I'm thinking something below $500. Someone on audigon is selling his avr-525 for $425. I'm considering that, but I've been reading alot of people on these boards are pretty happy with Denon equipment. I also saw a Denon 2803 which seems like a comparable receiver for $499.

I did some critical listening this afternoon for a while, and i'm starting to think that my description of not "clean" was not the right word choice. I'm becoming more and more convinced that my sub simple can't keep up with the speakers at high volumes.

I have to be honest, the idea of buying a new receiver to replace my current one leaves me wondering if I will really gain anything. Unfortunately no one on my campus (that i know of) has a good amp that i could borrow to see for myself. On the other hand, it would be nice to have a receiver with some pre-outs.

-- my setup -- Axiom: m80ti(2), vp150, vp100, qs4(2), hsu vtf-2 Harman Kardon: avr-630, dvd22