When you have front channel preouts on a receiver, you can add a power amplifier such as the Marantz MM7025. You do not have them, however, on that receiver, so adding an amplifier to it is not an option.

If you want to have 5-channel audio, then you should get a receiver that has the preamp outputs for all channels, such as the Onkyo 709, so that you can add an amplifier to the front 2 channels when you want to.

On the other hand, if you only want two channels, I would recommend that you buy the Music Hall A15.2 integrated amplifier, which I think will sound much better than any HT receiver. It is $499 at Music Direct, and IMO it is the best integrated amplifier you can get for under $1000; an excellent unit at a very good price.

ruff13 wrote:

I have some Focal/JM Lab Chorus 716 S floorspeakers that are powered by a Harmon/Kardon AVR 130. The AVR 130 is rated at 45 watts per channel. It is a 5.1 unit. I am looking for some more power.

Should I buy a new receiver, or invest in an amp?

I would like to keep my cost under 1K.

Thanks in advance.