"Per Stromgren" wrote in message


I need an amp for the TV sound, to replace the second-hand receiver I
use now. The requirements are very low: it is the basic two channel
amplifier I'm after.

However, all supermarkets around sells 5 channel remote controlled
receivers with surround decoders and RDS tuner for the equivalent of
200-300 US dollars. Is there anything basically wrong with these? They
wear well knows brand stickers, Sony for instance. What would be the
difference engineering-wise between these cheap receivers and the
alternative, a 2-channel Rotel or NAD? They must have saved the money
somewhere when designing these cheap receivers.

IME most of the money is often taken from places that don't appreciably hurt
sound quality. Corners are cut, but they often represent well-thought-out
insights into what it really takes to make good sound.

You can get a 5.1 receiver for close to $100.

Speakers will be closed-box KEF B200+T27 (KEF Choral?), and output
power is not an issue, anything is enough.

IME spending the bigger bucks on quality speakers is a wise move.

Critical listening is done
through the main system, not this one, but even the TV sound should be
free of distortion artifacts and be possible to listen to.

The Sony STR-DE695 and 495 are good examples of what I am looking at.

Most of my experience with cheap receivers is with Pioneer equipment. The
Sony equipment I've bought has often disappointed me on the grounds of
durability and longetivity. I have only one piece in long-term use at this
time.