Question:
Hi all,
I am looking to buy an AV amp to replace my exisiting (non-AV) amp. Because it will be used for hifi as well as home cinema until I can afford a very nice hifi amp as well I am looking for something that can do both well. I have upto about £400 to spend (but would be quite happy paying 100 quid less if something was great for the price!)
What should be on my shortlist?
So far I have the Yamaha DSPAX630 SE on my list which comes in at a bargainous £270 here:
http://www.hifistore.co.uk/product.php?qsProd=DSPAX630#
I bought a Marantz SR4300 (http://www.hifistore.co.uk/product.php?qsProd=SR4200) a couple of weeks ago on the basis of hearing my cousin's SR4200.
Nice amp, go loud.
It doesn't have 'high-end' setup features (no per-channel tonal control - only per-channel distance and level - is the only one that comes to mind now), and doesn't have many video inputs (4 composite, 2 s-video, no scart or component), but I like it, and I consider it a steal at £300 quid including 3 year warranty (that's something Practical Hi-fi do, no option, in the price you pay). 2 digital optical ins, 2 digital coaxial ins (1 of each out), and 8 analog ins.
It's 80W per-channel at 8 Ohms, 95W at 6 Ohms. LFE out for sub, pre-amp 6.1 in/out, DD 5.1/EX(S?), DTS ES(X?) Neo:6, DPLII, Circle Surround II, and other acronyms as well.
Mine starts humming (from inside the unit, rather than in the output) after a couple of hours, so I'm taking it back to Practical Hi-fi to get it swapped out if I can prove (to myself) it's not an unclean mains supply (can anyone suggest how I'd test for that without specialised equipment that I don't have access to?).
The other issue, mentioned in the sub-connection poll, is the Infinity sub (and previously an Eltax) flicking on and off while watching sources with low bass, despite all speakers set to small, bass to sub, and even with -10db all around except +10db on the sub. Dunno if it's me, the sub or the amp yet - I can't really turn it up too high, being in a mid-terrace house, and lower volumes exacerbate the problem (reasonably, I think).
--Nik
http://nik.angrycake.com
yamaha ax630, got the 620 and I really like that.
It might be a bit cheaper than £400 though.
If you can afford another £100 the Denon 3802 is advertised in various magazines and is great value at this price
Should have said £500
Thanks to all the posters :clap:
So far on my list I now have:
Yamaha AX630
Marantz SR4300
Denon 3802
(... heads off to check specs and prices)
Dont bother, just buy the Denon!
Dave
Have a search around. I was in your situation a while back.
Opted for a Yammy630 in the end, but each to their own (unless they're wrong ;))
Originally posted by rehe
So far on my list I now have:
Yamaha AX630
Marantz SR4300
Denon 3802
(... heads off to check specs and prices)
There is a brand new Marantz SR5200 being auctioned here (http://www.avtalk.co.uk/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=400&start=0&rid=9&S=4051cb3cd915f751c4f879f11eaaed97) for charity. Bidding seems to have stalled at £220 so you could get yourself a bargain :)
I am looking to buy an AV amp to replace my exisiting (non-AV) amp. Because it will be used for hifi as well as home cinema until I can afford a very nice hifi amp as well I am looking for something that can do both well. I have upto about £400 to spend (but would be quite happy paying 100 quid less if something was great for the price!)
What should be on my shortlist?
So far I have the Yamaha DSPAX630 SE on my list which comes in at a bargainous £270 here:
http://www.hifistore.co.uk/product.php?qsProd=DSPAX630#
Answers:
I bought a Marantz SR4300 (http://www.hifistore.co.uk/product.php?qsProd=SR4200) a couple of weeks ago on the basis of hearing my cousin's SR4200.
Nice amp, go loud.
It doesn't have 'high-end' setup features (no per-channel tonal control - only per-channel distance and level - is the only one that comes to mind now), and doesn't have many video inputs (4 composite, 2 s-video, no scart or component), but I like it, and I consider it a steal at £300 quid including 3 year warranty (that's something Practical Hi-fi do, no option, in the price you pay). 2 digital optical ins, 2 digital coaxial ins (1 of each out), and 8 analog ins.
It's 80W per-channel at 8 Ohms, 95W at 6 Ohms. LFE out for sub, pre-amp 6.1 in/out, DD 5.1/EX(S?), DTS ES(X?) Neo:6, DPLII, Circle Surround II, and other acronyms as well.
Mine starts humming (from inside the unit, rather than in the output) after a couple of hours, so I'm taking it back to Practical Hi-fi to get it swapped out if I can prove (to myself) it's not an unclean mains supply (can anyone suggest how I'd test for that without specialised equipment that I don't have access to?).
The other issue, mentioned in the sub-connection poll, is the Infinity sub (and previously an Eltax) flicking on and off while watching sources with low bass, despite all speakers set to small, bass to sub, and even with -10db all around except +10db on the sub. Dunno if it's me, the sub or the amp yet - I can't really turn it up too high, being in a mid-terrace house, and lower volumes exacerbate the problem (reasonably, I think).
--Nik
http://nik.angrycake.com
Answers:
yamaha ax630, got the 620 and I really like that.
It might be a bit cheaper than £400 though.
Answers:
If you can afford another £100 the Denon 3802 is advertised in various magazines and is great value at this price
Answers:
Should have said £500
Answers:
Thanks to all the posters :clap:
So far on my list I now have:
Yamaha AX630
Marantz SR4300
Denon 3802
(... heads off to check specs and prices)
Answers:
Dont bother, just buy the Denon!
Dave
Answers:
Have a search around. I was in your situation a while back.
Opted for a Yammy630 in the end, but each to their own (unless they're wrong ;))
Answers:
Originally posted by rehe
So far on my list I now have:
Yamaha AX630
Marantz SR4300
Denon 3802
(... heads off to check specs and prices)
There is a brand new Marantz SR5200 being auctioned here (http://www.avtalk.co.uk/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=400&start=0&rid=9&S=4051cb3cd915f751c4f879f11eaaed97) for charity. Bidding seems to have stalled at £220 so you could get yourself a bargain :)
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