Amplifier for HB-1MK2 & HC-1MK2

[stsand]

There seems to be a lot of differing opinion on the merits of adding a separate amplifier to power speakers.

I just recently purchased a pair of HB-1MK2 and an HC-1MK2 to replace my existing L/C/R speakers in my home theatre set-up. These Hsu speakkers are capable of handling sigfificantly more power than my old Paradigms.

I am running my system with an Onkyo TX-SR707 receiver. Would I see - or rather hear siginificant improvement from these speakers by adding an amp to drive them?

[shadyJ]

I am not a audiophile, so I don't have a 'golden ear', but I have run HB-1's on a few different receivers and amps, and haven't noticed any difference in the sound between any of them. The units I have used to power the speakers with are:
H/K 3490 stereo receiver
Onkyo TX-sr707
Alesis RA100 2 channel amplifier,
Crown XLS-202, 2 channel amplifier
Kenwood VR107, 5.1 home theater receiver

There are different schools of thought on whether dedicated amplifiers can help improve the quality of sound. I don't know which is true although I suspect it may depend on the speaker. As for the HB-1's, I don't think you will notice the difference any of them, as they are easy to drive and are not low impedance speakers. They should sound the same on any competently-made receiver or amplifier.