Amp and speakers advice

johnnyflav

My Sony DAV S400 is giving me a heap of troulbe recently, had it repaired for lose capicitors and now one of the speakers starts hissing if not connected exactly right and even then doesn't work for more than an hour or two without needing readjustment.

To replace it I am looking for an amp and speaker setup, I only used my old Sony for sound via optical connection, so all the pre-requisites I would have for a new system is an optical input.

I have a budget of €200-300 and am considering one of these

http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/440430/art/philips/ampli-tuner-pack-5-1-htr.html

http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/536155/art/philips/htr5204-5-1-speakers-ampl.html

http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/541204/art/sony/ht-ddw790-home-cinema-5-1.html

http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/542070/art/yamaha/av-3101-home-cinema-5-1-s.html

If anyone has any experience of any of these or has any other recommendations, your help would be much appreciated.

The Ritz

The last two links you've posted to the Sony and Yamaha setups are well within your budget, they're both entry level av receivers and will offer you the option of easily upgrading the speakers or sub later on if you want.

The Sony setup has HDMI switching, very usful for future use, or right now if you have SKY HD and an upscaling DVD player - you can route both through the amp. Although the Pixmania ad doesn't say so, I think the Sony receiver is the new 510 model, which is €269 on its own from the Sony shops here, so it's good value at that price with the speakers.

I've used a couple of Sony entry level receivers in the past and was perfectly happy with the performance. I haven't used Pixmania myself but have seen mixed opinions about them - satisfy yourself about an online retailer if you haven't used them before.


Ritz.

ZENER

The system you have, the SA400 has been replaced with this. May have what you want at the price.

Of the ones listed in the first post the Sony would be my second choice with the Yamaha first. The Yamaha has 2 optical ins and more power with a USB front facia port. Looks better value for money on paper. Plus its a respected brand - unlike Philips IMO.

ZEN

johnnyflav

Thanks for the help Zen and Ritz, I think I'll go with the Yamaha, it's a fairly budget system but built by a good brand so hopefully will serve me well.

Now I've got to find a place to buy it (since your post I've heard a few horror stories about pixmania)

johnnyflav

Picked up the Sony amp + speakers from a Sony Centre this morning, only set me back 300 bills, so it's cheaper than pixmania.

Very happy so far.

Ciaran500

johnnyflav wrote:

Picked up the Sony amp + speakers from a Sony Centre this morning, only set me back 300 bills, so it's cheaper than pixmania.

Very happy so far.

Are you sure its the same model? Thats very cheap for an official shop.


Thats €8 more than Pixmania btw

johnnyflav

Yeah it's the new 790, it wasn't even on the shelf yet, they got me one out from the back room. I think it might have been a mistake on the pricing as the old 780 was there for 360, and they threw in a free toslink too!!

How's that for service, had almost lost confidence in retail stores.

It may be a little cheaper in pixmania,(got mixed up with another system)... but €8 isn't much when you can just pick it up then and there.