New amplifier?
Discussion
I watch a lot of youtube music videos on my laptop, and recently bought a new Panasonic oled TV. I'd like to play the youtube stuff on the TV using an amp to connect to floor standing speakers. I'm budgeting £2-300 for the amp, is that realistic and any recommendations for the amp. Plus what cable should I use between the TV and new amp. Thank you.
Slightly beyond your budget, but I’d go for something like this
https://www.richersounds.com/catalog/product/view/...
Connect the optical output of the TV to the amp and off you go.
https://www.richersounds.com/catalog/product/view/...
Connect the optical output of the TV to the amp and off you go.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 13th March 21:24
[quote=wormus]Slightly beyond your budget, but I’d go for something like this
https://www.richersounds.com/catalog/product/view/...
Connect the optical output of the TV to the amp and off you go.
Thanks. On the same page there's the NR1200, would the sound be as good as the PM6007.
https://www.richersounds.com/catalog/product/view/...
Connect the optical output of the TV to the amp and off you go.
Thanks. On the same page there's the NR1200, would the sound be as good as the PM6007.
RSstuff said:
Thanks. On the same page there's the NR1200, would the sound be as good as the PM6007.
Simple answer is no. With the 6007 you've got a dedicated 2-ch Hi-Fi amp. There are a couple of nods to modern convenience; the remote control, the subwoofer out socket, and the built-in DAC so that digital signal source can be connected without the need for external conversion boxes, but other than that we've got the same kind of purist stereo amp that would have been around at the time when your Missions were rolling off their production line.
Th NR1200 is quite a different beast. Check out the back panel. Here you've got a clutch of HDMI connections, and they include 4K capable HDMI ARC. Then there's the network and streaming functionality. You have Ethernet and Wi-Fi. There's Bluetooth connectivity, Apple Airplay2, a DAB/FM tuner, digital inputs including a USB, second zone output (effectively splitting the amp into two so it can serve two rooms independently, albeit via an external power amp or active speakers), then Heos multiroom functionality. On top of all of there there's a bunch of compatibilities with streaming sources such as Tidal and it's Roon tested as well.
A lot of that might not make much sense right now, but here's the important bit. It all takes money away from the purist 2-channel function of playing music. There's stuff such as HDMI compatibility, AirPlay etc that not only has physical hardware costs but there's licencing fees on each item manufactured too. The money for that comes out of the budget, which is funded by what you pay for the amp in the first place. A much bigger proportion of that budget goes on the ability to play music really well in the 6007 than in the NR1200.
This is a car forum, so in car terms the 6007 is a two-seater sports car with air con and sat nav. It has enough to make you feel comfortable but the purpose of it is still to give you the best driving experience. The NR1200 is a people carrier. That's great if you want a people carrier; 7 seats, TV screens in the headrests, cupholders and little cubby holes everywhere, slidey passenger doors to help get those ISOfix child seats in and out, cruise control, lane assist, eco mode etc What it's not though is sporty. It has a different purpose, and it's good at it, but it's not a little two-seater sports car.
Edited by Lucid_AV on Tuesday 14th March 04:22
Lucid_AV is right but we might lose sight of the fact that you're currently listening on laptop speakers.
The question to my mind is whether you will want more in short order, like 5.1 or better surround sound, or whether you'll be connecting anything else to this arrangement like a games console. That should inform whether you want an AV receiver - and what spec - or whether a classic two channel amp will do.
Me, I would look at the classifieds on AV Forums and see if anything jumped out at me for your budget.
The question to my mind is whether you will want more in short order, like 5.1 or better surround sound, or whether you'll be connecting anything else to this arrangement like a games console. That should inform whether you want an AV receiver - and what spec - or whether a classic two channel amp will do.
Me, I would look at the classifieds on AV Forums and see if anything jumped out at me for your budget.
Thanks for all the info. What I'm thinking is older youtube videos will look a bit rubbish on a big TV, so sometimes I'd just watch them on the lap top. In which case I'd want to send the signal to the amp rather than the TV. Does that make sense. The only other thing I'd be using the amp for is a DVD/CD player. Budget creep is happening, so £400 is pretty much my limit.
trashbat said:
Lucid_AV is right but we might lose sight of the fact that you're currently listening on laptop speakers.
The question to my mind is whether you will want more in short order, like 5.1 or better surround sound, or whether you'll be connecting anything else to this arrangement like a games console. That should inform whether you want an AV receiver - and what spec - or whether a classic two channel amp will do.
Me, I would look at the classifieds on AV Forums and see if anything jumped out at me for your budget.
Agreed.The question to my mind is whether you will want more in short order, like 5.1 or better surround sound, or whether you'll be connecting anything else to this arrangement like a games console. That should inform whether you want an AV receiver - and what spec - or whether a classic two channel amp will do.
Me, I would look at the classifieds on AV Forums and see if anything jumped out at me for your budget.
AVForums is a no-brainier for formally good to excellent amplifiers being moved on by those that need the latest codecs. The OPs budget would easily get a former £1000+ amp from the likes of Denon, Yamaha or Sony etc.
HDMI or Toslink from the TV when watching the OLED , cast from laptop using Bluetooth or airplay to amp when using the laptop.
Would be good to know which Mission floorstanders you have. They made literally millions of the things from ‘meh’ to really quite good.
If the centre is a 75C and the floorstanders are from the same range (752, 753 or 754) then they’re pretty good speakers.
Word of warning - similar to what a large screen OLED looks like when fed a low bit rate YouTube video, you’ll probably experience the same audio wise with a decent amp and speakers showing just how poor some of the audio on YouTube is.
Still, will be a world of difference compared to laptop speakers.
Edited by legzr1 on Tuesday 14th March 11:30
RSstuff said:
Room is 26ft x14ft, with no attached neighbours I do like to listen to music quite loud.
TBH I think a £200-£300 amp will fall short. My feeling is you could usefully have a look at something like Audiolab 6000A from a little over £600That Marantz 6007 would be the absolute minimum.
RSstuff said:
OutInTheShed said:
One parameter which influences cost and choice is:
How much power do you need?
How big is the room, what do you want to watch/listen to and how loud do you like it?
Room is 26ft x14ft, with no attached neighbours I do like to listen to music quite loud. How much power do you need?
How big is the room, what do you want to watch/listen to and how loud do you like it?
Exactly how many watts are worthwhile could fill the forum with debate.
There isn't a number I'd commit to, but I reckon lots of people might suggest 75W/channel or more?
Depends on speakers, soft furnishings type of music and the weather of course!
trashbat said:
Lucid_AV is right but we might lose sight of the fact that you're currently listening on laptop speakers.
This. I'd get whatever amp and speakers you fancy right now to get started. Whatever you buy will sound 100x better than a TV or a laptop or even a soundbar.In the past I'be bought kit and ended up rotating what I have in each room, so new kit goes to the main system, older kit goes to the kitchen or bedroom etc and eventually gets send of to a friend or relative who's doing exactly what you're doing now. It's the circle of life
Incidentally, that amp does get reasonably good reviews, it's not a lemon.
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