Sound System for LED TV?

[bungle45]

We are about to purchase a Sony Bravia KDL32EX703U LED TV and are unsure what sound system to pursue.
The Sony salesman said that sound from the flat screens is poor, however he also said the surround systems sold for TV's would not really do our CDs and music justice.
We would prefer ONE system for our music and TV but don't want to compromise on sound quality for either. Obviously we want to minimise visible cables.
We already have some decent Gale speakers and a NAD 302 amp.
It would be great if anyone can shed some light on this for us and give us a solution / recomendation
Thanks in advance
Joanne

 

[matthewpiano]

Actually I have a feeling the EX703 is one of the sets on which Sony have taken the ridiculous decision to remove the analogue audio outputs so until I can check I have deleted my answer and would refer you to Andrew's suggestion..

 

[Andrew Everard]

Do you want surround sound or just stereo? And what other components do you want to connect to the TV? Sky? Blu-ray player?

If you just want to watch the TV and are happy to stick with stereo, you could connect the audio out of the TV to your existing amplifier via conventional analogue stereo cables, or use the digital audio out via a digital to analogue converter such as the Beresford Caiman or Cambridge Audio Dacmagic.

If you want to view other sources through the TV and/or you want surround sound, things get a little more complicated...

 

[simonlewis]

A sound bar sounds like the best bet, check out the latest WHFS&V mag, yamaha YHT-S400 came out on top at £400.

 

[bluebrazil]

i dont think a soundbars the best bet for music

 

[Anonymous]

If you want a stereo or 2.1 system what about active speakers to take advantage of the digital output. In next months mag there will be a group test,they might be worth checking out we use Avi's 9.1's and are really impressed with them.

 

[bay24]

Nick21:If you want a stereo or 2.1 system what about active speakers to take advantage of the digital output. In next months mag there will be a group test,they might be worth checking out we use Avi's 9.1's and are really impressed with them.
or the avi neutron v 2.1 system as it has more inputs? Depends on how huch you want to spend and what your priorities are ie stereo or surround, music or movies?

 

[bungle45]

to matthew Piano'

I think you might be right - could you confirm for me? If that's the case then i won't be able to plug in my amp anyway will I? Will a TV sound system be the only answer then?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Not quite sure who you're responding to or what you're asking...

 

[bungle45]

Thanks for getting back so quick

We'd like good stereo really, surround is a bonus if that's the only option- another post states that the Sony Bravia EX703 model has no analogue connectors anyway. Is this true? If so we'd have to use the converter you suggest, yes?

To answer your first question we'd like to connect a DVD or BluRay, Sky+HD box and the sound to our TV, whether that be a TV sound system or our amp and speakers.

We have been recommended a Sony BDV F500 - this i believe also plays iPod as well as BluRay/DvD but could we play CDs thrugh this player?

Minefield!

Cheers

Pete

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, the Sony system will play CDs as well: any player or system able to play DVDs or Blu-rays will also play CDs - it's part of the specification.

However, if you only want stereo it's perfectly possible to connect all of the sources you mention - BD/DVD, Sky+HD and the TV - to your existing stereo amplifier: all these sources have standard stereo analogue outputs, and will just connect into any line input, such as CD, tuner, aux or tape, on your amplifier.

Re the Sony TV outputs, I don't have a set to hand to check, but Sony's online specifications say only that it has digital audio output - mind you, it also says it has 5.1-channel analogue outs, so may not be totally accurate - while the manual says it has stereo analogue outs. Very confusing: if it only has digital audio out, then yes you will need an external digital-to-analogue converter to plug it into your amp.

From the 3D view on the Sony site it appears to have analogue audio outputs on the main terminal panel, but I am sure either the shop supplying the TV or one of our regular Sony shop staff contributors will be able to confirm this.

 

[matthewpiano]

The EX703 DOES have analogue audio outputs which can be used as either a fixed level or variable level output. This means you can connect it to your existing NAD amplifier.

It is the NX series sets that don't have analogue audio outputs on them.

Regarding the 5.1 outputs, the Sony sets can now pass through a full 5.1 Dolby Digital signal and output it through either the optical digital output or via the Audio Return Channel on HDMI. Obviously, with a stereo amp this will not be of any consequence.

For what its worth I agree that the Home Theatre In A Box won't do your music justice and I think starting with your NAD amp and the Gale speakers would give you the best outcome for now.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Thanks for the clarification, mp - looks like Sony needs to get its act in gear regarding the accuracy of the online specs given for its products, as some of the errors may be a deal-breaker for some users...

 

[matthewpiano]

Andrew Everard:Thanks for the clarification, mp - looks like Sony needs to get its act in gear regarding the accuracy of the online specs given for its products, as some of the errors may be a deal-breaker for some users...

Completely agree with that Andrew. My head is getting sore from banging it against the brick wall...