Upgrading A/V On A Budget - What should i look for?

[DampCat]

So i dont have a ton to spend because I'm moving house and replacing my car in the next few months so i'm just trying to find out the best way to upgrade my A/V set up.

At the moment i'm using these that I cobbled together second hand for real cheap:

Sony STR-DG820 Receiver
Eltax Symphony 1145 Centre
Tangent Avantgarde 200 Floorstanders.

I definitely want to replace the amp, as I've lost the remote for this one in house moves and it's £65 for a new one. That means i cant adjust basically any of the settings on it, and the sound is all gone to pot. (music too loud, voices too low).

So, I assume the floorstanders are awful. The centre seems ok. I dont care if they don't match as a set. What's my best route on a budget to upgrade this system? (i'll probably need rears too!)

 

[DampCat]

Oh ok cool. I wasn't totally aware that the 820 was still solid. 3D isn't really necessary. i mean I have a 3D TV but meh.

Am i losing any performance by only rocking Front and Centre?

 

[DampCat]

I know nothing about sound, so i was wondering if the fronts and centre are working harder to accomadate the sound that would otherwise be pushed through the sub and rears, thus screwing it up?

Also, on the subject of remotes... Sony don't stock the exact model number any more (RM-AAP022) but DO stock the RM-AAP023 that came with the STR-DG1000. Will it not work with the 820 at all? I just need to access the distance and speaker settings

 

[DampCat]

Superb post thanks for your help. Gonna start looking for things 2nd hand. It's no rush so I can hold out for a bargain.

Thanks!