Low cost way to get 5.1 sound?

[stlc8tr]

A friend just got a new TV and we're looking into a low cost way of extracting 5.1 sound from it. Does anyone sell a low cost 5.1 amp?

We don't need anything fancy or high powered, just a way to take the optical out from the TV and get 5.1 sound with an adjustable center/dialog channel.

I browsed Amazon and saw a bunch of $200-$250 amps that look like it can do this but I was hoping for something a bit cheaper.

Thanks!

 

[funboy6942]

This fits the bill, amp, speakers, kick ass sound, all in one....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logitech-Z9...067063?hash=item4645d17ab7:g:9TQAAOSw8-tWZjMt

http://www.trustedreviews.com/logitech-z906-review

 

[Childs]

Just the receiver or speakers as well? If you don't need speakers, you can find refurbished 5.1 receivers for like $150. Then there are things like HDMI to 5.1 analog adapters:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HDMI-Dolby-...436904?hash=item35bf2988a8:g:l1oAAOSwEeFVNYNN

Or Optical to 5.1 analog adapters:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ical+to+5.1.TRS0&_nkw=optical+to+5.1&_sacat=0

I don't have any experience with these particular devices, but I use these no name spdif to analog adapters and amps and they work fine. For as low as $30 I'd give the optical to 5.1 converter a shot. I might get one anyway just to see how it works.

EDIT: Looks like they found their way on Amazon. Here are some with reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Panlong-Audio-Digital-Decoder-Converter/dp/B00AMC2J1Y

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XOZDMB2?psc=1

Just keep in mind these aren't amps, just dacs.

 

[stlc8tr]

Thanks for the links. I have some older amps and speakers sitting around so one of those 5.1 decoders might work.

But from some quick Googling, it seems that a lot of them have decoding issues. Like this HD Audio Rush unit has various problems that prevent proper decoding.

http://www.dr-lex.be/hardware/hdar_review.html

I was hoping to spend less than $75 but but we might break down and just pick up a cheapie 5.1 amp if I seem something decent on Craigslist.

Thanks again.

 

[Childs]

Thanks for the links. I have some older amps and speakers sitting around so one of those 5.1 decoders might work.

But from some quick Googling, it seems that a lot of them have decoding issues. Like this HD Audio Rush unit has various problems that prevent proper decoding.

http://www.dr-lex.be/hardware/hdar_review.html

I was hoping to spend less than $75 but but we might break down and just pick up a cheapie 5.1 amp if I seem something decent on Craigslist.

Thanks again.

Yeah, you never know with these low cost devices. The reviews on Amazon seemed positive enough, but they could be reviewing different clones depending on who is selling them at the time. You should be able to find a decent used receiver on CL for under $75. hehe, in my area I even see someone selling a 46" project tv with receiver and 5.1 speakers for $60.

 

[JeffMD]

In the world of audio, you get what you pay for. If all you are paying for is $75, you will get $75 worth of sound from it.

 

[Deders]

In the world of audio, you get what you pay for. If all you are paying for is $75, you will get $75 worth of sound from it.

Or $20 worth of audio and $55 worth of marketing. (Beats I'm looking at you)

 

[Mike64]

Or $20 worth of audio and $55 worth of marketing. (Beats I'm looking at you)

And not just Beats. The old "you get what you pay for" line always drives me a little nuts. The idea behind it, or the part I agree with anyway, would be much better phrased as "you don't get what you don't pay for" (with the corollary of course being "you don't necessarily get what you think you're paying for.")