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Trying to help a non-audiophile friend, and I know zilch about this.
He's looking for something to hook up to his tv, plays dvd/cd, and will drive some B&W speakers - hasn't told me the model speaker yet but I'm pretty sure they're fairly small and easy to drive, and he may use 3 including a center channel. I was gonna rec an Oppo 103 (just based on what I've read), but then he'd have to buy a separate amp.
Is there such an integrated gadget, and fairly inexpensive? Seems like a tall order to me, but I have no home theater/dvd setup and am ignorant about such devices.
Follow Ups:
What I would suggest to a friend or relative who places ease of use as the top priority is the following: Start with the terrific Sony BDP-S6500 Blu-ray player for great BD playback, superb DVD upscaling, average CD sound quality (relative to today's typical BD players), and responsive wi-fi video streaming of Netflix and other services. Presently the player is about $99 at Crutchfield and Amazon. (We like the 6500 so much I bought two of them, one each for our 65" and 60" plasma televisions.)
I would then recommend purchasing an AV receiver that has the features and inputs desired. Nice receivers are available from Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, Sony, and Pioneer, among a few others. My current favorite is Yamaha due to their neutral to slightly warm and smooth sonics; look at the Aventage line if it fits within the budget.
For maximum convenience, maybe obtain a Sony AV receiver, which would likely have a remote control to operate both the receiver and BD player. (I could not find a photo of the remote nor locate a user manual on Sony's website.) If a universal remote is not a problem, any major brand AV receiver will be fine.
Lastly, buy a decent HDMI cable to connect the BD player to the receiver. Good cables at low prices are available from Blue Jeans Cable, Parts Express, and Monoprice.
PS: The BDP-S6500 is unique among Sony's latest players to have IP Content NR Pro, which makes a very worthwhile improvement in streamed video quality. With IP Content NR Pro engaged, Netflix's finest HD programming now looks better than some of my Blu-ray discs. This Sony feature is the first noise-reduction system I have ever seen that does not blur or artificially sharpen the picture. (I always turn off "enhancers.") The picture just looks clean and natural. I use a setting of Film 2.
Have a look at Arcam's Solo Music (2.0) or Solo Movie (5.1). There are updated version slated to come out very soon.
I own a previous generation Solo Movie and think it is fantastic.
I'm thinking to get a new Solo Music when it comes out to replace a NAD Viso 5 funny enough. As mentioned by others the Viso does sound great but has no HDMI which I will require.
The NAD Viso Five fits your needs.I used the two-channel version - the Viso Two - to drive a pair of MMG's and it sounded fabulous.
There is a factory refurb on Ag-on right now for $399. My Viso Two was also a factory refurb that I bought from the same seller and it was fine.
Edits: 11/23/15
The NAD Viso is a 2009 model and quite obsolete. For example, the latest Dolby and DTS audio formats are absent; no 4K television passthrough (hence no 4K TV should he become interested later); and no HDMI inputs and thus no Blu-ray or outboard video streaming capability.With so many missing basic features, it is wildly overpriced at $399.
Edits: 11/23/15
the Viso Five is a bargain at $399 considering the high-end sound quality of its DAC and amplifier sections.
I previously owned a Viso Two, and the $650 Marantz NR-1603 AV receiver that replaced it in my system is not even in the same league sonically.
And as you say, if video switching and ability to decode the latest formats are more important then it is probably not the right choice.
But I think your statements that the Viso is "obsolete" and "wildly overpriced" at $399 are not necessarily true.
With today's (and future) video gear, HDMI inputs are a necessity. It does one no good to have what may or may not be superior sound quality if you cannot utilize common sources now or later. The NAD is inherently obsolete, which is why the folks at Spearit have discounted it to such an extreme. It is forever stuck in 2009.
I was just trying to help.
This will be my final post on AA.
Do not overreact or be upset on my account. You were trying to help and such is appreciated.
My concern was that if the person looking for an easy-to-operate AV product purchased the NAD Viso, he would find out later it couldn't be used for Blu-ray, a Roku, a UHD television, etc.
The more helpful folks here, like yourself, the better. Please stay.
nt
nt
This looks like a great buy for everybody!
Cheers
Bill
Here's a link to Spearit Sound's website that contains more info about the Viso Five.
nt
Pioneer makes one an Sherwood has a 5.1 for 169. $50 gets a blue ray with WiFi these days with the cheaper made units with no internal display.
ET
I can't think of anything (aside from cheapo HTIB systems) that consist of a disc player and amp, much less a three channel amp.
One of those starter receivers, or a thin Marantz, and virtually any Blu-ray player will work. sony makes some nice Wi-Fi units for > 100
But, be aware that since they stopped putting analog audio outputs on most blue ray disc players, he's going to have to go through the TV, even for CD's.
Maybe plain old DVD players are different. I haven't looked at them recently.
Those receivers have digital audio inputs. The video might have to go dire ct, I didn't look to see if they have video switching via HDMI. I never use that feature anyway, just makes you buy more cables.
ET
Yes, an AV receiver. They start at about $250. He can add as many sources (DVD player, Blu-ray, etc.) to it as he desires, as long as he picks a model with a sufficient number of inputs.
If he has a 4K television, he should make certain the AVR is compatible (most are these days).
Below is a link to AVRs available from the good folks at Crutchfield. Amazon and Best Buy have an excellent selection as well.
Define inexpensive as you are mentioning a $500 player...
On closeout at Fry B&M but only 2.1. I do not think anyone makes a 3 channel unit with a player. Under $200 if you can find it.
Harman Kardon 2.1-Channel A/V Receiver with 3-D Blu-ray Disc Player Built-in BDS 277BQ/120-A1.
You can get a half height AVR from Marantz or Yamaha and pair it with the Oppo or other Blu-Ray player but you will pay a premium for the half height. $300-$500. Check Accessories for Less.
If you are willing to go full height you should be able to get a decent AVR for under $300 on sale especially if you are willing to settle for last year's model. You'll likely give up the ability to switch 4K video and Bluetooth.
Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, pick your favorite.
Add a Sony Blu-ray for under $100 and you are good to go.
"Harman Kardon 2.1-Channel A/V Receiver with 3-D Blu-ray Disc Player Built-in BDS 277BQ/120-A1."
I advise against purchase of any of the BDS integrated AVR?BDP units. I have tried several and, of those, none have worked properly.
What kind of problems were encountered?
You name it. One arrived dead. Another played the disc but not from any HDMI input. Or was it the other way around? With 2, I could not access the setup menus. 2 others suffered from an inability to set channel levels properly with identical matched speakers.
Of these, most were "B" stock from HK but one was purchased new from NewEgg with the hope that the previous ones were the fault of HK quality control with the "B" stock items. Unfortunately, that one was equally unusable and had to be returned.
FWIW, all these are with regard to the 5.1 versions and refer only to the AVR/BDP unit. I never bothered with the speakers.
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