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Review 1 of 17
Price Paid:
$400.00
from Beaver Hi-Fi Liverpo Summary: As an entry level Dolby Digital and DTS decoder, this is a fine amp, however I have noticed a few things that make me unhappy. I can here "hiss" when using coax digital ins (Only at high volumes in quiet sections, mind you but hiss non the less) I have used 2 different makes of digital coax interconnect and have used both my DVD player and CD player playing a XRCD (fully digital recorded and mastered cd with no hiss) as a test. I can hear hiss on all of the channels that have a coax digital in. Absolutely no hiss is found when the DVD player and CD player are connected up with analogue stereo interconnects (phonos). I have concluded that there is a problem with the DAC on my DSP-A5. I don't know anyone else with this amp so I can't say if it's a common fault or not. It's a very quite hiss so you may not even notice it unless you play your movies/music at unbelievably high levels and they have large quiet sections.
Stereo performance is ok. Good detail but a lack of soundstage makes me long for a better stereo amp. However this amp can be used as a processor and has full 5.1 outputs as well as inputs. So I will be keeping it as a processor.
I use Mission 77C1 (centre) and 77DS (rears) that sound very good with movies and good with Dolby Digital/dts music disks.
I was not too impressed by Pro-logic but I never have been. I prefer to have stereo rather than pro-logic.
If you can pick one up second hand I recommend it highly. In the 3 years I have had this amp I have never had a problem with it other than the slight hiss. If possible check for the hiss your self and look for any crackle when turning up the volume. The loud click when changing between digital and analogue sources is normal, it's the DAC turning on and off I think.
The remote is ok but very cluttered. I was able to program my other learning remote with the signals from it with no problems.
Overall I am very happy with my A/V amp. Only the stereo reproduction and lack of EX and pro-logic II makes me think of upgrading. Strengths: Cost. Good with movies. Good in stereo for a A/V amp Weaknesses: Slight "hiss" from the internal DAC noticeable at High levels. (Could just be mine)
Just ok in stereo when placed next to a Hi-Fi amp.
Remote is sometimes fiddly
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