Any good deal on NAD C320BEE & C352 better then 20% off new?

[m500]

If your not happy with the Yamaha use it as a pre amp and buy a used or new amp to drive the left and right channel to improve music and leave the receiver to handle surrounds and center channel.

Many people do this with outstanding results.

anamorphic96, My main concern is how my Yahama process and filter the musics that is not giving my speaker's a chance to show its full potential. By using it as a Pre-Amp with separate amplifier to power my Speakers doesn't it still perform the music filter & processing. If this is the case, will it still benefit for me beside more power. My biggiest problem right now, its the my Yahama is processing the sound in 7.1 in the back ground, at least this is the explanation I come up with. Therefore there are part of the sounds are missing from the 2 mains and that's why its sounded awful for certain notes.

[SlumpBuster]

The Yamaha is a fine receiver with very nice two channel capability. You are right that sometimes, especially with the YPAO, there is some processing going on when you are just trying to listen to two channel, even when you hit the "Direct Stereo" mode. However, the 650 does have a "Pure Direct" function, it is different then the "Direct Stereo." If you hit that button the internal processing will be defeated, the only function that will still be in the preamp loop is the volume control. Processing, DACS, EQ, even the subwoofer output are all defeated. You will be getting a straight signal running from the input, through the volume control, through the amplifier, and out the speaker posts. The receiver will essentially be acting as a no frills integrated amp would. Mind you this funtion only works with analog inputs because the DACs are bypassed.

Turn on the "Pure Direct" function. If your speakers still sound bad, then changing to the NAD may not make the difference your hoping for. It is important to note though that turning on the "Pure Direct" after having listened to music in a processed mode can be underwhelming. The processed modes often include an increased gain that will make the music louder and EQ curves that make the bass stronger and fuller. Going directly from say "7 Channel Stereo" to "Pure Direct" will result in a substantial drop in perceived volume. That can make the "7 Channel Stereo" sound better. So begin a listening session in "Pure Direct" so that your not comparing it to artificially enhanced sound.

Frankly, if you still don't like the sound of your speakers in the pure direct mode, your never going to like the sound of your speakers even with the NAD. The Yamaha in "Pure Direct" is comparable to the NAD. As to why it sounded better in the show room, I don't know. I would suggest the usual suspects: room placement, acoustic treatments, or my favorite shady salesman trick, leaving that $3000 velodyne sub turned on.

[anamorphic96]

Slump Buster is right. Use the PURE DIRECT Function.