Best Value Second Hand Surround Amp

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Hi, I’m looking to purchase a used amp for my lounge surround system - the house I’ve moved to has 5 ceiling speakers. I’m looking to connect my tv above my fireplace and use HD over Cat5e so the TV box will sit under the stairs with the amp along with the Apple TV. What’s the best value amp I should be looking at please?
Thanks in advance,
Chris
 
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Where all you require is basic video compatibility for 1080p HD, then pretty much any AV receiver or AV amp from the past 10-12 years will do that easily. However, if you want to take advantage of UHD resolution (commonly referred to 4K because it sounds sexier than UHD, but technically not accurate) with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Colour Gamut (WCG) then you're going to be looking at something far more recent.


Main brands are (in no particular order) Pioneer, Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, Sony, Marantz. Of those, I would rule out the following:

> Onkyo - problems with HDMI-board failures because they run hot

> Older Sony models up to the STR-DN1060 (2015) and the STG-DH and STR-DG ranges - there are better-sounding and less quirky models for your money

> Newer Denon models from 2015 to present - They run very hot to the point where owners are having to use laptop cooling trays on top of the amp to force more air through. Heat and electronics don't mix well (see Onkyo)

Safe bets are Yamaha, Pioneer and Marantz. Personally, I favour Yamaha, but either of the other two are generally fine too as are the newer Sony amps (STR-DN 1070 & 1080).

A system based on five in-ceiling speakers (unknown size and quality) could well end up sounding quite bass-light depending on the size and capability of the speakers. All AV amps and AV receivers have the ability to drive a sub-woofer. This will fill in the sound from mid-range male voice frequency down to T-Rex stomping sounds.


Ultimately, your choices are governed by your budget and what's available at the time you come to buy. How much do you have to spend, and is it possible to stretch your budget if something much better is available for say an extra £50/£100/£200?

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Hey, we can spend a few hundred quid. The Sony 1080 looks good. I need to check out the Yamaha. Will these work in sync with a chosen HDMI over data?
 
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should be able to pick an older unit the Yamaha one were good much cheaper than that.
 

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