Magnolia Store on a 2k Budget???

[royphil345]

Royphil-I think your comments on the 201's are dead on. The sound is not terrible and is good for HT but when I am listening to music I am "aware" that I am listening to music through speakers if that makes any sense.

Exactly the impression I got...

I believe the Pioneer has preamp outputs for all channels. You could also think about using it as a preamp / home theater processor and adding a separate, beefier amplifier for the main 2 channels... or all channels. Maybe someday replacing it with a higher-end home theater preamp / processor, using separate amplification all around, or stepping up to a receiver that may have a better sounding preamp section. Some of the speakers you're looking at would be better powered with a separate amp than the internal amp in just about ANY HT receiver.

I'm using a Harman Kardon receiver with a Carver A-760X amp powering the main 2 channels myself. Sounds great and the Carver will power just about any speaker in existence to it's full capacity without clipping. Also takes a little strain off of the receiver's power supply, improving sound from the center and rear channels.