Is it worth it??

[Dale Laywood]

Im using a Yamaha 396RDS DD amp & a Toshiba SD 100E DVD player.
While this system gives very good DD sound ,I`ve been thinking of upgrading the amp to one that also does DTS.
Is DTS worth it???
Also the Yamaha amp is a bit bulky & I`d like to free up some space under the t.v; Any "slimline recomendations?

[threadkiller]

yes yes yes & yes :nuts: DTS is a major improvement imho, although there are those who will argue the fight for 5.1. :)

[john316]

DTS offers a definite improvement for me and also others like Threadkiller - but for others, they can hear no difference at all. It can depend on your equipment as some amps deal with DTS better than others.

Give it a test with something like Gladiator which contains both a DD 5.1 and DTS 5.1 mix on it. This way you can test both formats easily.

[MikeK]

This subject is a bit of a hot potato.

I don't think anyone would argue that full bitrate DTS has an edge over DD. However, very few discs actually have a full bitrate DTS track - most of the few discs which have a DTS track, have the half bitrate version.
Then it's very close IMO.
There have been instances where the DTS track has been mixed "incorrectly", deliberately or otherwise, in ways such as boosting the overall level so the DTS sounds louder, boosting the LFE channel level, boosting the surround channels levels etc.
All of these "tricks" can make the DTS track appear to be more dynamic played back on a home setup with a straight comparison to DD, but you could do this yourself by adjusting the settings for DD.

The other issue is the fact that relatively few discs actually have a DTS soundtrack of any sort anyway. DD is pretty much universal.
One other issue (certainly for me, but for others I accept perhaps it's not) with DTS, is that range compression doesn't work with it - which means if you tend to watch movies late at night, it's nearly impossible to listen to a DTS track at an acceptable level - the loud bits are too loud, and the quiet bits too quiet. With DD, you just flick the range compression on, and it works a treat.

The bottom line is if I were buying an amp for the first time, I'd make sure it did have DTS (they practically all do now anyway), as it's nice to have the option I suppose, but if I had a current DD setup which I was generally happy with, I wouldn't be in a rush to scrap it just to get DTS.

[Dale Laywood]

Thanks,

Looks like I may go for the DTS amp. Any recommendations on a decent one(slimline).I`ve heard Pioneer do a decent slimiline amp(vsx300) but its not as powerful as the Yam`; Should I use my existing Yamaha / accoustic solutions speakers & active sub with this(Yamaha amp =60 watts per c/h).? or would it be better going for the pioneer speaker set?
(My main reason for changing is to free up some space under the tv- The Yamaha amp is big but the sound is good,therefore whatever I change to needs to equal or better its performance)

[MikeK]

Originally posted by Dale Laywood


The Yamaha amp is big but the sound is good, therefore whatever I change to needs to equal or better its performance)

Forget the VSX300 then! :) (to be fair, it's a lifestyle product designed to appeal to those who appreciate aesthetics as much as or more than sound quality)

Practically all other AV amps/receivers will be at least similar in size to the Yamaha you already own, or bigger.


As for speakers, can't really say either way without knowing what you already own, but let's just say Pioneer are not exactly one of the top speaker makers in the world today!

[Dale Laywood]

Thanks for your input.If a decent amp is going to be a similar size to the one I already own then I may as well go for one of the Yamaha models with dts & put up with the lack of space under the tv.(sound quality is more important than asthetics)
As for the speakers the surround ,centre speakers & active sub are the ones that came with the kit(NS-P210) whereas the left & right have been upgraded to a pair of Acoustic solutions Av 80`s which are an improvement on the Yam`s.
I`ll probably stick with these speakers if I go for another Yam.:)

[MikeK]

Originally posted by Dale Laywood
Thanks for your input.If a decent amp is going to be a similar size to the one I already own then I may as well go for one of the Yamaha models with dts & put up with the lack of space under the tv.(sound quality is more important than asthetics)
As for the speakers the surround ,centre speakers & active sub are the ones that came with the kit(NS-P210) whereas the left & right have been upgraded to a pair of Acoustic solutions Av 80`s which are an improvement on the Yam`s.
I`ll probably stick with these speakers if I go for another Yam.:)


I'd have a look at the Marantz SR4200 - £250 from Justin at Home Cinema Heaven.
Not only does it have DD and DTS, it also does Prologic2, which breathes a bit of extra life into VHS tapes and TV broadcasts, over and above standard Prologic.
Popular opinion says it's one of the best, if not the best budget AV receivers around at the moment.


