Thanks again for the advice.
I was just asking about the two Yamaha units.
With the equipment I mentioned the TV is a simple display device and has no need to send an audio signal, analogue or digital, to the stereo receiver or integrated amplifier. ...
Sorry if there was any confusion and thanks again for the help.
Why would you watch a movie using the crappy TV speakers when you have a great sound system sitting right there?
I'm not trying to be contrary; I'm simply hoping to get you to see the bigger picture.
I too have predominately a Music system with primarily Vinyl, and secondarily CD. Any MP3 or pure digital files are for casual listening.
But I also enjoy Movies, and my system which is nothing special in terms of cost, ROCKS for movies. It brings both the Thunder and the Lightening.
So, if the path we are on does not lead to resolution, let's follow the standard path.
How much money do you have to spend?
What components do you expect that money to buy you?
What are the dimensions room the system will be in?
What are you primary sources? It seems you've answered this, but it is a standard question.
That will give us a framework for what is appropriate for you.
The
Yamaha AS500 withOUT a DAC is selling for $399, though I didn't search extensively. The
Yamaha AS501 with DAC is $549. That's roughly a difference of $150. A good DAC, which you might well need in the future, will cost DOUBLE that amount.
Still, your money, your life. But clearly you like to watch movies. And you might have a rare TV that has Analog Audio Out. If so, you are in luck ... for as long as you have that TV. But, it is far less likely that a TV you have in the future TV will have Analog Outputs.
Again, it is a colossal waste to watch TV or movies simply using the TV speakers, when you have a very nice Stereo system sitting right there.
But again, your money, your life.
If you really want to maximize what you get for your money, consider the Harman Kardon HK3770 at $449, that is a very powerful, feature packed system -
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_532HK3...rdon_HK3770&osp=harmon+kardon+hk3770&skipvs=T
120w/ch, Network Streaming, DAC w/ Digital In, Phono, Bluetooth, and more.
They Yamaha are exceptional value. Most similar amps near that price are not as high value as Yamaha, yet Yamaha manages to maintain a reasonably high standard of quality for a consumer amp.
I still say you best value in a long term amp is the AS501.
The Yamaha RS500 with 75w/ch at $349 is very high value. Though I think the AS500 is probably a better amp. But it is also $50 more. If you are absolutely lock at UNDER $400, then these are probably the best two amps to consider.
In some case, if your TV has a Headphone out, that can be used to connect the TV to a Stereo. That's not considered the best, but it is massively better than the typical TV speakers.
Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Steve/bluewizard