beginner's question

[fatlittlepig]

I'm overall tech savvy but definitely not when it comes to audio/TV stuff
I have a Samsung 55 inch HDTV and finally decided that the built in speakers were too soft. currently other than the cable box, all I have hooked up to the TV is my Apple TV.

I was looking at some receivers off craigslist and getting some bookshelf speakers. Does the receiver need to have HDMI or would I hook up the apple tv and cable box to the TV using HDMI, then the TV audio out to the receiver.

I found some very reasonably priced receivers on craigslist but I don't think they have HDMI.

Thanks in advance, I am pretty clueless.

 

[NutBucket]

Do you want surround or just stereo?

 

[fatlittlepig]

Just stereo
Basically I want my current set up to remain the same, just the sound from the TV, and the apple TV to be louder and richer

i was looking at a used receiver like this:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ele/3921711934.html

 

[fatlittlepig]

I was wondering if I could get away with this item, since space is a concern...

http://www.amazon.com/LP-2020A-Lepai...keywords=lepai

Thanks in advance!

 

[NutBucket]

Should be fine. Looks like you can either feed it digital with SPDIF or analog.

As for the second amp, that would be OK if you TV has variable analog preamp outputs. If it does not you'd have to change the volume on the amp itself. Annoying to say the least.

 

[fatlittlepig]

Hey thanks that makes sense about the second amp. I think the second amp is probably more for just music.

Should I be dubious about buying an receiver and bookshelf speakers all for under 100 bucks off craigslist, sounds too good to be true.

Should be fine. Looks like you can either feed it digital with SPDIF or analog.

As for the second amp, that would be OK if you TV has variable analog preamp outputs. If it does not you'd have to change the volume on the amp itself. Annoying to say the least.

 

[NutBucket]

Not really, those items loose LOTS of value. That receiver is probably from the mid 90's. Its antiquated for anything but music purposes really. But its perfect for your setup.

 

[fatlittlepig]

hey nutbucket, just for my own information, what advantage would a newer receiver have in terms of bells and whistles that this one couldn't do?

thanks

Not really, those items loose LOTS of value. That receiver is probably from the mid 90's. Its antiquated for anything but music purposes really. But its perfect for your setup.

 

[NutBucket]

For your purposes none.

A new receiver would have HDMI switching (which would then allow you to feed all the surround sound audio to it. Can't do that with the setup you're planning), support for all the modern surround formats (Dolby Pro-Logic went the way of the dodo years ago) and some sort of automated system configuration (use a provided microphone to do an automated setup specific to your room/configuration). Again, all these are nice features but not needed for a stereo setup.

 

[fatlittlepig]

hope you don't mind all the questions, with my basic receiver and two stereo set up: I would just keep the receiver on all the time so when i watch regular TV the sound goes to my new speakers right?

For your purposes none.

A new receiver would have HDMI switching (which would then allow you to feed all the surround sound audio to it. Can't do that with the setup you're planning), support for all the modern surround formats (Dolby Pro-Logic went the way of the dodo years ago) and some sort of automated system configuration (use a provided microphone to do an automated setup specific to your room/configuration). Again, all these are nice features but not needed for a stereo setup.

 

[NutBucket]

That's correct. No worries on the questions. Ask away. Either you learn by trial and error (hopefully no smoke ) or by asking lots of questions (and hope the people answering know what they're talking about).

 

[fatlittlepig]

Nutbucket- what do you think about this model?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ele/3924810624.html

will these types of setups allow me to plug my apple tv audio into the receiver.

That's correct. No worries on the questions. Ask away. Either you learn by trial and error (hopefully no smoke ) or by asking lots of questions (and hope the people answering know what they're talking about).

 

[NutBucket]

Not exactly. These don't have HDMI inputs either. They only have digital audio inputs. It will accept the digital signal from your Apple TV but then you'll have to switch the inputs on both the TV and the audio system. Plus it won't sound as good as the stereo setup you're planning. I would stick to your original plan. When you want to add surround sound that's a different story

 

[fatlittlepig]

what do you think about a soundbar? I like that it would take up less space than a receiver and speakers but its more pricey. thanks again

 

[NutBucket]

Soundbars can't compare. Small drivers will always be at an inherent disadvantage to larger ones. A soundbar is a total compromise. Yes it will sound much better than the TV speakers. But on the flip side the setup you're looking at is cheaper and will sound better still. Many people sacrifice sound quality for size. Whether or not you want to do that is your call.