Need AV amp advice please

[VurtHed]

Hi

I'd be grateful for some ideas.

I have the following:

a DVD player with both 5.1 & DTS decoder

a decent 2 speaker hifi system

I would like to set up an AV system that will play films with full digital surround (either format), TV/video on pseudo-surround, and console games on digital/pseudo-surround.

I have chosen the extra speakers I need, but now need to look at an amp. I think I need the following:

o I don't need a decoder in the amp (unless consoles need a separate decoder for 5.1 games. Can anyone confirm this? I know the PS2 supports 5.1 - Xbox, GC anyone?)

o multiple analogue inputs (video/consoles/etc.). The more the better!

o some sort of pseudo-surround processor for non-digital sources.

o I may like a receiver, but it's not a huge factor

o analogue phono outputs for the front speakers via my hifi amp

o great sound - obviously

Anything else I've missed?

My budget is around £150 - £500. Ideally somewhere in the middle I guess.

Thanks in advance.

Nick

[Neon]

1. What is your "decent 2 speaker hifi system?"
2. What speakers have you chosen?
3. Phono outputs for fronts via your amp ... do you mean line level?
4. Do you only need amplification for the 3.1 additional channels?

[VurtHed]

Hi Neon - thanks for your time.

Here's answers to your questions.
1. What is your "decent 2 speaker hifi system?"
Arcam DiVA A65/KEF Q35.2 (I think it's decent - others might not!:D )

2. What speakers have you chosen?
KEF Q95.2 centre / KEF Q85.2 surrounds

(as you can see - I'm a KEF Qx.2 fan!)

I suppose I want an amp to do this lot justice...
3. Phono outputs for fronts via your amp ... do you mean line level?
I would have thought so - I assumed my HiFi amp would be doing the amping here. Unless there's other options?
4. Do you only need amplification for the 3.1 additional channels?
Thinking about it - at some stage I may move my hifi elsewhere in the house and get some new fronts. So I would like all 5.1 really.

Thanks

Nick

[Neon]

You're right - it is decent. I just had a horrible feeling that you weren't letting on what you had because it wasn't! Mating a 100W per channel processor to a 3W per channel Bush might have been a little tricky!

If you decide to go for DD/DTS/PL decoding and 3 channel "top-up" amplification, the Yamaha DSP-E800 - look at http://www.homecinemachoice.com/testbench/Processors/Yamaha/YamahaDSP-E800.shtml for a review.

If you want to go the whole hog look at the Denon 1602 or the Yamaha RXV-620RDS. The former has PL2 decoding. They are both suited to music reproduction as well as "cinema sound".

They're all available from http://www.hifijunkies.co.uk - I can highly recommend this company. Low prices, free delivery and free extended warranty.

[Bapapapa]

It's pretty pointless going for the Yammy E800 nowadays as you can get a full blown receiver/decoder nowadays for the same dosh.

For £300 look at Yammy 620, Marantz 4200(?), Denon 1602 etc. They'd all do what you require.

Try www.hifistore.co.uk , www.homecinemaheaven.com , www.unbeatable.co.uk

[VurtHed]

Thanks guys - you've been loads of help.

I'm tempted by the Marantz SR5200.

It's ~£350 for DD6.1 (six point one) and DPL II (plus comes in gold to go with my silver separates and DVD!:D ).

It has pre-outs for each channel - so I'm assuming that I connect the front pre-outs to a line-in on my hifi amp. That correct?

Thanks

Nick

[Neon]

<B><CENTER>It has pre-outs for each channel - so I'm assuming that I connect the front pre-outs to a line-in on my hifi amp. That correct?<BR>~~~~~~~~~~~~~</CENTER></B><BR>
Yes - but, errrm, why would you? Just relocate your old amp to another room.

[Radiohead]

Originally posted by Neon
<B><CENTER>It has pre-outs for each channel - so I'm assuming that I connect the front pre-outs to a line-in on my hifi amp. That correct?<BR>~~~~~~~~~~~~~</CENTER></B><BR>
Yes - but, errrm, why would you? Just relocate your old amp to another room.


so he can use the Arcam for hi-fi duties and powering the fronts, effectively using the Marantz as a processor and to drive the centre and rears.....?

That's what I'd do anyway - best of both worlds...

[Bapapapa]

Originally posted by Radiohead



so he can use the Arcam for hi-fi duties and powering the fronts, effectively using the Marantz as a processor and to drive the centre and rears.....?

That's what I'd do anyway - best of both worlds...

Yeah, I'd do that also.

More flexible than using the E800 as you can split the systems up if you needed to at a later date.

[VurtHed]

I'm in a bedsit ATM - so keeping it all together is the best option now, but obviously if I get a larger place I may well split them up. Least I've got the option anyways...

Thanks again for your help guys. I've bookmarked all the sites you posted - just about to source the gear now.