AV Amp HELP needed
#1
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AV Amp HELP needed
My old AV amp is dying, and is about to get replaced. The thing is, I have no clue about them at all What I do know is that I love music, have a PC with a stack of mp3s on, and 5 speakers and a sub that need an amp.
My previous amp was connected my a coax lead, upmixed where necessary and provided nice sound to my KEF KHT 2005.2 speakers. No doubt I will, in the future, build myself a nice home cinema system, but at present space does not allow.
Just what are all these video inputs/outputs for Thought you would plug all your video stuff straight into your TV, and your audio into the amp - just like I do now.
Was looking at a Sony STR-DB985. What do people think of that when compared to my speakers?
My previous amp was connected my a coax lead, upmixed where necessary and provided nice sound to my KEF KHT 2005.2 speakers. No doubt I will, in the future, build myself a nice home cinema system, but at present space does not allow.
Just what are all these video inputs/outputs for Thought you would plug all your video stuff straight into your TV, and your audio into the amp - just like I do now.
Was looking at a Sony STR-DB985. What do people think of that when compared to my speakers?
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Have heard those makes are good. Its just that this Sony got really good reviews in What Hi-Fi. Dunno what you think about that?
Oh, and whats with all the Video inputs and outputs?
Oh, and whats with all the Video inputs and outputs?
#4
The video inputs are their so you can control everything through the amp, you just plug your amp into the TV and then when you select DVD or TV or Game etc on the Amp it changes both the audio and video simultaneously.
I plug my DVD and Sky directly into the TV because I think the picture is better.
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...onomy_id=42-98
for £398
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...onomy_id=42-98
for £198
would be better.
I plug my DVD and Sky directly into the TV because I think the picture is better.
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...onomy_id=42-98
for £398
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...onomy_id=42-98
for £198
would be better.
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Thanks
Not surprised, using an amp as a pass through is never going to be as good. Seems rather pointless to have all th video conversion features that they seem to be adding to them. Plain old 5 channel amp will do me just nicely
Thanks for the suggestions, will look into both of them
Not surprised, using an amp as a pass through is never going to be as good. Seems rather pointless to have all th video conversion features that they seem to be adding to them. Plain old 5 channel amp will do me just nicely
Thanks for the suggestions, will look into both of them
#6
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Hello
I have a Yamaha AV amp, very happy with it although it can be a little sensitive, I find I have to re adjust some settings because of the broadcast quality of some channels, but it is super adjustable and you can play until your hearts content, the £398 Pioneer looks very good value for money as well.
I have a Yamaha AV amp, very happy with it although it can be a little sensitive, I find I have to re adjust some settings because of the broadcast quality of some channels, but it is super adjustable and you can play until your hearts content, the £398 Pioneer looks very good value for money as well.
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Nice explanation dsmith
Thanks funkii, that Pioneer does look good.
Am just wondering why the Sony I was thinking about managed to get so many good reviews. Maybe its all some sort of media conspiracy
Thanks funkii, that Pioneer does look good.
Am just wondering why the Sony I was thinking about managed to get so many good reviews. Maybe its all some sort of media conspiracy
#9
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In my experience, Yamaha amps tend to be better if you listen to more music than watch movies. I used to run an old Yam DSP2070 back in the days of ProLogic and the surround effects available for music listening knock spots off my newer Pioneer which is the latest DD7.1/DTS. The "church" setting is fantastic for classics, and blues in the "jazz club" is great. I run a separate Cyrus system for pure stereo music listening, but I used to really enjoy playing with the surround effects on the Yammy. Not Hi-fi in it's pure sense, but entertaining. BTW, the Pioneer is absolutely stunning on movies, which is why I got it. DTS through 7 speakers is putting cracks in my walls If I was to buy now I would probably compare Yam/Pio/Denon, with a preference towards Yam for the above reasons but, as most of my time is now watching movies instead of music, I would choose whichever did that job the best and still rely on my old Cyrus audiophile gear for music.
