I am shopping for either a great HT receiver or a decent one plus a good amp. Here, I am asking about the amp issues.
1) Can I use any multichannel power amp with a receiver that has pre-outs and recent surround formats and reproduce the surround formats through the amp? 2) Will a used Adcom multi-channel amp connected in this way generally sound better than just going through a receiver? 3) Could I use a 4 channel amp connected to front and rear pre-outs plus the regular speaker outs on the receiver for the center and surrounds and produce good 7.1 sound? Similarly, a 3-channel amp teamed up with the surrounds and rear channels of a receiver or a 5-channel amp teamed up with the rear channel of a receiver?
In general, my choices are to get a NAD T762 (taking the risk on all the reported bugs) or a multi-channel amp (3,4, or 5 channel) plus a decent receiver. I want to get the best set up to drive 4 ohm mains in a 6.1 or 7.1 set up for the $600-$800 range. What do people think?