[Markbegg49]

Hello, I am just moving into my first flat and would like to purchase an audio system for the front room. I would like to use my ps3 and sky+hd with it. I am only looking to spend around £200 if I can, any ideas?

[chrisjr]

What sort of system?

A full blown surround sound amplifier and speaker package?
A HiFi separates system (ie amp, CD player, Tuner & speakers)?
Some sort of all in one box system?

Option 1 might be difficult at that price level. Option 2 is doable. Option 3 is basically take a trip to Currys or Comet and pick whatever box takes your fancy

If you want a "proper" system then perhaps a trip to Richer Sounds might prove useful.

[Chris Frost]

Full HD audio AV receiver and speaker package for a measly £200....... Yes you can!

Hotdeals have an offer running for £30 off the Onkyo HTS3305 amp & speaker combo at Richersounds. £199.99 I think. Job done.

[Markbegg49]

I think I need an amplifier and speakers. I would prefer speakers on stands if possible? The Onkyo stuff looks good though.

[chrisjr]

Do you need the full surround sound experience or would stereo suffice?

Surround sound is good for watching the telly or a movie on DVD or whatever but not so hot in plain stereo mode for listening to music. If music is your primary reason for wanting a system then you are much more likely to get a decent sound from a simple stereo amp and pair of good speakers.

Not sure if you can get stands for the Onkyo speakers though.

[howard h]

I got a decent amplifier from Maplins for around £80. Freesat box into one audio input, also takes audio from my computer, laptop and has capacity for more.

Connected then to two L and two R speakers* (open cable, not plugged) and it does fine for me, although there is a wee hiss when there's no sound input.

Reckon it's OK for the price and does the job for me.

*Speakers not provided

[Markbegg49]

I would like to use it for blurays and computer games mainly and sky if it supports it

[Chris Frost]

You can do all of that with a basic stereo amp & speakers.

An AV amp will give you stereo for music (but not as good as a dedicated 2 ch amp for the same money), surround sound from stereo sources (music, gaming, etc), and proper 5.1 surround from some Sky channels and DVDs and Blu-rays and a games console or PC if it's hooked up with the right outputs & cables and the software has a surround sound encounded audio track.

Blu-ray has this higher quality HD-audio (Dolby TrueHD & DTS-Master) along with a standard surround sound audio for legacy compatibility. The HD-audio is only accessible via the HDMI connection, and the amp has to be able to decode it too. That Onkyo I mentioned before is about the cheapest amp that does this.

If your priority is music and you want the best audio fidelity then a stereo amp is what you want. But if it's a mix of everything including movies then a surround kit is the better option.

[Markbegg49]

Brilliant thanks for that Chis, I think I understand now. My last question is what's the difference between active and passive subs?

[laser558]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markbegg49

Brilliant thanks for that Chis, I think I understand now. My last question is what's the difference between active and passive subs?

I'm sure someone might correct me here but I believe an active means it has it's own in built amplifier whereas a passive means it requires an external amplifier.

[Chris Frost]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markbegg49

...what's the difference between active and passive subs?

... errr... about an extra £130 that you're not prepared to spend!

laser558 is correct with the practical definition. If money were no issue then an active sub is better. Moving a lot of air with a reasonable sized bass speaker takes more power than driving the small satellite speakers. For this reason active subs have their own in-built power amp which takes the load off the AV Receiver. But for £200 beggars can't be choosers.

If you're worried that you'll be somehow missing out or that your opportunities to upgrade are more limited then you need to chuck more money in the pot. Personally I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

There are members here who'll argue the toss all day long that you really need an active sub. Technically they're right, but that misses the point.

What Onkyo has done for less than £300 is nothing short of miraculous. We can now buy a range of AV Receiver + speaker packages with all the bells and whistles that are missing from all the DVD/Blu-ray all-in-one kits sold by the likes of Currys & Comet. They do HD audio decoding; have loads of connections, and the sound quality is in a different league. Just go buy the HTS3305 before the stock runs out. You won't regret it.

[Markbegg49]

Fantastic! Thanks for all your help, I am sure to buy it now!

[Nostlagic]

I'm looking to buy the Sony STRDA2400ES receiver. Is there a far superiour system for around the same price now and is this system somewhat dated?

[Chris Frost]

I think the 2400 has been discontinued for a while now. It was about £450 at launch in 2008. The last remaining stocks were cleared at £199.

Unless some has some very old stock then I take it you're looking at a second-hand purchase?

If it's the right price then it could be a decent buy, but technology has moved on. An AV Receiver without HDMIs and HD Audio decoding is either going to have to be very cheap or spectacular sounding. The only ones I can think of that fall in to the "spectacular" camp are the ARCAM AVR280 & AVR350.or maybe the £1500+ flagship receiver/amps from Denon and Yamaha.

So, what's the story - and budget - for this Sony 2400?

[Nostlagic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Frost

I think the 2400 has been discontinued for a while now. It was about £450 at launch in 2008. The last remaining stocks were cleared at £199.

Unless some has some very old stock then I take it you're looking at a second-hand purchase?

If it's the right price then it could be a decent buy, but technology has moved on. An AV Receiver without HDMIs and HD Audio decoding is either going to have to be very cheap or spectacular sounding. The only ones I can think of that fall in to the "spectacular" camp are the ARCAM AVR280 & AVR350.or maybe the £1500+ flagship receiver/amps from Denon and Yamaha.

So, what's the story - and budget - for this Sony 2400?

Well basically i'm looking at the refurbished model priced at £223. I'm willing to spend £300-£500 on a more up to date one. Perhaps more preferably on a good discounted model.

[Chris Frost]

Sony STRDA3500ES then A shade under £300 from its original £600 launch price. The only thing missing there is 3D support.

Or a couple with all the bells & whistles...

Pioneer VSX920 - £350 from £500

Yamaha 767 - £399 from £600


...and then the old favourite, the Onkyo 608 @ £325

[Nostlagic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Frost

Sony STRDA3500ES then A shade under £300 from its original £600 launch price. The only thing missing there is 3D support.

Or a couple with all the bells & whistles...

Pioneer VSX920 - £350 from £500

Yamaha 767 - £399 from £600


...and then the old favourite, the Onkyo 608 @ £325

The Yamaha 767 sounds like just the one i'm after. Thanks for your help