Go for dedicated 2.1 receiver or stick with Hi Fi amp?

[kusum65]

Ive just ordered a subwoofer for music duties and it has made me think of using it with movies in a dedicated 2.1 setting. I was thinking of the Cambridge Audio Sonata receiver and dvd player which have subwoofer outputs.

At present i use my Hi Fi for movies and my Rotel integrated stereo amp does actually have a subwoofer output. The £400 i would need to spend on the Cambridge kit would come in handy for a new TV so im dithering as to what direction to go.

Obviously with the present Hi Fi set up im not getting real cinema sound but never having had a proper home cinema i dont know what i might be missing out on. Any comments on this could help me in the right direction so i welcome any posts.

 

[Andrew Everard]

The best any 2.1 system is going to offer you is 'virtual' surround sound; I'd stick with your stereo amp, and keep the money for the TV.

 

[kusum65]

Thanks Andrew, that really helps. Now if you could only help me choose what to buy for lunch.

 

[Andrew Everard]

I'd stick with whatever you've got in your sandwich box, and put the money you save toward that TV...

 

[kusum65]

Ok. Thats me told