Simple Digital Optical In, Quality 2 Channel Out

[Kazz]

I have a Hitachi 1080p that has enough inputs for what I ask of it. The sound's anemic. I have a pair of Advent Laureate speakers that make awesome sound. I'd just like a simple amp that can take the optical digital auido from the Hitachi and turn it into decent sound on the Advents.

The room's odd-shaped so no 5. or 7.1's gonna ever work in here. True, one day, I may want more inputs. But, for today, it's the DirectTV HD-DVR and the PS3 for DVDs & Blu-Rays.

Thanks.

 

[Adam]

What's your budget?

An inexpensive surround sound receiver could still be a good solution if you can't find a two-channel receiver/amp that you like, IMO. The Onkyo TX-SR506 is relatively inexpensive (easily found for about $200, and I've seen it as low at $150), has a digital optical input, and can be used in two-channel mode. The Onkyo is just one example.

 

[Kazz]

Thanks.

The budget's not much of an issue. Handle the sound coming from my Blu-Rays and such and give me 2-channel happiness. $200's plenty cheap, of course.

I was thinking of something that wouldn't take up much space, create much heat, etc.

 

[markw]

Life isn't always that simple.

But sometimes it's not as complex as we make it.

Most TV's don't "pass through" digital signals via their digital outputs. These generally only output what's generated by theit internal ATSC tuners.

I could be wrong. You might want to investigate this more.

But, ultimately, most sets offer an analog (red/white RCA jacks) which will (usually) pass what's fed into them.

My suggestion: Feed your Blu-Ray into your TV via HDMI, let the TV do the digital/analog conversion and let it be passed out those previously mentioned analog outputs. Then, any stereo amp, modern or vintage, connected to the TV could do the job.

 

[Kazz]

But sometimes it's not as complex as we make it.

Most TV's don't "pass through" digital signals via their digital outputs. These generally only output what's generated by theit internal ATSC tuners.

I could be wrong. You might want to investigate this more.

But, ultimately, most sets offer an analog (red/white RCA jacks) which will (usually) pass what's fed into them.

My suggestion: Feed your Blu-Ray into your TV via HDMI, let the TV do the digital/analog conversion and let it be passed out those previously mentioned analog outputs. Then, any stereo amp, modern or vintage, connected to the TV could do the job.

Interesting, I hadn't thought about that. Thanks. I'll look into it!