Comments on: Home Cinema Amplifier Buyers Guide

By: Mark Burns

Mark Burns — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:08:26 +0000

I am in the processof up grading my home surround sound system and have firstly purchased a seperate Sony Blu Ray player Sony BDP-S570B 3D; I’m looking now to upgrade the the amp to a ONKYO TX-SR309B 2011, for the time being I will keep the Samsung surround sound speakers and update to the Boston Accoustics pack when I can slide it past the wife. My issue is with how do I connect the Sky HD, PS3 and new bluray player with the new amp via HDMI? If I connect the Sky HD to the TV via HDMI then I have to connect the HD box to the amp via Digital audio. Will it therefore require a certain amount of synching with the picture/audio? The amp has 4 HDMI ports so how do I take full advantge of these? For instance will the bluray player connect to the tv and the amp via HDMI?

By: Home Cinema Buyer

Home Cinema Buyer — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 20:54:11 +0000

The Sony STR-DA3600ES is a superior amp than the STR-DN610, but at 4 times the price it should be! With system of this cost you should really be getting some speakers that are of equal quality, and at this end of the market I could only really advise you head off to your local hi-fi store and sound test a few.

By: Grant Dalzell

Grant Dalzell — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:01:15 +0000

Thanks for the quick response. Is the benefit of a Sony STR-DA3600ES over the Sony STR-DN610 worth the extra money and what speakers would you suggest to run for this amp? I ask because I also have a Sony PS-212 direct drive turntable I would hook up and the STR-DN610 doesn’t have a phono input.

By: Home Cinema Buyer

Home Cinema Buyer — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:22:32 +0000

If you want to stick with Sony, the STR-DN610 is good value and has a similar power rating (7 x 100W rather than 6 x 90W). You might find that your speakers are a little underpowered though, but see how you get on with them and perhaps upgrade later?

By: Grant Dalzell

Grant Dalzell — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 19:42:53 +0000

I want to upgrade my system to be able to use HDMI technology. I currently have a Sony STR-DB790 amp with a Sony SA-VE356T speaker package. I will need to connect a Bluray player, Xbox, Sky HD, etc. What amp would you recomend to be able to use my exixting speakers or would you upgrade everything. My budget for the amp alone is around £500.

Thanks.

By: Home Cinema Buyer

Home Cinema Buyer — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:41:23 +0000

If you want to add surround sound, you'll need an amplifier and speakers. The Onkyo TX-SR308 is under £200, and you could get the Jamo A102 HCS5 speakers - but thats takes you nearer £400. You could also add on a soundbar such as the Samsung HW-C470 which would give you a virtual surround sound effect. Alternatively, you could use your Blu-ray player in another room and buy something like the Panasonic SC-BT230 home cinema system which has everything you need in one box?

By: Selwyn Bullock

Selwyn Bullock — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:49:36 +0000

Hope you can help with a very basic question, as I’m getting so confused I think my brain is starting to hurt! I have a Panasonic Plasma TV and Panasonic Blu-ray player purchased earlier this year. Although we don’t watch a lot of films, the intention was to add speakers at a later date (i.e. this Christmas) to make up a home cinema system. However, the retail outlets I have spoken with tell me I can’t do this and need to buy an amplifier into which I can plug the Bluray player as well as my Virgin +box and games console. I was hoping not to spend £300 on an amplifier and wonder if there is a cheaper way to get home cinema sound on my Blu-ray player.

By: Home Cinema Buyer

Home Cinema Buyer — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:01:29 +0000

If you want to pass through a 3D video signal, then you will need a HDMI 1.4 compatible amplifier.

By: Home Cinema Buyer

Home Cinema Buyer — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 07:59:40 +0000

Samsung don’t sell separate amplifiers in the UK, so you would have to use another manufacturers. Whether you can use the speakers depends on what connections they have on the ends – sometimes they are specific plugs the manufacturer has designed. You can cut the plugs off the end though and then try connecting to a new amp if you really want to try them, but they are likely to be a little bit low on power for a separate home cinema amplifier.

By: Ollie

Ollie — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:48:26 +0000

Hi,

I’ve got a Samsung HT-X200 2.1 system but the amp is broken. I’m a bit of a novice and I’d be keen to upgrade and get a better amp – I assume I can keep the speakers and woofer and just get a new amp? I’ve noticed that Samsung Blu-Ray/DVD players don’t have the connections for the speakers so I assume I have to buy a Samsung Home Cinema amp on its own. Where can I buy them separately and what are my options?

Cheers,

Ollie