Spec me an Amp...

Joebob · 4 Jun 2013 at 11:09

I looking for an amp to hook up my, faithful old, bose acoustimass speakers to my PS3 and Raspberry Pi (Xmbc) so need it to have a few basic specifications.

At least 2 x HDMI in and 1 x HDMI out (sound and video).
I guess I could do without the HDMI and just connect them both via phono, but I want some half decent sound quality and the ability to use a remote to switch devices.

Can handle a pair of 5 ohms speakers - only need it to be stereo but if it takes more speakers then that's a bonus!

I have roughly £100 to spend, I know I may be looking for pre-owned at this price point.

Any help or recomendations very much appreciated.

Thanks,

iamtheoneneo · 4 Jun 2013 at 15:30

you want an av receiver , NOT an amp.
but for £100 good luck with that.

monkeyspank · 4 Jun 2013 at 15:40

richersounds have a denon for 100 ... don't know for sure about the 5 ohm speakers so check that, think it should be fine

Joebob · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:46

iamtheoneneo said:
you want an av receiver , NOT an amp.
but for £100 good luck with that.

Well I won a Denon AV 1909 on eBay for £100 (inc delivery!), but it's not working properly with my speakers!!!

monkeyspank said:
richersounds have a denon for 100 ... don't know for sure about the 5 ohm speakers so check that, think it should be fine

Thanks, I will check that out.

Jano · 5 Jun 2013 at 15:03

What do you mean by it's not working properly with your speakers?

iamtheoneneo · 5 Jun 2013 at 15:05

Joebob said:
Well I won a Denon AV 1909 on eBay for £100 (inc delivery!), but it's not working properly with my speakers!!!

.

yeh and thats an av receiver.
The two things are completely different - need to make sure you get your terminology right or your end up with the wrong item no matter the cost.

Joebob · 6 Jun 2013 at 13:04

Jano said:
What do you mean by it's not working properly with your speakers?

The unit keeps powering off and the power button flashes red. In the manual it says it will auto power down if speakers with the incorrect impedance are fitted.

iamtheoneneo said:
yeh and thats an av receiver.
The two things are completely different - need to make sure you get your terminology right or your end up with the wrong item no matter the cost.

Ok, point taken. If I could alter the thread to title to "Spec me an AV receiver" then I would!

lucid · 6 Jun 2013 at 16:01

The Bose speakers aren't an easy load, but I'm surprised that the amp is shutting down when driving them.

About a year ago I upgraded a customer's 10 year old projector & amp system to go HD Sky and Blu-ray. The speakers there were Bose Acoustimas 10 or similar; a 5.1 system with dual-cube satellites. The sub is passive and the satellites are fed via the sub. Apologies about the quality. These are phone photos in subdued lighting...

The point is that the Marantz (SR6005) was quite happy to drive the Bose to pretty healthy volume levels. So before looking for another amp I think I'd be tempted to check over the wiring and also try to isolate if one of the cubes or the bass module is causing a problem. It's also possible that the 1909 is faulty.