PS. Don't ever buy hi-fi because of a media review, especially one in WhatHiFi! They are famous for giving 5*'s to products that Richer Sounds (their biggest advertiser) have just started flogging at a good price
PS. Don't ever buy hi-fi because of a media review, especially one in WhatHiFi! They are famous for giving 5*'s to products that Richer Sounds (their biggest advertiser) have just started flogging at a good price
#10
Just got one of these: http://www.hifi4less.com/Denon_AVR_1...V_Receiver.htm
I would highly recommend it, especially for £289 with all the features/quality it has.
I would highly recommend it, especially for £289 with all the features/quality it has.
#11
If you want the Denon rrp £329, Empire Direct have made a mistake with pricing £195 but they're prepared to sell it as it's their mistake. £7.99 postage too isn't bad.
http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/conten...=DEN-AVR1906BK
http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/conten...=DEN-AVR1906BK
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I can highly recommend the Denon amps. I've got a 3805 and it's the dogs danglies
I run both the sound and video through it, (it converts everything to component output for input into my plsama), and it means I can switch between sky+, dvd recorder / player, xbox, gamecube, and ps2 with just a touch of a single button
Works really well...
I run both the sound and video through it, (it converts everything to component output for input into my plsama), and it means I can switch between sky+, dvd recorder / player, xbox, gamecube, and ps2 with just a touch of a single button
Works really well...
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Originally Posted by Luminous
Not surprised, using an amp as a pass through is never going to be as good. Seems rather pointless to have all th video conversion features that they seem to be adding to them. Plain old 5 channel amp will do me just nicely
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Wouldn't buy from Either Seven Oaks or Denon again.
I brought an AVC-A1SE from Seven Oaks, had nothing but trouble, many 30 mile trips back and forth, losing it for weeks at a time only to get the same 'no fault found' cobblers.
Eventually I took home their demo machine that worked perfectly, so would they swap my faulty one for a new one, no chance, I had to settle for the scratched demo machine in the end, with no apology or even a shred of embarrassment. No replys from head office or even Denon, so I hold them both equally responsible.
After 4 years the demo machine is still going strong, but beware the aftersales of both companies.
I brought an AVC-A1SE from Seven Oaks, had nothing but trouble, many 30 mile trips back and forth, losing it for weeks at a time only to get the same 'no fault found' cobblers.
Eventually I took home their demo machine that worked perfectly, so would they swap my faulty one for a new one, no chance, I had to settle for the scratched demo machine in the end, with no apology or even a shred of embarrassment. No replys from head office or even Denon, so I hold them both equally responsible.
After 4 years the demo machine is still going strong, but beware the aftersales of both companies.
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Sounds like you had a bad experience with your first Denon amp, but I've heard similar (and worse) horror stories with all the other major brands (Yamaha, Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer etc...)
From what you describe, the real problem was with Sevenoaks, (they should have swapped for a working model). Interestingly, you are not the first person I've heard of that has had troubles dealing with them...
From what you describe, the real problem was with Sevenoaks, (they should have swapped for a working model). Interestingly, you are not the first person I've heard of that has had troubles dealing with them...
#17
Originally Posted by corradoboy
WhatHiFi! are famous for giving 5*'s to products that Richer Sounds (their biggest advertiser) have just started flogging at a good price
#18
Originally Posted by KiwiGTI
Problem is it's a Sony, who aren't very good when it comes to amplifiers etc. you would be better off with Pioneer, Yamaha, or Denon.
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Oh ****, so much divided opinion, life is never simple is it?
That expensive Pioneer looks good, but the Sony I was thinking of is really cheap now, down from £300 to £180 on some internet sites.
Its replacement even has a DAB radio for £350....oh the choices....
My Amp is at its worst when my her indoors decides to use her hairdryer. The amp makes an awful humming noise when she does this. Settles down within a couple of minutes after she has finished. Its a loud transformer hum that comes from the back of the unit itself, v strange
That expensive Pioneer looks good, but the Sony I was thinking of is really cheap now, down from £300 to £180 on some internet sites.
Its replacement even has a DAB radio for £350....oh the choices....
