I just want a stereo setup for my Blu-ray, please!

[admin_exported]

Ladies & Gents,

What happened to the days when we were happy with stereo? Why the need for 36.12 multi-channel setups? Am I easily pleased? I'm kidding obviously.

My space is small. I cannot afford to have a multi-channel setup due to this. So I need to be very specific. I have a Sony BDP-S370 Blu-ray player which is going through a dated Sony Micro HiFi system (please don't jeer at me for even thinking about buying a Micro HiFi system). If any of you can please help me with the following questions, that'd be great:-

1. I'm aware that this is a compromise, I won't get a great sound out of it, and I'll be under-utilising the audio capabilities of the Blu-ray format. But is it possible to have a solid 7/10 kinda sound out of a stereo setup?

2. (I'll assume someone will answer 'Yes' to the above). So how do I do it? Connect the BDP-S370 to an integrated amp? Or do I have to go the AV Receiver route? Can't I just connect it to something like a NAD C326BEE then connect that to say Mordaunt-Short MS902i bookshelves, or something? Any recommendations that are considered 'classic'?

3. Can I achieve any proposed setup for less than, maybe say GBP400?

And as I'm more into drama and indie movies and not action packed, exploding spaceships-type movies, I have less need to be satisfied by the home-cinema audio experience. As long as it's crisp, clear... And can play music as well, I'm good to go.

I appreciate any response, and look forward to your wisdom. Again, I'm pretty sure that some will recommend to go the full 7.2 channel route with matching AV Receivers etc, but this is absolutely not an option for me at the moment.

Thanks!

 

[Jammoe]

You absolutely can. You'll need analogue outputs on your blu ray player or your tv (or an amp with a digital input), but's it's perfectly doable.

Currently do the same in a room upstairs. Sony S370 into TV via HDMI, then run stereo analogue outs into a Denon integrated amp into a pair of Dynaudios. Sounds absolutely fine for a non-home-cinema system.

What exactly are you looking for with your £400? Amp and speakers? Or cables, stand, etc. too?

 

[AL13N]

Currently do the same in a room upstairs. Sony S370 into TV via HDMI, then run stereo analogue outs into a Denon integrated amp into a pair of Dynaudios. Sounds absolutely fine for a non-home-cinema system.

Great advice. If you want to simplify things further then connect the analogue output of the TV to a pair of active speakers.

Make sure the audio output setting on the TV is set to variable in order to control the volume with the TV remote control.

There's also the Q Acoustics Q-TV2 which will give you a 2.1 setup that's completely hidden behind the TV. It has both analogue and optical digital inputs.

Good Luck

 

[professorhat]

I would recommend a different approach to this since you mention you'd like it play music as well. Go and audition a stereo setup using whichever music source you want e.g. a CD player, or an iPod etc. and decide on a system that works well for your musical tastes. This system will work just fine to run your home cinema setup as well. As others have noted, just run a pair of good quality phono interconnects from your Sony S370 into whichever stereo amp you choose.

 

[chebby]

The system in my signature (below) tells you my 'solution' to a system requirement for neatness, cableless-ness, compactness, connectivity (optical digital for sound from BDP-S370) and all my radio and CD requirements as well. (Does a fantastic job with iThings too.)

Substitute my choice of speakers- no longer available alas - for something like Monitor Audio RX1/RX2 (or BX1/BX2 if funds are a bit tight).

Some dealers do nice 'package deals'.

[Edit] I just noticed your £400 budget. I would still suggest saving up a little longer and trying for the M-CR603, otherwise there is the excellent Denon DM38DAB system which will easily fit your budget for well under £400 (with upgraded speakers).