Hi there,

I have been talking to people quite a lot and still don't have an answer to my question about receivers vs Amps, etc

At the moment I am a bit confused. I already spent $3,000 on upgrading my
home theater. Got the new Front and rear speakers as well as a Sub.

My system.
A/V Receiver - Yamaha rx-v465
L/R - Ascend Sierra-1 NrT
Center - Ascend Sierra-1 NrT
Surrounds - Ascend HTM-200
Sub - Rythmik F12
TV - Panasonic TH50PX60U (50' Plasma)
Blu-ray/DVD - Samsung BD 6000

Room is 13x18 with 8.5 ceiling. Do 70% movies, 30% music.

Now, people are saying that my receiver is killing the sound that my new
speakers and sub can actually produce.

One says .... get cheap receiver and buy Amp like Emotiva XPA-5. Total cost
around $1,400 spent.

My friend though tells me that separates is now too much hassle and if I
want to keep it simple and not become a pro at this but get best possible
sound from my current set up .. get a Yamaha RX-A2020 ($1,500) or Yamaha
RX-A2010 ($900). He says ... it's all about quality of components, amp and
features. He swears by the Avantage series of Yamaha and says Yamaha
RX-A2010 is all I need.

Now .... in order to find a solution, one has to first list a problem. My
problem with current receiver ....

1) Dialog is not as clear as I want it to be. I read that Yamaha RX-A2020
has a new feature called "Dialog Level Adjustment". The A2010 doesn't have
it. I read that this solves my problem.

2) Seems like a receiver has lower THD. .. 0.06.

3) I feel like better room correction technology may fix some issues I have
with my current room. (bare walls, sound bouncing off, etc, etc.)

4) "4K Pass-through & 4K Upscaling" is present on the RX-A2020 model. I am
always for better picture.

5) Sound quality .... they say Yamaha does great in that department.

I don't care about zones, and I run only a 5.1ch system now. Don't plan on
upgrading any time soon.

So .... a bit frustrated and confused. Go, cheaper 2-3 year old receiver +
Emotiva XPA-3 or -5 vs Yamaha RX-V2020 / 2010 or Marantz SR5007 ?

Any feedback is much appreciated.

thanks.

P.S. I am not trying to build an all pro system. I am OK with upgrading my
receiver every 6-7 years. Just want to get best sound possible for music
and movies from my new gear.