Okay.

Right now, I have an Yamaha RX-V557 reciever powering my entire setup.

Recently, I've been doing a lot of serious stereo listening, and recently I've been wondering if my M22's could sound better.

Right now, I want a little less simblance and more clarity at louder volumes. It seems when I go to a pumping volume, my M22's get a little muddy and things get sloppy. There just comes a point in my listening sessions where the high end has some sharp edges and simblance on "sss" sounds and the like. You know the story. Of course, it is somewhat recording-dependent...but all recordings share some of the same traits.

I have an SPDI/F Output to my Reciever from my computer. I'm running all lossless quality music.

My plan (if I get a stereo amp) is to hook up the Recording L/R output of the receiver to the M22's (I don't have dedicated preouts for each speaker), feed them the full range signal, and let my HSU STF-2 pick up on the low end that is sent to it.

Should I try that with a new amp...or does it sound like M3ti's are better suited for my ears?

Again...think college student budget. I'll consider stuff from $100-500, but I'll probably end up buying a used amp somewhere. Just want some recommendations.

Thanks guys! I look forward to hearing some good advice :-)

You can get some pretty nice used amps on audiogon within your budget. Are you driving the yammaha to clipping? If that's the case an amp would help. I beleive in slight sonic differences between some electronics, but if you're not clipping, the m3's will make a much bigger difference,good or bad depending on your point of view.
Should've got the preouts...

Time to build a 2ch rig

I do have a Zone 2 Output on my 557. I believe that should work just fine.

Hmm...Audiogon needs to have some M3's soon. Anywhere else worth looking?

Additional comments about amps?

I'm not at all trying to say I'm not...err...satisfied with my setup. It's just that I'm a little itchy to see how it sounds different. I've heard that the general consensus of Yamaha electronics/amps is that they *tend* to be slightly brighter than say, a Denon receiver.

But hey, I guess I'm just a confused college student. :-)

Dan, I assume that you're talking about your dorm room setup; if so, my thought is that both the speakers and receiver are fine for that size of a listening room. The comment about Yamahas would only constitute a consensus among the misinformed or uninformed. What you're hearing is likely entirely due to the recordings and their characteristics becoming more bothersome at very high volumes.

Yea...I sit two to three feet away from my speakers, I doubt its the amp maxing out.

It's just that it seems to be a common thread in much of the material. Some albums have recording faults that stick out like sore thumbs, but what I'm hearing isn't recording faults. It's not severe, it's just there and more noticeable at some times than others. Again, it's the curiosity factor of what if this can be "improved", etc.

I've gone through many budget amps and speakers in search of the sound I want. I've found Yamaha's to be very good for stereo. The last few systems I've had used Yamaha or vintage NAD. Doesn't seem to be much difference. I would think the speaker choice is going to make much more difference in your situation and I would put any resources toward different speakers.

John

A fine first post, John. Welcome.

Dan,

If you are running the M22's in such a small room, with that Yamaha amp, there is no way you are running out of power. If you were, you'd be deaf.

The M22's are a very transparent speaker. Any detail in a recording will come out with them.

If you are using a sub, I would recommend crossing them over at around 80hz, and send all the bass down to your sub. This will allow your Yamaha to focus more on amplifying what the M22's can really play properly, which is signal above 60hz.

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A fine first post, John. Welcome.

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Ditto! (EGAD! I sound like Patrick Swayze in Ghost )