Advice re hifi / AV

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I was recently going to get an upgrade of my hifi equipment. I was simply going to get an amp and cd player and link it to my KEF iq5se speakers. Non of the gear I've tried gives a real improvement to the bass. Don't get me wrong the KEF speakers (now that I have them placed properly in my room) have a nice low end, but I just wanted that little more thump, but don't want to change the speakers as I really love their sound.

So now I have been told that maybe an AV amp with a nice seperate CD player and then a small sub might be the way ahead for me.

So the questions are......

- is it not possible to add a sub to a dedicated hi fi amp.

- is there any loss by getting an AV amp, i.e. is there a trade off in hifi sound quality in order to have the AV kit in there.

- would I be able to connect a PS3 and sky HD box to an AV amp, then output to the KEF floorstanders and a sub, giving a 2.1 type set up. Will this sound good for movies etc without the centre and rear speakers.

As you can see its the quality of the hifi sound and getting that little extra bass that really interests me here, but it seems maybe I can get some AV improvements in with the bargain??

If it makes any difference the gear I have been recommended as a good combination for this type of set up is Yamaha RXV467 AV amp, NAD C545 BEE CD player, KEF Kube 2. I realise there is a huge number of combinations of other makes/models out there, but this is my starting point as its the only system I have heard, all be it not through my speakers.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, you can add a subwoofer HiFi amp.

Yes, there is a massive trade-off in quality if you go down the AV amp route.

You can connect a PS3 to a stereo amp, don't know about a Skybox never having seen one.

The improvement an AV amp gives you has nothing to do with sound quality but lots to do with being able to set up your own home cinema.

 

[Chewy]

turbo t:

- is it not possible to add a sub to a dedicated hi fi amp.

I'm pretty sure there are some out there, but they are not my area - I'm sure others can suggest some...

turbo t:

- is there any loss by getting an AV amp, i.e. is there a trade off in hifi sound quality in order to have the AV kit in there.

The concensous is generally a resounding 'YES', without spending a lot more on the AV amp.

turbo t:

- would I be able to connect a PS3 and sky HD box to an AV amp, then output to the KEF floorstanders and a sub, giving a 2.1 type set up. Will this sound good for movies etc without the centre and rear speakers.

This gear can be connected without problem,yes - though as mentioned above if a stereo amp has digital input you can potentially connect them to it. Movies etc will probably sound good, certainly a hell of a lot better than the TV's built in speakers, BUT definately not as good as a dedicated 5.1/7.1 set-up. However, at least with an AV amp, you can add additional speakers later on as budget allows.

turbo t:

As you can see its the quality of the hifi sound and getting that little extra bass that really interests me here, but it seems maybe I can get some AV improvements in with the bargain??

If it makes any difference the gear I have been recommended as a good combination for this type of set up is Yamaha RXV467 AV amp, NAD C545 BEE CD player, KEF Kube 2. I realise there is a huge number of combinations of other makes/models out there, but this is my starting point as its the only system I have heard, all be it not through my speakers.

If its only sound quality you are interested in for stereo listening, I don't think any AV amp in that sort of price bracket will be good enough for your requirements.

I would try and track down a decent stereo amp with digital inputs and a subwoofer output! There will be other memebers on this site who will no doubt be able to recommend some.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick replies, that's really helpful.

So I am getting the idea that maybe I should go with the original plan and get some good quality hi-fi seperates that compliment the speakers and have a sub output. I will leave the AV stuff alone then I think.

So any suggestions for hifi amps with sub output ? budget is around £300-ish ?

And is this now in the wrong section of the forum??

 

[AL13N]

turbo t:So any suggestions for hifi amps with sub output ? budget is around £300-ish ?
I'd definitely put the Yamaha A-S500 on the audition list. Plenty of power to drive your floorstanders too.

Happy hunting

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that suggestion. I have just read through a few reviews and it certainly seems to impress most reviewers, and has the sub output.

Nice one! I will see if I can get a listen to one.

 

[kinda]

Though it seems intutitively correct, I don't think it's as straight forward as saying stereo is always best.

In pure amplification at a price point it will be, but while audiophiles will potentially recoil, there are big benefits in imaging, having a larger sweetspot, and creating better envelopment with a multi-speaker configuration. Plus the processing of the AV amp can help with problematic speaker / room combos, flattening the frequency response.

I can't really describe myself as an audiophile, but I use a Sonos through a Denon 1911, and Tannoy Arena and the sound is great. I also had good results with my previous Denon amp.

If you're at all interested in having multi-channel music or maybe home cinema I'd have a demo and see what you think.

 

[ric71]

I agree whole heartedly!

I have listened to multi channel music for the last 12 years on various systems including a real high end system for years.

The imaging, bass etc can all be tailored to your room. Audyssey can do wonders if used properly. I have spent weeks of listening setting up my present system. I use it mainly for music, prologic 2 and 5.1.It works . Balance the system correctly and it will impress.

Try listening to a Lexicon processor which specialises in proprietry music surround and it is awseome!!

I find stereo just lacking and i have tried high end systems. Multi channel has more depth. Pound for pound a stereo amp will be better for stereo. Multi channel has in my case, bass driven by a seperate sub so the amp is only dealing with 80 hz and above so it never strains. Yes I would love to get a more powerful multi channel amp/receiver think Arcam etc as they do not compromise on quality. It is diferent horses for courses. Thats why we all have different systems.

Go on all of you give it a go seriously. Get it right for music and movies will sound superb too. THX is another kettle of fish!!

Have fun and experiment