I am looking to replace my integrated sony davs 880dvd/amp/speaker setup for blu-ray and audio receiver plus speakers in the near future.

Is it important to have all the optional HD audio codecs?
Lots of amps seem to omit these?

I also want it to be a hdmi repeater (3/1) and to work with SkyHD.

I do not expect this to be a budget solution, but not looking to break the bank either.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Really need a budget to work on. You are going to need £400 just for the amp.

The modest system below fits the bill and would set you back £900.

Onkyo TX-SR606
PS3
Tannoy EFX5.1 speakers + 2 extra speakers

You could replace the PS3 and speakers with cheaper models, something like the Samsung 1400/1500 and Yamaha NSP110 speaker package and knock the price down too around £695. In doing this you will be cutting back the quality of the system.

£650 is probably the bare minimum for HD audio, 3/1 HDMI, Bluray and speakers.


The system below would set you back £2550.

Denon AVR3808
PS3
KEF HT3005SE

The PS3 is currently the best blu-ray player. Every review I have seen for standalone players mentions sluggish performance or other issues. I don't think there are many other blu-ray profile 2.0 players anyway.

-Chris

as well as the Onkyo try Denon 1909

Can a throw in a mention for the new Sony STR-DG820? Only £250 - decodes all HD audio formats, 4 HDMI in but it does currently have an issue with SkyHD that Sony are working on - see here for review and SkyHD issue, (with a workaround until Sony issues a fix.)

Bear in mind if you get a PS3 as your player you don't need an amp to decode HD audio as long as it accepts LPCM such as the Onkyo 576.

I think that my budget will be between 1-2k.

Ideally player and amp to be same make so they match under the tv.

No mention of the Sony STR-DG820 on sony's web site?
I can find it on other sites but why not sonys own?

yes the Sony seems good as well and a good post

I wish the companies would just bundle a speaker package with these and you had the option to buy with speakers or not

Denon DVD2500BT

http://www.avland.co.uk/denon/dvd2500bt/dvd2500bt.htm

Denon AVR1909

http://www.avland.co.uk/denon/avr1909/avr1909.htm

EPOS ELS3 5.1 speaker package

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/2240

Total £1897 - 5.1
Total £2046 - 7.1 (2x EPOS ELS3's)

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/2237

Not sure whether the Denon Bluray can be profile updated, you will need check with Denon for confirmation. I'd say there's a high probability as firmware/software updates are a available on many of their other products.

Personally I would go for the PS3 saving myself a few quid which I'd put towards a higher model amp and/or speaker package.

I would suggest balancing the budget a little more than that - you won't fully realise the potential of a £900.00 blu-ray player on that amp. The Panasonic DMP-BD30 or DMP-BD50 would be better suited matches for the Denon receiver, though obviously these may not be as aesthetically pleasing a match to the 1909.

Not unusual - especially for Sony, Panasonic and a few others.

They tend not to put their new kit on UK websites until it is widely available, (but people have been buying 820s since early July.) Despite the absence of a page on Sony's site you can still download the manual

Sony's US site has the info which will eventually appear on the UK site.

True, but only if they were using the amp for the audio, personally I would use the Denon for the video and audio, especially if a good display was at the other end, for the audio they would just need to pass it through the HDMI and let the EPOS ELS3's do the rest.

Personally I'd go for a cheaper player, something similar to what you have mentioned and put the remainder towards a different amp, I think I'd stick with the speaker package as they would be pretty hard to beat without going over budget.