Page 1 of Packard Bell 5.1 + Wharfdale750 - Decoder needed? Tech Help!!!

I am tempted to buy the Packard Bell 5.1 Home Theatre system as discussed in the Bargain Bucket forum.

I know that I need a decoder (which the Wharfdake 750 doesn`t have) I am planning to buy a separate amp Kenwood KRFV5050 or similar.

The Packard Bell has amplification in the sub - therefore my question is - if I connect the dvd to the packarb bell via another amp ( to do the decoding) will I have problems, as I will have two amps connected to each other. Does that make sense?

Please help as the packard bell seems like a good deal at £60 - but if it doesn`t work it would be a waste.

Thanks
Dominic

This item was edited on Wednesday, 30th January 2002, 13:38

You`d really need an amp that can send out the decoded signals without amplifying them, ie has pre-outs as well as speaker outlets, otherwise you`re headed for trouble. I don`t know if the Kenwood does that. But after looking at Westy`s review over on area450.com I think not.

Dave

This item was edited on Wednesday, 30th January 2002, 14:58

Hi peeps,

You`d be wasting your time with the Kenny 5050-i thought it sounded pretty lame, and partnering it with £60 speakers will not do the sound any favours! Plus you`d be buying a dvd with decoder, to send to another decoder (some serious digital to analogue conversion being passed on here folks!), then onto another stage of amplification-somewhere along the line you`d be losing some sonic purity as the dd/dts signal is being passed through two sources. Ditch the 5050 idea and get a Cyberhome ald528 from Richer sounds. It`s £100 and has a built in 6channel decoder, plus is multi region. You can then keep your Wharfey 750 as a second player or sell it on ebay and make yourself some money to buy some dvd`s! Honestly, i don`t recommend going the Kenwood route, you`d be spending more money than you need to. You won`t go far wrong with what i`ve just described.

Westy

Thanks for the advice Dave & Westy. I`ve read your review of the Kenwood and take what you`ve said on board.

My problem is that I see myself trying to make the next step up in Home Cinema - all be it on a small budget! I`ve had the 750 for 18months and now would like to upgrade to surround sound. I don`t have a huge space both in my room and in the TV cabinet. I was looking at the Sony HTK215 but then saw I could get a separates system for about the same price £300 and thought this would be better. I was looking at the Kenwood as metioned or the Sherwood RDV6095RDS and something like the Eltax Hollywood (perhaps too big for my space) or Limit HT5.1.

I like your suggestion of the Cyberhome ald528 (save space) & twinning it with the Packard Bell would save money. It would cost me less than I paid for my 750.

But is it a step up or sideways?

Comments appreciated.

Dom

This item was edited on Wednesday, 30th January 2002, 17:17