Enhancing v2-400 without CPS-1 or DD-5.1

[rear_naked_choke]

Hello all. I am in the process of upgrading my current setup.

This is my current setup below.

Promedia v2-400

Midiland ADS-2000

NO CPS-1

I am planning to upgrade this to the setup below.

A.

Promedia v2-400

Promedia DD-5.1

CPS-1

However, I was also thinking of the following setup.

B.

Promedia v2-400

Yamaha Receiver (forgot the model, but it's a "real" receiver/amplifier)

The price difference between the two is about $70 (B. is pricier). Should I just go for the second one?

1. Can the Yamaha receiver approximate (or even improve on) the performance boost given by the CPS-1/DD5.1 upgrade (cleaned-up sound, less distortion, etc.)? Would the Yamaha be more successful in dealing with the weak-midend sound of the v2-400 (considering it has a full graphic equalizer, and is supposed to be more "industrial-strength")?

2. Since the v2-400's are just 4.1 speakers, can the Yamaha receiver split the center signal between the two front speakers for simulated 5.1 output (like the ADS-2000 and DD5.1 can)?

Also, the Yamaha has nice big headset ports, which is another reason I am thinking of taking this option. Any ideas? Sorry have no dough for upgrading the speakers themselves so this is not an option for me.

[oNer3BeL]

Great question, i would like to know the answer also.

[rear_naked_choke]

Just looked around the forum, and saw the thread "For future ref: Can Promedia be hooked up to...". Apparently, connecting an amplified receiver (like the Yamahas) to amplified speakers (like the v2-400) is a BAD idea. There will be too much power running through, and the whole darn thing will just explode. UNLESS you connect it to the headphone jack, but if we can't even take advantage of the standard OUT's of the Yamaha's, maybe it isn't worth it anymore.