what the difference between...?

[alpha335]

this may seem kind of dumb but im just getting into this, whats the difference between an amp and a reciever? i dont have a lot of cash to spend and i found an old yamaha rx-v490 and hooked it up to 2 small yamah speakers and my lcd tv and upconvert dvd player any ideas for cheap add ons?

 

[mike c]

what you have is a receiver. it's basically an all in one unit. it has amps inside, tuner, processor which includes the all important volume control (IMO the most important difference between a receiver and an amp)

an amp needs a pre-amp to work because it does not have its own volume control, and it cannot switch between components like your tv source, player, etc.

 

[mtrycrafts]

this may seem kind of dumb but im just getting into this, whats the difference between an amp and a reciever? i dont have a lot of cash to spend and i found an old yamaha rx-v490 and hooked it up to 2 small yamah speakers and my lcd tv and upconvert dvd player any ideas for cheap add ons?

Looks like you have an older Dolby Prologic receiver. It has what mikec indicated, a preamp/processor for dpl and power amp, not too shabby.
Unfortunately I don't think it will do anything digital, just 2 channel analog in prologic mode.
To get some semblance of surround sound, you would need 3 more speakers and a sub.

 

[Adam]

For cheap add-ons, I'd recommend getting a pair of inexpensive small speakers to use for rear surround sound. When I first got a Pro-Logic receiver, I went and got a pair of speakers from Radio Shack for $20. The speakers just had a single small cone in them and weren't full range, but you don't need that for Pro-Logic, and just the addition of sound coming from the rear was a great addition. Next you could get a cheap center channel speaker, but it's best to have the center and front two speakers be similar because you want the sound to be similar as it passes from one to another (say, as a motorcycle goes across the screen, you don't want it to to sound like a Harley in your left speaker, sound like a moped in your center, and then sound like a Harley again in your right speaker). It's not nearly as important to have the rear speakers match the fronts.

 

[alpha335]

thanks for the info now i wont go out and buy the same product in a newer version. what do you guys think about the bose 3 2 1 system?

 

[Adam]

what do you guys think about the bose 3 2 1 system?

I've never heard one. I'd just suggest listening to one before buying and/or buy from someplace that will let you take it back if you decide that you don't like it. That's the same advice that I give for any audio/video product, especially one that costs as much as that system does.

 

[Davemcc]

thanks for the info now i wont go out and buy the same product in a newer version. what do you guys think about the bose 3 2 1 system?

I had a Bose 3-2-1 system. At first it seemed OK but within a few months, the flatness of the highs and muddiness of the bass made me look to replace it. It's an expensive piece and trendy, but if you are looking for quality sound reproduction, useful connectivity and any type of surround effects, I would suggest to look elsewhere. For the price of a 3-2-1, you can do very much better.

 

[Hi Ho]

If you're looking for an all in one virtual surround system then you can do much better than the Bose 3-2-1 for less money. The Yamaha sound projectors really do an amazing job of producing a realistic surround field. The YSP-900 is under $1000. You would want a sub to go with it too.

 

[Alex2507]

thanks for the info now i wont go out and buy the same product in a newer version. what do you guys think about the bose 3 2 1 system?

This seems like an open invitation to some fresh Bose Bashing. I haven't heard any in about two weeks so I guess I'm due. Do a search on Bose and save yourself the time of waiting for replies. The number of preferable alternatives are numerous.