2092 or the Studio 60's however. Does anyone else make an integrated amp with a theater through-put like the Krell ? This seems to be the most attractive, cost effective option. Has anyone else done this ?

2) pickup a quality 2-channel amp for the mains, and using the Yamaha as a prepro & to drive the Center & surrounds. Would this improve 2-channel performance significantly.

3) integrate a 5-channel amp and use the 2092 as a prepro (again, would this significantly improve 2-channel performance).

4) Sell the 2092 (if I can) & start over (least desirable option). If I did this, I would prefer a mid-priced AV receiver that excels with 2-channel music, add an outboard 5 channel amp when I can, then ultimately pick-up a dedicated AV processor and move the receiver to the bedroom for music.

I would be interested in any and all thoughts on how to best improve my system performance.

Thanks in advance,

Mike.

 

[Shane Martin]

What about the Yamaha do you not like for 2 channel music? Is it bright? too bright? No soundstage?

Have you messed with speaker placement? This is a cheap way to maximize your 2 channel performance.

You could try buying an external amp and that might be the trick.

An External Dac would be a nice improvement too however I'd lean towards a new amp or replacing the yamaha first if speaker placement is optimized.

To me, Yamaha's are very bright sounding and replacing the the amp and using the Yamaha as a pre isn't your best solution. Then again You may prefer Yamaha's signature sound and thus an external amp is the way to go.

 

[Mike Estoup]

I can't really put my finger on what is missing. Sound is on the "bright" side but not overly so. I would like a more "fuller" sound and an enhanced soundstage.

Thoughts ?

 

[Chu Gai]

Consider the following link Mike where I posted something I ran across in the Usenet groups. It's longish, but it takes a look at aspects from the room point of view.
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=80423