Kenwood receiver with preouts

[krabby5]

I have Kenwood VR-6070 that is about 2 years old...I have just purchased a used pair of RT800i's and a SVS 25-31 PCi sub...I also have a cs 400i center and (cough) Bose surrounds..

Since so many people have ripped my receiver (not as much as the Bose, though :D ), I am wondering what I could be missing with a better receiver. The receiver does have preouts...should I try adding an amp or 2 to power the fronts and center? or try a good HK instead...then maybe separates later?

If the amp route, what should I try? think bang for the buck!

[aaharvel]

i'd go for amps. If you like your receiver that's all that matters. It should make for a decent pre.

Amps: Try Rotel, Outlaw, Adcom, NAD

[audiobliss]

All the receiver would do, if you add amps, is act as a pre. Once you get to a point that will make a big difference. I might not make so much of a difference now. So, I would say go with some external amplification for at least your mains, possible all the front speakers (L-C-R).

Here are some manufacturers to start looking at:

Outlaw Audio Products Page (http://outlawaudio.com/products/index.html)

Rotel HT Multi-Channel Amplifiers (http://rotel.com/products/multichannel-power-amplifiers.htm)

Adcom Multi-Channel Amplifiers (http://www.adcom.com/amplifiers/multichannelamplifiers.htm)

B&K Products (http://www.bkcomp.com/products.asp)

NAD Home Theater Products (http://www.nadelectronics.com/ht_amplifiers/index.htm)

Audiosource Amplifiers (http://www.audiosource.net/amplifiers.html)

AMC Amplifiers (http://www.amchome.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AO&Category_Code=Amplifiers)

Sunfire Amplifiers (http://www.sunfire.com/amp.htm)

Parasound (http://www.parasound.com/index2.html)

[Ferres]

..and replace the powercord with something rated for audiophiles if possible.

[krabby5]

I'm guessing if I spent $600-800 on a HK receiver to replace my Kenwood, I wouldn't notice a big difference in sound quality...

But if I took that same cash and bought amps to power the front and center speakers (thus keeping the Kenwood and using its pre-outs), I WOULD notice a difference...

am I correct ?

[audiobliss]

You are very correct.

[Dennis Gardner]

It doesn't always work out the way you think. Check out Mick's recent thread on adding Adcoms to a great set of LSi15s. He was dissapointed at the lack of improvement over his Pioneer receiver.

The 800s aren't as hard to drive as the LSi line. I would upgrade your surrounds, then go for amps, but thats just me.

Adcom and LSi15 upgrade whoas (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37292)

[krabby5]

which surrounds would match the rt800i and cs400i besides the fx300i/fx500i?

are there any newer models?