Can you reccomend a decent AV amp?

[mattpullen64]

Hi, I've got a good quality stereo hifi system, but am now looking to add an AV amp to it purely for watching movies (i.e. not playing music too). Can you recommend brands /models to go for? I'm a bit out of touch as far as the current technology at the moment, but thought that brands like Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo etc were good.

Budget is circa £400 and i'm more than happy to get something ex-demo or second hand, as being state of the art isn't important but the sound quality is. The AV amp must have a decent quality processor as i'll be using the pre-out to connect to the fronts via my Primare pre-amp. And, an HDMI input or two would be handy so it remains future proof. Im not so concerned about outright power or gimmicks.

Main source will be an HD Media box (probably connected by HDMI or just Coax for the sound) and speakers are all Spendors if that makes a difference. Will be used in 5 speakers only, but might be good to have the option to add more speakers at a later date.


All seems like a bit of a mine field out there with lots of different models being updated all the time! so any advice much appreciated...

[WZC1]

From the newer amps Yamaha and Marantz are top of the tree for sound quality IMO. We have recently hooked up a a Marantz SR5003 through a power amp in our demo room to very good results and it might just hit your budget.

Nick

[mattpullen64]

As part of the auto-setup, do the modern receivers adjust their pre-out levels to take into account the varying gains when using power amps to power the front speakers and the receiver to power the rest of the speakers directly?

[Graham E]

mattpullen64 said:

As part of the auto-setup, do the modern receivers adjust their pre-out levels to take into account the varying gains when using power amps to power the front speakers and the receiver to power the rest of the speakers directly?

Yes, and no.

It will adjust for the relative gain, but not for a difference in linearity - so if uou set it at, say ref-10dB, it'll be correct at -10, and probably wrong at 0 or -25.

[Asterix]

I'm on my second Onkyo unit (S875) and been very happy so far. Reliable, good sound, easy to set up and looks fine.

Could do worse.

[t84]

If it's any help I'm looking at this:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/s...

It's a cheap one though but I can't afford any more on an amp, seems to have a lot of features for a low price and is liked on AVForums.

[andye30m3]

I bought one of these last year and am quite happy with it.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/d...

[morgs_]

I went for the Onkyo TX-705R. Very easy to use, great flexibility and fantastic sound. First time I've done a full AV setup and it sounds amazing, someone with a bit more know how could make it sound even better I have no doubt.

I originally looked at the Onkyo TX-605R which is the model below (I got swayed by a few more bits (mainly HDMI) and a good deal, I'm a sucker for those ) which is a couple of years old now but at £350 seems great value and in fitting with what your looking to spend. All the main features and quality are there still and the guys at O.N. were fantastic, had my 705 next day.