sony str db830 qs

[admin_exported]

hi im new to all this so please be gentle with me, now ive been offered a sony str db 830qs for 20 pound is this a good offer and is this amp actually any good and what would i compare this to in todays market. any information would be so greatly appreciated

 

[grdunn123]

I think that the fact that you'v been offered it for £20 should tell you all you need to know about how good this is.....I'd probably get a KFC Deluxe Boneless Box instead for the money! Far more enjoyable....

I don't know who's offered it to you and whether it works.

 

[Anonymous]

hi it has been won on e bay by myself by a good seller who says the rear surround channel is a bit iffy but apart from that is in full working order and is in very good nick. do you know if this amp was any good in its day

 

[simonlewis]

How many HDMI sockets does it have????

 

[grdunn123]

I think it was a budget receiver and if all you want is a starter amp for 5.1 surround sound then it'll do what you want. Couldn't really find much info on but I think it's a good few years old.

 

[Anonymous]

it doesnt but im just starting my first home cinema atempt so not to worried about hd sound

 

[grdunn123]

slewis:How many HDMI sockets does it have????

I think it's pre HDMI

 

[grdunn123]

You've got a great Blu Ray player and Sky HD + I suspect your tv is pretty current too...worth spending a few quid on the speakers though..

 

[markyd]

Ignore the cynics out there perrydave.

I have just upgraded from a 10 year old Sony str-db930 which has done me well all that time. In fact I am selling my mint old amp still with original box and was hoping to get about £50 for it. For that money it is a bargain. The 930 cost me £500 and was a well respected What Hi-fi 5-star receiver at the time. Build quality is top notch (put's many current amps to shame) and sound quality isn't too shabby either.

I think the 830 spec is pretty similar to the 930, so although no HDMI (of course) you get 3 optical inputs, all able to decode DTS and Dolby digital as well as a half decent prologic II for stereo inputs which are all still relevant. Due to the lack of multichannel outs on your sony blu-ray you will be limited to SD-surround audio over optical, but it will still be perfectly adequate until you are ready to spend considerably more. I would say at least £300 to get any significant audible improvement. Do stick to the optical inputs for best sound quality though.

Stylewise, the Sony QS is tasteful and has aged very well - probably due to its minimalist design.

Shame about the surround problem, but I think it will be very hard for you to be disapointed.

Good for you

 

[Andrew Everard]

Agreed with markyd: within the limits of its age, it's nice-sounding amp, and I have friends running one quite happily with a set of those tiny Mordaunt-Short speakers from a few years back, but not sure whether it'd be worth having one with non-functional rear channels. Kinda defeats the purpose, doesn't it?