General AV Help Needed Kindly Please - re Sony STR-DA2400ES

[admin_exported]

Dear All

I would be most grateful for any help, suggestions on the below as I want to replace my current amp and I'm not too clued up on some basic AV issues.

I'm looking to upgrade my current old Yamaha Amp which doesn't have True HD to the above Sony (it's the only one I can easily get shipped to where I live) but before I do I hope that someone can help me out on the following questions:

1. I have 5.1 speakers at the moment - will the 7.1 amp automatically output to 5.1 rather than 7.1 or do I need to get additional rear speakers as this is a problem for my lounge.

2. I see that the DA2400 upscales. I've got a Sony PS3 for Blue Rays and aToshiba that automatically upscales for DVD's. Presumably there won't be any loss in picture quality?

3. I currently have an active JVC subwoofer fed by one RCA lead from the amp. Will this work on the 7.1? Is it preferable to have an inactive subwoofer with an amp of this quality?

For background info I'm using Mission front speakers and Technics centre and rear with a 55" Toshiba 200Hhz LCD.

All help most appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Andrew Everard]

1. Yes, the automatic set-up will detect the fact you haven't got surround back speakers, and set the receiver up accordingly.

2. The receiver doesn't scale HDMI inputs, so the signal will go straight through untouched.

3. No, the active subwoofer you have will be fine.

 

[The_Lhc]

Casej13: 1. I have 5.1 speakers at the moment - will the 7.1 amp automatically output to 5.1 rather than 7.1 or do I need to get additional rear speakers as this is a problem for my lounge.

No, you'll be fine, you just tell the amp (or let it find out through its auto-calibration) that the extra rears aren't there and it takes that into account. You don't find very many 7.1 soundtracks anyway, so the point is frequently mute (as are the speakers, arf!)

2. I see that the DA2400 upscales. I've got a Sony PS3 for Blue Rays and aToshiba that automatically upscales for DVD's. Presumably there won't be any loss in picture quality?

No, you might even see an improvement. Best thing to do is test the system with each part doing the upscaling, ie turn off the upscaling on the amp and let the DVD do it, then turn the DVD upscaling off, enable it on the amp and see which you prefer.

3. I currently have an active JVC subwoofer fed by one RCA lead from the amp. Will this work on the 7.1? Is it preferable to have an inactive subwoofer with an amp of this quality?

No, as far as I know there's no such thing as a passive subwoofer. Every AV amp that I'm familiar with requires an active sub.

For background info I'm using Mission front speakers and Technics centre and rear with a 55" Toshiba 200Hhz LCD.

You'd be advised to have a centre speaker that matches the fronts but other than that it doesn't really make much odds.

 

[The_Lhc]

Andrew Everard:2. The receiver doesn't scale HDMI inputs, so the signal will go straight through untouched.

D'oh!

 

[Andrew Everard]

the_lhc:D'oh!

...And sl'oh, too

 

[Anonymous]

You are both stars - thank you very much.

Concerning the upscaling, according to Amazon "four HDMI inputs, Faroudja DCDi Cinema 1080p upscaling technology"?

Finally, in a nutshell, is it a good amp?

Thank you!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Casej13:Concerning the upscaling, according to Amazon "four HDMI inputs, Faroudja DCDi Cinema 1080p upscaling technology"?

Yes, but it only upscales from analogue video inputs, not from HDMI.

Casej13:Finally, in a nutshell, is it a good amp?

Yes.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you Andrew.

Your quick response is greatly appreciated.