What should I do? Bi-Wire speakers and in-compatible DVD player

ben_j_davis · 20 Jul 2007 at 10:45

What should I do? Old wire speakers and a in-compatible DVD player

Hi people,

I've got a set of old wired speakers which I want to use with my new DVD player (Samsung HD-870). Obviously they are not compatible, therefore is the only option to buy a cheap amp? If so can anyone recommend a cheap 5.1 amp?

Thanks a lot,
Ben

Things change I've changed · 20 Jul 2007 at 11:07

You say you have a set of speakers, you mean you have 6 of them ? or are you only looking to achieve stereo sound from your DVD player as theres no point in purchasing a 5.1 amp if your only going to be using 2 speakers with it as you will get better sound quality from a dedicated stereo amp also,

Its questionable whether you can actually hear a difference in audio quality when you you b-wire speakers tbh, some people reccomend joining the top and bottom red and black speaker terminals up with hi grade speaker wire instead of using the standerd steel/brass plate can sometimes net you a slight improvement in sound, either way I doubt your'll be ablw to tell the difference.

also mate whats your budget ?

ben_j_davis · 20 Jul 2007 at 11:35

Yeah, 5 speakers plus a Sub. At the moment I don't use all 5 speakers, just the center and two front ones, so I guess it wouldn't be a huge loss if i could only do stereo. Budget wise - I don't really want to spend over £100 (which is bugger all really for an amp.)

Abyss · 20 Jul 2007 at 15:32

Your only realistic option is as you say a cheap AV amp. Where abouts are you located?

Things change I've changed · 20 Jul 2007 at 16:33

ben_j_davis said:
Yeah, 5 speakers plus a Sub. At the moment I don't use all 5 speakers, just the center and two front ones, so I guess it wouldn't be a huge loss if i could only do stereo. Budget wise - I don't really want to spend over £100 (which is bugger all really for an amp.)

£100 well net you a cheap yamaha/denon surround amp off the bay that should keep you happy for a while, if you don't know if what your looking at is any good then just quote the model numbers on here and we're help you out.

ben_j_davis · 21 Jul 2007 at 14:17

Thanks guys, in the end I found a work around:

My old DVD player does Dolby 5.1 surround sound, so I used the dvd player as an amplifier.

T.V.
+
Old Dvd Player - Speakers
+
New Samusung DVD player.

Quite cunning i thought, and i didn't cost a penny.

ben_j_davis · 1 Aug 2007 at 15:35

Dammit, it turns out that DVD player (amplifier) has to be set to VCR mode to work and then it only outputs to the left and right speakers

Looks like I will need a new amp after all.