Which amp/ pre-amp???

[admin_exported]

Hi, everyone! I need an amplifier (and pre-amp???) and don't know where to start... It's to complete a sound system for a TV and it would be fantastic to get expert views, please!!

The needs - something to amplify the sound from a Sony 55inch X series TV. Most viewing - Freesat, so not a stunning source.

The current problem - the TV's normal sound lacks crispness and definition; voices are difficult to understand (they boom) at one end of the scale, and when I increase the treble, its sounds "tinny"

The room - 7m x 6m conservatory (brick on two walls, with low walls and glass on the other two) and a vaulted wooden ceiling (5m high); tiled floor, so a bit - but certainly not excessively - "boomy"

The limitations - I would not like surround sound, due to practicalities with wires all over the place, so just need something driving two speakers at the front

The existing components - I have an excellent pair of Musical Fidelity speakers from a hi fi system of old. They were state of the art in their time

I basically need (I think) something which is not totally top end (I don't use blu ray or a DVD player, so an out and out fantastic system would be wasted) but will fill a large room, and have good control over treble and bass (the previous hi fi system to which the speakers were connected - Meridian 602 and 603, plus 2 Musical Fidelity 50W amps (which got hugely hot, so impractical for day to day TV use - also very old now) - had no treble / bass) and a remote control.

In summary, I am looking for "crisp" sound which carries, rather than gut-wrenching bass for TV movies.

Does someone have any suggestions? Baffled at the moment.

Thanks in anticipation!!!

 

[jockey.wilson]

Does your TV have a digital output?

If so, consider an amp with a DAC on board such as Cyrus 8 XPd...

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks and I believe it does - checking tonight - that's a great start, and around the price band I had in mind! I am on the case on the web now...

 

[jockey.wilson]

The Cyrus will certainly give you the crisp sound you are looking for as well as plenty of control for your speakers. It is surprisingly powerful for a shoebox!

If your TV doesn't have the digital out, the Cyrus 8 XP may well suit (no DAC) or even the less expensive, but less powerful 6 XP...

Other British makes to consider; Naim (Supernait with a DAC), Roksan 'Kandy', Myryad 'Mi', etc etc.

You need to decide your budget and then go from there really, but from your previous kit I suspect that a 'british' musical sound is what you are after?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks - and yes, a British sound is for me and thanks for all this - v. valuable! Unsure about the budget, though - this is one of my greatest dilemmas. It's going to be a balance between getting as much as possible to make the most of the TV (with clear voices at normal talking levels, and great music)without wasting money on an amp which is going to be over-specced for use on a telly, albeit quite a good one. I have been spoiled with a combination of Meridian CD and pre-amp and Musical Fidelity main amps and speakers, but the amps are impractical for everyday use attached to the TV (no control over treble and base - I know many people say you shouldn't need this, but I do; also, the main Musical Fidelity amplifiers heat up hugely - one burst into smoke)- and hence my hunt for a modern combined preamp and amp, which join - and match - the TV and the Musical Fidelity MC4 speakers (200W capacity, 6 ohms).

 

[Anonymous]

..and so the balance is key - just how far to go before the combined pre-amp and amp are clearly too good for the TV?