£700-ish system replacement.

Gawaine · 23-10-2007, 12:55 AM

To replace my unsatisfactory Sony DAVS880 5.1. When I bought it I was led to believe in reviews it was the bee's knees. Well, it looks it. Lots of solid, brushed aluminium and a lovely feel to the controls, but it won't play longer than two hours at a time before it overheats (a problem I found was not just mine) and the surround effect wasn't very, regardless of how I adjusted the thing.

So, a replacement please. I'll only run it through a 32" Sony Wega CRT for the foreseeable future, but I'd like any system to last longer than the five years I've tolerated the Sony.

I want DVD (of course!), radio and amp so I can feed the telly through it with Sky+ and it should include speakers.

Suggestions please.

Gawaine · 24-10-2007, 8:40 PM

No? Is there no easy answer to this one?
Should I change my budget if possible or go for separate? I have no idea where to look.

**RottenFox** · 24-10-2007, 9:47 PM

thing is,you have a multitude of brands to pick from,like sony,samsung,panasonic,LG,etc.
they all have good systems,some better than others.

cant you get the one you have repaired under warranty?

Gawaine · 25-10-2007, 12:03 AM

No, it's five years old. I asked Sony if I could just have the main unit replaced (I'd buy, obviously) with a newer model but they said no: the don't fit the fancy plugs on the speakers, so I have to ditch the speakers as well and get a whole new system.

stuman · 25-10-2007, 7:05 PM

i would honestly say go and try out a bose system at £700 you can get thier entry level system which is damn impressive for 2.1 (uses reflective tech to bounce sound to mimic rear speakers) and it also provides you with every thing you asked for.

Gawaine · 25-10-2007, 9:18 PM

Interesting: I'll have a look.

Falp · 11-11-2007, 9:40 AM

NAD L53 or L54

Only needs too speakers, or 2.1, much better and cheaper than that.

Gawaine · 11-11-2007, 11:53 PM

All the reviews I've read on the Bose have said it's really not very good and well over-priced (I may have missed the good reviews!). Will have to look at the NAD.

stuman · 12-11-2007, 12:52 AM

bose generaly get bad reviews and on the top end models i would have to agree but for £700 its a very good system. there isnt very much at the price point that hit all the buttons. they are due for a refresh tho. i mean no upscaling and no dab?? it looks pretty naf aswell. lol.

Falp · 12-11-2007, 8:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gawaine

All the reviews I've read on the Bose have said it's really not very good and well over-priced (I may have missed the good reviews!). Will have to look at the NAD.

You know B.O.S.E. stands for Buy Other **** Elsewhere...

Google for the NAD L53 reviews... the L54 adds Divx and better video decoders.

Add a pair of good standmount speakers like QAcoustis 1020, Kef iQ1, MA BR2...

Or a pair of MA Radius 90 + a Sub like the BK Gemini!

davepuma · 12-11-2007, 9:13 AM

For £700(ish) I would be looking at separates as you get more flexibility and better sq. Have a look at packages based around the Onkyo 605 as it is pretty much future proof and has a lot of features for the £. See here. There are obviously cheaper amps around but if intend going hd some time in the future and want to take advantage of hd audio, you need to look at the Onkyo or say Sony 910 as a minimum.

stuart31 · 12-11-2007, 11:40 AM

denon S301 or even the KEF KIT 100 both can be found very cheap now....much better than the bose...