Cheap second hand AV amp advice (Sub £100)
Discussion
Hi all,
I've never owned an AV amp having always just used the tv speaker, but also have been into decent stereos for a long time.
I'm looking into getting an AV amp cheap second hand as I'm interested in improving the tv/film experience. My primary consideration is audio/video quality, however not terribly interested in adding too many speakers. I will initially use it with just stereo pair but hopefully will add a centre channel at some point (being able to better hear dialogue is a concern), and you never know maybe a sub. My stereo speakers that I'll probably use are a pair of Tannoy Devons (HPD315), I also have a spare single HPD315 that I may make into the centre speaker if I ever find the time.
I've had a look about and it seems the more recent AV amps have HDMI sockets and that your other kit plugs into them and then there is an HDMI from the amp to the TV. I understand HDMI will do lossless 5.1 audio (maybe more).
Slightly older stuff does not have HDMI sockets, was component and inputs for digital audio (optical and coax). I understand optical/coax will do lossless stereo but uses compression for 5.1.
I'm concerned about a difference in audio quality over HDMI vs digital/coax, should I be? I also currently have a 1080p TV but intend to get something 4k in a few years when the small child damage risk as mostly passed.
In my price range I can get something more recent with HDMI in/output that would have retailed for certainly less than £500, maybe £300 new. Or I could get something a bit more than 10 years old without HDMI but retailed for £1000 at the time. Which will provide better performance?
Locally to me I can see someone selling:
A Sony STR-DH820 - https://www.whathifi.com/sony/str-dh820/review Was £300 in 2011.
A Pioneer VSX-920 - https://www.whathifi.com/pioneer/vsx-920/review Was £500 in 2010.
A Yamaha RX-V2400 - https://www.soundandvision.com/receivers/104yam Was $999 in 2004.
The mic setup/equalisation appeals on the Yamaha, but maybe it's not that beneficial?
Which would you buy and why? Or would you get something else entirely?
Thanks.
I've never owned an AV amp having always just used the tv speaker, but also have been into decent stereos for a long time.
I'm looking into getting an AV amp cheap second hand as I'm interested in improving the tv/film experience. My primary consideration is audio/video quality, however not terribly interested in adding too many speakers. I will initially use it with just stereo pair but hopefully will add a centre channel at some point (being able to better hear dialogue is a concern), and you never know maybe a sub. My stereo speakers that I'll probably use are a pair of Tannoy Devons (HPD315), I also have a spare single HPD315 that I may make into the centre speaker if I ever find the time.
I've had a look about and it seems the more recent AV amps have HDMI sockets and that your other kit plugs into them and then there is an HDMI from the amp to the TV. I understand HDMI will do lossless 5.1 audio (maybe more).
Slightly older stuff does not have HDMI sockets, was component and inputs for digital audio (optical and coax). I understand optical/coax will do lossless stereo but uses compression for 5.1.
I'm concerned about a difference in audio quality over HDMI vs digital/coax, should I be? I also currently have a 1080p TV but intend to get something 4k in a few years when the small child damage risk as mostly passed.
In my price range I can get something more recent with HDMI in/output that would have retailed for certainly less than £500, maybe £300 new. Or I could get something a bit more than 10 years old without HDMI but retailed for £1000 at the time. Which will provide better performance?
Locally to me I can see someone selling:
A Sony STR-DH820 - https://www.whathifi.com/sony/str-dh820/review Was £300 in 2011.
A Pioneer VSX-920 - https://www.whathifi.com/pioneer/vsx-920/review Was £500 in 2010.
A Yamaha RX-V2400 - https://www.soundandvision.com/receivers/104yam Was $999 in 2004.
The mic setup/equalisation appeals on the Yamaha, but maybe it's not that beneficial?
Which would you buy and why? Or would you get something else entirely?
Thanks.
The Yamaha doesn't seem to have any HDMI inputs, and is a bit old and out of date. The other two look ok.
There's little difference between HDMI and Optical audio, so for ease of setup just connect everything via HDMI.
The microphone setup is a bit of a gimmick IMO. As long as your speaker placement is optimal you'll be fine.
Just buy an amp with a good selection of HDMI inputs and you'll be fine. As long as it does DTS, DTS-HD and THX it's happy days.
Check Facebook market place for cheap amps. You can pick up some pretty decent kit for less than £100. People upgrade because the older stuff doesn't do 4k.
There's little difference between HDMI and Optical audio, so for ease of setup just connect everything via HDMI.
The microphone setup is a bit of a gimmick IMO. As long as your speaker placement is optimal you'll be fine.
Just buy an amp with a good selection of HDMI inputs and you'll be fine. As long as it does DTS, DTS-HD and THX it's happy days.
Check Facebook market place for cheap amps. You can pick up some pretty decent kit for less than £100. People upgrade because the older stuff doesn't do 4k.
Edited by Dr Doofenshmirtz on Friday 14th December 16:43
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
The Yamaha doesn't seem to have any HDMI inputs, and is a bit old and out of date. The other two look ok.
There's little difference between HDMI and Optical audio, so for ease of setup just connect everything via HDMI.
The microphone setup is a bit of a gimmick IMO. As long as your speaker placement is optimal you'll be fine.
Just buy an amp with a good selection of HDMI inputs and you'll be fine. As long as it does DTS, DTS-HD and THX it's happy days.
Check Facebook market place for cheap amps. You can pick up some pretty decent kit for less than £100. People upgrade because the older stuff doesn't do 4k.
Thanks, yes that's where I'm looking. I will check out the Sony and Pioneer a bit more then. I just wondered about the Yamaha because it was £££ as to whether the sound quality would be leagues ahead.There's little difference between HDMI and Optical audio, so for ease of setup just connect everything via HDMI.
