I am about to get a home cinema system. I already have a JVC dvd player but most of the systems I've seen have the decoder and amp set in a dvd player. Anyone know the the good or bad about a seperate amp compared to an all on one system?

Well, as the nice man at Richer Sounds will be happy to explain. In a test between comparatively priced separates and an integral system, the separates win hands down on sound quality every time. I must say I agree with this having flogged hi-fi’s for a living (long ago in a galaxy far away).

I’m running a Kenwood V5030D amp ( a bit long in the tooth now, but still impressive), 2 Kenwood 12” hi-fi ported speakers as left and right fronts (does away with the need for a sub woofer), A Yamaha centre speaker and a pair of Ariston metals for the rear. The sound quality is well impressive. I’ve heard all in systems and they just can’t compete, especially if you want to do more than play filums….(There’s music as well). Plus, if a speaker bums out, you can just wire in a replacement. Also you get to choose your own interconnect cables. Go for the thickest you can. Watch that sound quality burst through, frighten local waterfowl.

Ah sod it, enough waxing lyrical.

Go the separates route.

Ogre

I'll chew that over then Ogre, am I right in thinking there is a Richer Sounds in Cardiff?

Yup. Try www.richersounds.co.uk for their location. You should be able to ring and arrange a demo of anything that interests you. Don't forget to tell em your a Richer Virgin and claim your free gift.

Ogre

PS, Just looked at their site, take a look at that Yamaha Intro amp. They even have an Ariston Centre Speaker for a tenner......drool

Their prices sound reasonable, which is what I like!

Yup.

I've used them a few times and had good prices and service off them.

Trouble is you now have me itching to upgrade my DVD..

Ogre

I'm sorry

S'all right. Can't afford it anyway..

Just have to make do

Ogre

Life can be so unfair Never mind

Re-wired our system this weekend.... Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling as the opening to Armageddon came on and the sound of the pieces of title whizzing past my head made me duck.... sigh..........

Ogre 5:1

Ogre

Funnily enough I put on Armageddon to put my new surroundsound system through it paces. Bloody excellent. I have a problem with the dvd player though........... Around 3 in 10 discs stick and jump when they pass the 30 min mark. No they are not dirty and they play ok on my other dvd player. I will have to send the player back for replacement I think. Any ideas as to what is happenning?
I guess that maybe the laser is not calibrated properly and is thrown off by slight imperfections in some discs......... just a theory.

I'd not like to say and steer you wrong.

The problems we have with ours is the firmwear needs upgrading. But sadly it seems easier and less hastle to replace the unit than to upgrade.

Ogre

The dvd player is part of the new surround sound system so it'll be going back next week