My Amp is at its worst when my her indoors decides to use her hairdryer. The amp makes an awful humming noise when she does this. Settles down within a couple of minutes after she has finished. Its a loud transformer hum that comes from the back of the unit itself, v strange
#20
The Sony is also ancient, getting close to 3 years old.
Sony's lack the refinement in their amplifiers that other brands seem to have. Musically I've never heard a good Sony amp.
Also bollocks!
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I can see that I am going to have to save some pennies here
(BTW - the amp i have now...it cost £50 got it cheap off eBay STR-DB780) I quite like the sound of it though.
(BTW - the amp i have now...it cost £50 got it cheap off eBay STR-DB780) I quite like the sound of it though.
#22
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Originally Posted by Daryl
Bollocks!
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I'm way from experienced in all this. I thought that a floorstanding speaker needed to be well over £200 before it could be compared to a booksheld speaker on a stand. Thought the casing of floorstanders cost so much that is why you needed to pay more before you got a good speaker
Mind you, I have heard a fair few people say that the What Hi-Fi is biased, although, several of them were salesmen try to sell me something!
Mind you, I have heard a fair few people say that the What Hi-Fi is biased, although, several of them were salesmen try to sell me something!
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Problem with wiring the video inputs through the amp is that you have to turn it on all the time to watch any thing, even just TV. So unless you are running plenty of S-video and component inputs, wire at least 1 TV signal direct to the telly, saves you wear and tear on your amp and speakers when just watching news or soap.l
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Give me Denon anyday, I have a AVR-1705, great amp for the money and I have dvd and sky running through this to plasma and picture quality is fantastic. You could do no harm in looking at www.avforums.co.uk its a bit like here, but for all audio/tv etc related issues
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Originally Posted by lokokkee
Problem with wiring the video inputs through the amp is that you have to turn it on all the time to watch any thing, even just TV. So unless you are running plenty of S-video and component inputs, wire at least 1 TV signal direct to the telly, saves you wear and tear on your amp and speakers when just watching news or soap.l
Personally, I always run it through the amp, although I haven't actually got any speakers on the plasma, (it's just a screen), so I have to run the amp to get any sound
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Iain, I think to benefit from the amp's component video output, you need to at least input the video signal via S-video, if not components itself. Using just the composite video input should not result in any improvement, as it is the limiting factor there, something like around 200-250 lines resolution, so 'rubbish in - rubbish out'. Not familiar with scart connectors though, so not sure what's the resolution that you can achieve with them.
From my experience, amps have a shorter service life expectancy than tv, and it is always a good idea to have a lightning isolator wired in if you want to connect any external aerial through it. Don't know about UK weather, but I run through a couple of the isolators every year, much cheaper to replace than the amp, I must add.
From my experience, amps have a shorter service life expectancy than tv, and it is always a good idea to have a lightning isolator wired in if you want to connect any external aerial through it. Don't know about UK weather, but I run through a couple of the isolators every year, much cheaper to replace than the amp, I must add.
Last edited by lokokkee; 14 September 2005 at 08:31 PM.
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I dunno if the amps can do this yet, but if there is some kind of processor it may be able to upscale the image using decent resizing techniques. These techniques could be better than that of the TV, hence the better quality.
Even still, rubbish in is rubbish out, its just that the rubbish may be slightly better than what the TV can do with the signal
Even still, rubbish in is rubbish out, its just that the rubbish may be slightly better than what the TV can do with the signal
#30
Originally Posted by Luminous
I dunno if the amps can do this yet, but if there is some kind of processor it may be able to upscale the image using decent resizing techniques. These techniques could be better than that of the TV, hence the better quality.
Even still, rubbish in is rubbish out, its just that the rubbish may be slightly better than what the TV can do with the signal
Even still, rubbish in is rubbish out, its just that the rubbish may be slightly better than what the TV can do with the signal
Amps which convert video formats (ie in composite out component) can improve the picture without scaling it so I would alwayts connect all audio and video into the AV amp. This will also help with lip sync problems caused by some projectors and plasma screens (especially with progressive signals) as many AV amps (nearly all of the current Yamaha range!) will allow audio to be delayed to match the picture.
Last edited by christyper; 15 September 2005 at 10:23 PM.