The microphone setup is a bit of a gimmick IMO. As long as your speaker placement is optimal you'll be fine.
Just buy an amp with a good selection of HDMI inputs and you'll be fine. As long as it does DTS, DTS-HD and THX it's happy days.
Check Facebook market place for cheap amps. You can pick up some pretty decent kit for less than £100. People upgrade because the older stuff doesn't do 4k.
Edited by Dr Doofenshmirtz on Friday 14th December 16:43
Compressed Digital Audio vs Uncompressed (Optical vs HDMI) - until you start setting up a big speakers, big amped surround system you really aren't going to notice the difference. I'm still not sure I can tell the difference between DTS and DTS Master. I'm sure they just turn the bass up!
HDMI switching in the amp - get it if you ever plan on having multiple AV sources - it really simplifies switching audio and video, and only one cable to the TV.
HDMI switching in the amp - get it if you ever plan on having multiple AV sources - it really simplifies switching audio and video, and only one cable to the TV.
Multiple HDMI inputs are a definite, what will you have?
Do you watch your TV through a box or built in freeview? If so you'll probably need optical for the TV.
Check the remotes of the amp you buy, sometimes they're unnecessarily complicated.
Also see if they can turn your tv on/off, as that'll save using another remote. When I use my set up we need to use 3 remotes to turn on tv, virgin box and amp. From then on virgin can control the amp volume so ok.
You're being picky about the sound quality, yet you'll be coming from tv speakers, trust me, anything will sound better!
Do you watch your TV through a box or built in freeview? If so you'll probably need optical for the TV.
Check the remotes of the amp you buy, sometimes they're unnecessarily complicated.
Also see if they can turn your tv on/off, as that'll save using another remote. When I use my set up we need to use 3 remotes to turn on tv, virgin box and amp. From then on virgin can control the amp volume so ok.
You're being picky about the sound quality, yet you'll be coming from tv speakers, trust me, anything will sound better!
Hayek said:
Hi all,
I've never owned an AV amp having always just used the tv speaker, but also have been into decent stereos for a long time.
I'm looking into getting an AV amp cheap second hand as I'm interested in improving the tv/film experience. My primary consideration is audio/video quality, however not terribly interested in adding too many speakers. I will initially use it with just stereo pair but hopefully will add a centre channel at some point (being able to better hear dialogue is a concern), and you never know maybe a sub. My stereo speakers that I'll probably use are a pair of Tannoy Devons (HPD315), I also have a spare single HPD315 that I may make into the centre speaker if I ever find the time.
I've had a look about and it seems the more recent AV amps have HDMI sockets and that your other kit plugs into them and then there is an HDMI from the amp to the TV. I understand HDMI will do lossless 5.1 audio (maybe more).
Slightly older stuff does not have HDMI sockets, was component and inputs for digital audio (optical and coax). I understand optical/coax will do lossless stereo but uses compression for 5.1.
I'm concerned about a difference in audio quality over HDMI vs digital/coax, should I be? I also currently have a 1080p TV but intend to get something 4k in a few years when the small child damage risk as mostly passed.
In my price range I can get something more recent with HDMI in/output that would have retailed for certainly less than £500, maybe £300 new. Or I could get something a bit more than 10 years old without HDMI but retailed for £1000 at the time. Which will provide better performance?
Locally to me I can see someone selling:
A Sony STR-DH820 - https://www.whathifi.com/sony/str-dh820/review Was £300 in 2011.
A Pioneer VSX-920 - https://www.whathifi.com/pioneer/vsx-920/review Was £500 in 2010.
A Yamaha RX-V2400 - https://www.soundandvision.com/receivers/104yam Was $999 in 2004.
The mic setup/equalisation appeals on the Yamaha, but maybe it's not that beneficial?
Which would you buy and why? Or would you get something else entirely?
Thanks.
I’ve got a whole setup if you are interested?I've never owned an AV amp having always just used the tv speaker, but also have been into decent stereos for a long time.
I'm looking into getting an AV amp cheap second hand as I'm interested in improving the tv/film experience. My primary consideration is audio/video quality, however not terribly interested in adding too many speakers. I will initially use it with just stereo pair but hopefully will add a centre channel at some point (being able to better hear dialogue is a concern), and you never know maybe a sub. My stereo speakers that I'll probably use are a pair of Tannoy Devons (HPD315), I also have a spare single HPD315 that I may make into the centre speaker if I ever find the time.
I've had a look about and it seems the more recent AV amps have HDMI sockets and that your other kit plugs into them and then there is an HDMI from the amp to the TV. I understand HDMI will do lossless 5.1 audio (maybe more).
Slightly older stuff does not have HDMI sockets, was component and inputs for digital audio (optical and coax). I understand optical/coax will do lossless stereo but uses compression for 5.1.
I'm concerned about a difference in audio quality over HDMI vs digital/coax, should I be? I also currently have a 1080p TV but intend to get something 4k in a few years when the small child damage risk as mostly passed.
In my price range I can get something more recent with HDMI in/output that would have retailed for certainly less than £500, maybe £300 new. Or I could get something a bit more than 10 years old without HDMI but retailed for £1000 at the time. Which will provide better performance?
Locally to me I can see someone selling:
A Sony STR-DH820 - https://www.whathifi.com/sony/str-dh820/review Was £300 in 2011.
A Pioneer VSX-920 - https://www.whathifi.com/pioneer/vsx-920/review Was £500 in 2010.
A Yamaha RX-V2400 - https://www.soundandvision.com/receivers/104yam Was $999 in 2004.
The mic setup/equalisation appeals on the Yamaha, but maybe it's not that beneficial?
Which would you buy and why? Or would you get something else entirely?
Thanks.
Onkyo 1910 and Kef KHT 2005.2 5.1 surround sound with stands and Sub if you are interested?
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