Dear Mr. D. Since you asked �otherwise I would not mess in your business, I feel strongly there is a �different� best sound for each of our custom equipped auditory canals, we HAVE to individually choose. . If the Denon is still under return date, I would consider moving to possibly the 950/7100 combo at 1700 (?) I feel (not having heard the 7100, - I have the 770). That the Outlaw combo with the 100watt separate amp will outperform many receivers with built-in power rated at higher watts. If this is even feasibly in budget. I looked up your speakers if I�m in the correct model range they appear to be 87 senst which could benefit from the additional power a sep amp could provide. 8ohms. Upper mids a little forward, and upper base lower mids a little lean, suggested placement close to walls particularly without the addition of a sub to help beef up the bass. They are metal cone/domed. If you demoed a 950, one tweak with this particular set of speakers you might play with the treble trim pulled back one or two notches. If no children are in residence, these models are supposed to benefit greatly by removing speaker grill.

If budget, time, spouse is willing, I would demo the 950/7100 combo begging your wife�s' patience for another round of settling in for a couple of weeks. Its a lot of pulling hair but the end result can be so rewarding. Or better yet, with that sens on those speakers, - the 770, or start with the 5-channel 755. Then prioritize saving for speakers next, (if you decide any others are desirable) and take your time demoning possibilities there (and read all you can) for the next year. You may find the speakers when matched with the correct receiver or pre combo, are just what you want to hear. I have a feeling the 950, is going to make your silvers sound much better than the Denon is capable of delivering. I notice in a couple of reviews the lower mids are listed lean on these speakers and similarly the lower mids on the 3300, thereby placing the mix of (these two) weak points in the same frequency range, (one is not helping the other) It (could be) these two (speakers/AVR) together may not be your most optimum blend. However that�s just my �feeling/assumption� nothing applies till you demo for yourself and your wife�s ears.

You�re a lucky dog, you know how when you surf you get lost through convoluted links, or you type the �keyword� a hair differently and get different hits. I found the article in question on the denon. Now the Pioneer issue was not as I remember it, the �problem� my brain teased me with is only that you need a pioneer with this AVR to get 96kHz performance out of it, just check your settings to see that your in the two modes which can provide 96kHz, when this apples.
� Provided you have a Pioneer DVD player, the AVR-3300 can accept PCM sample rates of up to 96kHz and word lengths of 24-bit, but only in the Direct and 5CH Stereo modes and by bypassing all bass management. It's also easy to drop back to the analogue inputs for a particular source�.

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/testbenc...nAVR-3300.shtml

JMAMS! be sure and ply your wife with SH's most excelent margeritas, before sitting down to talk it over!


[This message has been edited by Smart Little Lena (edited March 04, 2003).]