Page 1 of Changing my AV Amp

My old Sherwood Dolby Pro Logic AV amp is on it`s last legs, and I`m going to replace it with something more up to date.

My set up currently is for Dolby Pro Logic-that is front right, front left, centre and rear (2 speakers, but Dolby pro logic only sends out a mono signal for the rears). The speakers are fine, so I`m not replacing them, but in the 5:1 set up, Do I need to add a subwoofer?

Not looking to break the bank on this purchase, and I`m pretty much set between the Pioneer VSXC100 or the Sony STRDE495 .. both have a similar feature set, but I like the idea of the Pioneers smaller dimensions.

If I went for something other than either of these two, how importan would you reckon it is to have both Dolby Digital AND DTS on the same amp..also I notice some have `Pro Logic 2` on as well..what is this, and what use would it be over and above DTS or Dolby Digital?

This item was edited on Wednesday, 5th May 2004, 02:00

OK, a bit surprised about the lack of response to my original post-I went ahead anfd bought the Pioneer amp...I`m generally pleased with it..easy enough to set up and it works well, though it seems there is no treble and bass controls!! I find this incredible on an amplifier..It has `modes`, but had I known in advance that it didn`t have these controls, I might have looked elsewhere.

If you can I would exchange the Pioneer and get the Sony instead - Richers are currently doing a good deal on STR495s at present. If your budget can stretch to it, I would check out the Yamaha range!

This thraed may be of some interest.
Pete

I was looking at the Sony, but size is an issue here...it simply wouldn`t fit in the space I have for my amp.

I`m quite happy with the Pioneer one, just surprised about the lack of treble and bass controls, you get them on the cheapest amps!!!

And thanks for that link, Pete..I`d seen that thread, but the Eltax would have had the same problems as the Sony for me.

This item was edited on Monday, 10th May 2004, 14:43

I`ve went through 4 a/v amps now.The first one was daewoo then a kenwood then on to a pioneer and now a yamaha one.
I can only say that the pioneer was very light on bass and had to use the loudness mode a lot.
My brother in law has a sony and sounds really good ,so does my yamaha in dd and dts but not great with music in stereo.
I would go for a sony or yamaha if u want good surround sound.