Amp options

[destorius]

Hi All

First post so please be kind!

I am in the market for a budget AV reciever to go with the following kit I have purchased:

Panasonic 50VT30
Monitor Audio Radius HD One
Monitor Audio Radius R45 rears

I have a Sky HD, PS3 and laptop to connect via HDMI. I like the idea of having Airplay so have looked at the Denon AVR-1912 but it is too large (depth can't be more than 35cm). The budget would be an asolute max of £350 - i am happy having new or second hand.

The room is pretty small ( 14X10ft) and is in a conversion flat (top floor) so it wont be on *too* loud.

Advise needed! Also any ideas on a Sub? I guess it would need to be front firing due to me being in a flat.

Thanks!

James

 

[BlueWizard]

Though it will probably seem like I am rambling, let me tell you a tale that might help lend some perspective.

This is my system as it previous was -

Notice I am limited in the size for the TV I can have because of my equipment stand. I consider every possible way to move things around to accommodate a larger TV, and it simply wouldn't work as long as I had that stand. I was not eager to get rid of the stand because it was quite expensive Heirloom Quality Oak.

Then after a long time it hit me, the problem is the stand, so get rid of the stand. I allowed my attachment to that stand to cloud my judgement in upgrading my system. Once I let go of the attachment, the solution was simple.

This is my system now -

The new stand cost me a modest £100. I added the wooden strips across the front of the shelves to break up the interminable blackness of it.

You say you're not able to have the Demon 1912 as it is too deep. By setting that limit, by buying an amp based on a dimension rather than performance, you are limiting yourself in all the wrong ways.

Find a way to make it work. To simply by a small amp because it is small, I fear, is not going to satisfy you. In a year or so, you will be back doing this all over again, and spending far more money than if you had done it right in the first place.

I've probably not been very helpful, but make sure you are making the right decisions for the right reasons. Getting it wrong is going to be expensive.

For what it is worth.

Steve/bluewizard

 

[bow79]

yes I agree with the last post I find their comments psychologically and philosophically appropriate. Remember an amp can effectively go anywhere and then just lead the wires to wherever they need to go.

 

[DodgeTheViper]

Steve,

I personally think that your post is very helpful to the query posed. To limit one self to one seemingly small problem, without recognising all the other factors can lead to a wrong decision as you have rightly said.

Think ahead of the smaller problem in front of you, to the larger picture that you want to achieve.

I hope your post helps the OP

 

[destorius]

Hi all, thanks for your comments. I completely agree with the principle but I have had made a custom built in cupboard for the AV equipment. The denon seems much "deeper" than others- 38 cm instead of 32 cm for the Sony Dht820 etc. max depth in the cupboard is 43 cm but I am aware I need space at the back to vent (plenty of space above).

 

[dante01]

Hi all, thanks for your comments. I completely agree with the principle but I have had made a custom built in cupboard for the AV equipment. The denon seems much "deeper" than others- 38 cm instead of 32 cm for the Sony Dht820 etc. max depth in the cupboard is 43 cm but I am aware I need space at the back to vent (plenty of space above).

The back of an AV amp seldom needs as much space as above or to its sides. The rear is densely populated by inputs and outputs and cannot facilitate vents. The only exception to this is with AV amp that include an inbuilt fan, but this isn't the case with the Denon. 5cm is tight though and you may have difficulty seating thicker/stiffer cables that would protrude out further when plugged into the amp.

 

[BlueWizard]

I think the solution is still down to ingenuity and creativity.

You've decided that the amp has to sit here, but does it have to sit there?

If the cabinet has doors, does it need to have doors?

I had an amp that was tight in the available space. So, I simply moved it forward so the FEET were flush with the front of the shelf. That gave me the room I needed. Yes, the front of the amp hung slightly over the front edge of the shelf. But it never cause a problem, and I quickly became used to it.

Plus it is not simply a matter of getting a amp to fit into the space. The space has to be adequate not only to fit the amp, but to accommodate the function of the amp. If this is a closed cabinet with no source of ventilation, then likely, if you find an amp to fit, you are still going to have problems.

Again, I'm not there, I can't see what needs to be seen. I don't know what compromises, accommodations, or modification you are willing to make.

But, I assure you innovation is the key.

Steve/bluewizard