But to be honest, if you are after better sound, then upgrading your speakers should be a higher priority than the amp, certainly the centre speaker (possibly the most important of all the speakers in a 5.1 system, and often skimped on).
A decent centre speaker should be available for your setup for £80 or less. Try the Kef Cresta at £60, on offer at Richers at the moment.
Then have a look/listen to some reasonable subwoofers - the PDR10, at £150 is a good place to start.
And finally, look at upgrading the rear speakers too at some point.
Fifty quid or so would do it (the JPW ML310 at £40 would be good, if Richers have any left at that price, or the Cresta Ones at £60).



So

Marantz SR4200, and an NSP210 speakers set (with the fronts replaced with AS AV80s)

vs

Yamaha RXV396, AS AV80 fronts, Kef Cresta centre, ML310 rears (or perhaps Cresta Ones at £60), and a PDR10 sub.


I'd place a sizable wager that Gladiator in DD on the Yamaha 396 setup would sound better than Gladiator in DTS on the Marantz 4200 one.
Ultimately DTS may debatably have a slight edge, but only on like for like kit, and even then it's not like a night and day difference.

Most of your discs will probably only have DD anyway, and in that case there will be very little to be gained by simply swapping the Yamaha amp out for the Marantz - their DD performance on your current system will probably be fairly indistinguishable from each other. Of course, you would get the bonus of DPL2, but I really don't think that alone is worth the cost of the "upgrade".

Still, it's your money, so it's your decision.
If I had £250 to spend to improve your system, I'd be spending it on the speakers - not another amp.

[Radiohead]

Originally posted by Dale Laywood
Thanks for your input.If a decent amp is going to be a similar size to the one I already own then I may as well go for one of the Yamaha models with dts & put up with the lack of space under the tv.(sound quality is more important than asthetics)
As for the speakers the surround ,centre speakers & active sub are the ones that came with the kit(NS-P210) whereas the left & right have been upgraded to a pair of Acoustic solutions Av 80`s which are an improvement on the Yam`s.
I`ll probably stick with these speakers if I go for another Yam.:)

Yamaha do make good amps (I've recently sold my old DSP-A5), but be aware of other receivers in your price range. If you're looking at the Yam 620 amp, then also listen to the Denon AV1602 and the Marantz SR4200. Both of these offer Pro-Logic II, which the Yam doesn't. The Yamaha might just edge it for pure AV, but if you plan on using for music as well, then the Marantz particularly should be considered. Both the Denon and Marantz will give you DD and DTS.

[GAmbrose]

I don't suppose there is a list anywhere that shows which DVD's have full rate DTS and which have half rate?

Gary A

[rogeralpine]

Originally posted by GAmbrose
I don't suppose there is a list anywhere that shows which DVD's have full rate DTS and which have half rate?

Gary A


....was about to ask that question myself! Things like SPR DTS - which are used as a reference point - I'm 99% certain are only half rate. I have seen a review site - got it in my favourites somewhere - that lists the DTS bit rate. Very useful, but what would be more useful is a site listing bitrates for all DTS movies.

I'm not certain, but I'm sure nearly all DTS films are half rate - even superbit. Not sure what, if any, use full rate 1.5 - music??

[Dale Laywood]

Thanks to all for your input........ off to make my decision:rolleyes:

[clayts]

Originally posted by Radiohead


Yamaha do make good amps (I've recently sold my old DSP-A5), but be aware of other receivers in your price range. If you're

How much did you flog it for Radiohead, out of interest ? I'm probably gonna be shifting mine later this year and upgrading to a Denon amp with DPL2. Mine was new on release (May 2000)

[Radiohead]

Originally posted by clayts


How much did you flog it for Radiohead, out of interest ? I'm probably gonna be shifting mine later this year and upgrading to a Denon amp with DPL2. Mine was new on release (May 2000)

I got £160 for it - and that was without too much trouble (ie. after 2 hours on ebay!). Could have got about £180-£200 I think. Be aware that some dealers are selling them new for £150, but ebay buyers seem a) mental and, b) incapable of searching the web for new UK prices. Which is nice for us



I only paid £180 for it 2nd-hand mind, so I'm pretty pleased. The SR7200 I've bought is a definite step-up as well.

:) ;)

[clayts]

That is crazy money - cheers for the advice, mate :D

[Dale Laywood]

Thanks to all for your inputs......... Went for the Yamaha 620 in the end (silver finish)-----£289.99+£10 ship from www.leconcepts.com:D
I`m very pleased with it & could tell the difference on DTS.I sampled it on Gladiator & thought it was an improvement on 5.1.