Wow, quick replies.
Budget is about $1500.
I do not understand the power requirements that I need, that is my ignorance/lack of education!
The Yama surround receiver pushes 130W per channel, but I don't understand how this relates to what I need to properly power my Mosaics, Grotto sub, and Vignette center and surrounds.
I am simply not getting the effect that I am looking for, and trying to figure out the problem.
TIA
Bill
Here you go:
The Mosaics need 175 watts
The Vignettes need 125 watts
The Grotto has its own amplifier so you're good there.
I don't know about that Yamaha but you want to find something that produces at least 125 wpc for your Vignettes and then find a good used 2-ch Amp for your Mosaics.
(Note: Thanks to IWalker I understand this now)
You hook it up like this:
DVD -> Receiver Pre-Out -> 2-ch Amp -> Mosiacs
DVD -> Receiver Speaker Out-> Vignettes
DVD -> Receiver LFE/Sub Out -> Grotto
The Receiver will still be doing all the 5.1/7.1 processing and the pre-out will pass the signal unamplified to the 2-ch amplifier. From there the Amp will put out the 175watts you need for your Mosaics.
I have heard Pioneer Elites power Claritys and Frescos and they sound pretty good so I don't know that the THD levels will be that noticeable unless you've got a good ear for that (which I do not).
My advice is $800 for a good 7.1 receiver with Pre-outs that can drive the Vignettes and then a 2-ch Amp for $700 that will do the Mosaics. It's entirely possible to do this for that kind of $$. Don't get a pre-processor because if you do, you'll need a 5 or 7 channel amp to power all your speakers. A pre-processor has no speaker outs as far as I've seen.
I just went with a Denon 2307CI which will do at least 125wpc at 6ohms should I decide to get Vignettes for my surrounds. (I'm going phantom center right now) but that extra Rotel channel will come in handy if I go with a ESL center. I got it for $570 shipped. I found a 3-ch Rotel RB-933 for $700 shipped that does 300wpc.
This setup will at least allow me to actually listen to my SL3s (which have a much higher demand for power than your Mosaics) ... Right now I have a 5.1 Onkyo receiver that can't even do 80wpc so that had to be replaced.
Hope this helps. Keep asking questions, we'll help you as we can.
BTW, Audiogon is your friend