It would appear that, after 16 good years of service my trusty Arcam AV250 is in need of replacement so I'm looking for a new digital replacement. We don't have a huge room and it's going to used with Mission M Cubes and Sky HD with a mid range Blu Ray player.
Can anyone recommend anything that would be a good replacement, would be willing to spend £500-600.
Also, when the amp cut out tonight I turned up the speakers on the TV to use but only got sound from BBC1 on Sky and when I changed to another satellite channel the sound cut out from TV speakers.
Thanks for assistance
The M-Cube system is an extremely inefficient design (84dB) , so you will want to look at 5 channel receivers with fairly large power amplification capabilities. I find Pioneer product's control scheme to be busy and a little complicated from the front panel, but they do offer a high performing AV receiver (Pioneer VSX-1131) with a fairly high wattage output for a reasonable cost.Originally Posted by sevvy
Get the best Yamaha in your price range..Period.
I'd have said the same but would have replaced "Yamaha" with "Denon" - however Rod's in the business so knows what he's talking about.
Difficult to go wrong with any Denon, Yamaha, Sony, Onkyo or Pioneer in that price range - I don't think people make "bad" AV receivers these days.
Cheers,
Mark C
yep, 100% bang for buck and quality of sound, there can be only one.
When I want any AV stuff I just go to What Hi-Fi, look at their 'awards' section and buy what is recommended in the section best suiting my budget.
A 10 second Google came up with this: - http://www.whathifi.com/awards/2016/...ema-amplifiers
Looks like Denon is the way to go for anything under £1000 and there are two offerings here.
[QUOTE=yumma;4299648]When I want any AV stuff I just go to What Hi-Fi, look at their 'awards' section and buy what is recommended in the section best suiting my budget.
A 10 second Google came up with this: - http://www.whathifi.com/awards/2016/...ema-amplifiers
Sorry but that's not the best way to buy HiFi & A/V equipment.
[QUOTE=Rod;4299842
Sorry but that's not the best way to buy HiFi & A/V equipment.[/QUOTE]
But if you have no idea it's a good place to start and especially if budget is an issue. I bought my entire home cinema set up based What Hi-Fi's Awards issue budget best buys. Sony Blu Ray, Sony Amp and Q Acoustics 5.1 speakers all in around £1200 a few years ago, it sounds superb. What was I supposed to do? spend several days going around a myriad of stockists asking them to rig up multiple combinations to trial. Sorry but I don't have the time, money or inclination to be so discerning. I'm not saying its the best, I'm just saying its a good base point, plus one person may prefer a different tone to another anyway so there is probably no right or wrong answer. I was just trying to positively contribute to the OP's thread.
I'm not criticising you at all but merely pointing out it's not a good way of buying a system. Fine you are happy with your system and that's all that matters.
I'm putting my knowledge of nearly 40yrs of listening to audio and A/V kit in a (& as a) specialist retailer setting, listening to multiple combinations to help the OP.
Buying 'Best Buys' is like trying to put a jigsaw together... some bits will not fit, fine use it as a guide but don't take it for gospel. (These magazines interests are more often after advertising budgets). Same for cars and anything else. 'Which' magazine don't always get it right either.
Thanks for the input so far. I've had a look at some of the Yamaha's available and they seem a good buy to me.
I used to be well up on a lot of stuff, even a bit of a buff for a while, but the system has performed so well for so long now that you lose touch of what's out there. I'd love a new Arcam but really can't justify the price any more with everything else that I have to use funds for.
for what its worth, as an ex sound engineer, I have had Yamaha Amps ever since I have had a 5.1 system, you just cant go wrong with them, even second hand is a good bet.
Good advice, I love mine
Few years back now, but I went with a Denon 4311. It offers HD sound and Audyssey XT32, - which I am personally impressed with. Sets up all your sound autonomously. For the first time, and for 5 years now; I am finally happy with my set up with no urge to upgrade!
Have to agree with the Yamaha recommendations. Had Pioneer and Arcam in the past but the change to Yamaha was a significant improvement to my ears.
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