Get an affordable standalone DAC, you'll be amazed at the difference. I listen to TONS of metal/hard rock. I listen quote loud occasionally and there is ALMOST nothing in my library that is unlistenable as your describe or "too distorted". What are you using as your source for music? Cds? If so, rip them to the computer in FLAC or WAV with a program such as EAC (exact audio copy) on error free method and run it through a DAC. Best thing I did many years ago and haven't looked back since. Using Cds 10 years ago or so sounded pleasing, but the method I use currently elevated audio to another level. The truth is spoken above about the recordings IN GENERAL, but like I said, most sound fantastic on my system IMHO. When you say "distorted", what are you hearing? Be careful nto to smoke your tweeters via clipping your AVR. The number on the receiver is irrelevant, you MAY be running out of gas if you are attempting to overdrive the amp. Plenty of Marantz units can run fire hot as well. If you experience this, may want to look into some cooling as well. I second the crossover points. Take the load off of your mains to free up unclipped power via the lowwe bass which may be eating up your AVRs power. Good luck, have fun.