Sidvicious, could you describe the difference when you upgraded to the amp and started to use the Yamaha as a pre/pro (or point me to an old post on the subject if you have one)? I'm in a similar situation with a 4-yr-old Yamaha receiver (RV-1105, similar to RXV-795) -- wondering whether to get a new 1400/2400 or H/K 430/525, or if it would make more sense to start by getting an external HT amp and using the existing Yamaha as a pre/pro for what, realistically, would be another year or two before I can make the next purchase of that magnitude. I have to get QS8s and a new center first, and pretty soon a new CD or combo player, so there will be limited funds for the receiver/amp setup, when I can get to it. I'm leaning toward a new receiver instead of the separates route, b/c I want to be able to play DPLII or H/K Logic for surround music, as Alan and others have described. If money were no object I'd go the separates route. Open to persuasion either way ....
Birdman