How much better will a new av amp sound?

[admin_exported]

Hi , I have a sony surround sound amp - str-db940 qs - linked to my ps3 bluray via a optical lead and I am really enjoying the sound of concerts recorded on bluray discs. I am wondering if it is worthwhile upgrading to the sony str2400es or yamaha 763 amps recently reviewed in What HiFi. I have a Rel SUB and boston acoustic surrounds.

Will I notice a big difference in being able to play the discs at the higher quality settings such as PCM and master audio?

Regards Jon

 

[ashcorn]

Yes, the HD audio is a big step in the right direction.

 

[stuart123]

It is better than your bog standard Dolby Digital. Not by as big a margin as you might think.

I run my PS3 through my Onkyo 875 now, as I upgraded from my Arcam avr250 and there is not a huge differance between TrueHd and DD. DTS HD Master Audio on the other hand is a different matter, amazing!

 

[Davo2008]

Theoretically TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio should be 100% identical...... shouldn't they??

 

[Anonymous]

Like with most things:

VHS to DVD

DVD to Bluray

Standard def TV to HD TV

New girlfriend to wife

there is an improvement but within 2 days you will be used to it. The novelty soon wears off.

You need to decide whether its worth paying for.

 

[Anonymous]

heystak:Like with most things:VHS to DVDDVD to BlurayStandard def TV to HD TVNew girlfriend to wifethere is an improvement but within 2 days you will be used to it. The novelty soon wears off.You need to decide whether its worth paying for.

But would you go back? I wouldn't. No way. It's worth it. ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Long time reader of forum, first time posting.

At the risk of starting a flame war... heres my opinion.

I recently upgraded from a Yamaha 5.1 6040 (I think), to a Yamaha AX863, after much setting up and confirming PCM and Bitstream etc i have to say i was underwhelmed, i find it difficult to tell the difference between my old 5.1 and TrueHD, maybe its my setup? But then i sat down one night last week and put on Transformers Blu-ray within 30 minutes i was totally engrossed, which i hadnt been previously so i have put that down to the sound quality.

Overall i am happy with the upgrade, I have less cables hooking it all up, less remotes, the HiFi sound is much better but would i do it again? Not sure, if i had an older 5.1 or i didnt have 5.1 i would definately recomend it.

But all just my opinion.

 

[Anonymous]

I cannot go back to standard lossy Dolby Digital and DTS, now that I have experienced Blu-ray and the lossless HD audio codecs.

Having a good standalone Blu-ray Disc Player bit-streaming the HD audio codecs to a suitable HD-compatible A/V Receiver will result in a significant improvement over SD DVD with its lossy audio sound-tracks.

 

[Anonymous]

I should have said, i am considering a dedicated Blu-Ray player, rather than the PS3 in the hope it will improve it again, but thats just part of the upgrade cycle / bug. But i cant find a suitable rack to hold everything i have now!

 

[Anonymous]

Davo2008:Theoretically TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio should be 100% identical...... shouldn't they??

Yes, they should. They're both supposed to be lossless bit for bit copies of the original digital master.ÿ

 

[Gerrardasnails]

ashcorn:Yes, the HD audio is a big step in the right direction.

I agree wholeheartedly but then again Ashcorn and I have very very similar set ups! I find the difference very obvious. HD audio gives you so much detail - not just in a loud way - you can listen at lower levels and pick out much more - dialogue is much better too.

 

[Anonymous]

heystak:Like with most things:

New girlfriend to wife

Ehh, it's the other way around!

 

[Sliced Bread]

beaverme:
Davo2008:Theoretically TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio should be 100% identical...... shouldn't they??

Yes, they should. They're both supposed to be lossless bit for bit copies of the original digital master.ÿ

Well...
TrueHD = Max of 18 Mbps
DTS HD Master Audio = Max of 24.5 Mbps
How audible the difference between these two is I am not too sure.