Page 1 of Yamaha HTiB-45

Just wanted to know what everyone anyone thought about this yamaha.

Info greatly appreciated

Notice you`re considering it over a vs10. The HTiB45 is the successor to the well rated HTiB40, and is basically two bits of kit in one box.
Looking on the Yamaha site - http://www.yamaha-audio.co.uk/homecinema/htib/htib-45/ - it shows the amp as model 5540 - must admit, I had thought it would be the V430RDS. May well be under a different name - difficult to tell from the specs shown.

the x30 range of Yamaha amps have only just started to trickle out, and reviews are a bit thin on the ground, but word is generally good.

Anyway, this would certainly be a step up from the VS10 - you may be able to get better value elsewhere by buying a Yammy 430 and a set of speakers (the NSP220s used in the HTiB sell for around £130 if you look around). Apart from anything else, you`ll get prologic 2 decoding (near 5.1 for stereo sources such as TV and video).

I see that qed-uk are selling the HTiB45 for £340 - http://www.qed-uk.com/?i=xY8YY0MS4UA3&bg=225&bp=b45s&v=8

Also the 430 for £230 http://www.qed-uk.com/?i=xY8YY0MS4UA3&bg=212&bp=430b&v=8
You could look at a speaker pack from Richer Sounds as an alternative to the NSP220s. They do some starting at just over the £100 mark.

Thanks for the reply Richard, yes i was originally looking at the VS10 and im sure its very good but im fickle and would no doubt want to upgrade soon after getting one, so i thought id go for something a little better, and the prologic 2 appealed. But you think its a better idea to go for an amp and better speakers Correct? Your advice would be appreciated im probably going to pay about £400 total, so what do you think? I might beable to get it all a bit cheaper as my dad knows someone at Yamaha and Julian Richer. Was hoping to by tommorrow so recconmendations please.

Thx

Yes, I`d go for better speakers - particularly if you`re fickle, I don`t think the NSP220s would satisfy for long. Saw a post elsewhere (now who`s fickle!) from someone who had bought the HTiB40, and while they loved the amp, they had upgraded the fronts and centre of the speakers already.
So, assuming you get the 430 for £230, you have £170 or so for speakers. A bit tight, and it also depends whether you need to have "discrete" speakers. Your money would be better spent on "normal" sized speakers with no sub, then save up a bit for a sub after.

In that price range, you`re really tied down to some of Richer Sounds` Eltax or Gale packages - I think the Missions are slightly out of reach, though if Julian can dig something out for you.... One thing, it`s unlikely you`ll be able to include a sub, unless you go for one of the Eltax sub/satellite type packages, but I`m not convinced by these. Better to save up for something a bit decent that have a £40 nasty flapping around on the end of your lovely amp.
Not sure that`s been a great help, but hope so! Alternatively, you could concentrate the funds on the 3 front channels, maybe using some old speakers for rears, then save up for a pair of Mission M77DS surround speakers - best £99 you`ll spend. I`ll be on line through the day, so shout if you want any more suggestions!

I`ve seen that www.leconcepts.com have the 430 for £200. I`m debating between that and the 530 which gains S-Video and component switching for an extra £50. I know it`s not ideal to put video through the amp, but something has to be switched somewhere and the DVD would go direct to an RGB on the TV.

The Eltax Atomic speakers for £270 look nice. Are they any good?

I can`t buy anything for a few months yet due to building a house. I`m hoping there will be more bargains by then.

Steve

Once again Richard thanks for the advice. I think ill probaby just get the amp (but now not sure wether to go for that model) and get the speakers seperatly. Bearing in mind that ive just moved into a nice new flat so i think massive speakers would be overkill. What are the benefits of S-Video and component switching?

Thx
Geezer

Having S-Video and component switching on the amp means you can send the better quality signals through it rather than basic composite. If you have enough SCART sockets then plug everything directly into the TV, but if like me you have more devices then you will need some sort of switch and having the amp do it when you select that device just seems to be a handy solution.

I currently have a bodged setup with a cable box going via the VCR to a simple switch box that also takes the direct cable output and an S-Video from a PC. It`s a mess and I`d like to get an amp that tidies it up and makes it family friendly. An extra £50 seems a bit steep just for that, but apart from that I can`t see any difference between the 430 and 530.

Steve