You said for the money. It may be that an external amp may add that little bit extra (depending on who you ask), but for what may be not even a 10% increase in sound, is nearly a 500% increase in cost?
Even if you go with a lesser amp than Axiom's, you still have to weigh what you're getting vs. what you're spending. The amps in Denon's receivers are very capable. For everyone who adds an external amp, there are 1000s who don't.
I have my own reasons for perusing external amplification, but its more a philosophy of moving to a separate pre-amp/processor plus amps. I like the flexibility it provides. I have no delusions of magical improvements, and I understand how much more it'll cost than doing it any other way. But it's just what I want. You can come to your conclusions. Listen to what others have to say in the realm of external amps. vs inbuilt.
