On Sun, 2 Mar 2008 08:19:29 -0800 (PST), DaviesL
wrote:

Guys I have a Samsung DVD HD870 and want to buy a surround sound
package that does the job, looks discrete and one where I don't have
to go and buy a new dvd player. What do you recommend? I guess I
need to get a 5.1 amp as my dvd player doesn't have one built in (I
don't think anyway). I've been to Richer Sounds and other shops and
they've been absolutely no use whatsoever. Yes, I'm a complete novice
at this so any help is greatly appreciated.

I know what you mean about Richer Sounds. I find them OK if I know
what I want and they have it, but IME it's not the place to go for
advice. You need a real Hi-Fi shop for that - ideally a small local
one, but the likes of Sevenoaks S&V or Audio T are usually pretty
decent.

Hmmm.... What's your budget? I'm not familiar with the DVD player that
you mention, but I see that it's a budget model (albeit apparently
well-rated in its price range). So I'll guess that you're looking at
the less expensive end of the market.

You're going to need an amp and a set of speakers. Suggestions:

Amplifier: Onkyo TX-SR505 (£250 from Superfi - see
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...oduct_ID/3350).

Speakers: How about a Wharfedale Diamond set at £400? Again, you might
try Superfi - see
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/2210.

Don't forget that you'll also need a lot of speaker cable and a
digital interconnect between the DVD player and the amp. And a
subwoofer interconnect. You might also need speaker stands and/or
brackets.

I'm not sure that this lot will meet your idea of 'discrete' (Ummm...
'discreet'?) though. These aren't small. The amp, in particular, is a
bit chunky. But good quality home cinema kit tends to be that way
inclined. Five channels of amplification takes space (and weight!) if
it's to do the job well. And, although there are small speakers out
there, I don't think highly of them.

You might think that the £650 expenditure I've suggested is
disproportionate to the cost of your DVD player. That's a view with
which I can sympathise. But what I've tried to find is kit that's
worth buying and might last you a few years. (And I'm talking about
time before you want to upgrade here, not time before it falls apart.)

Anyway, if you want more ideas, you could do worse than spend £4.10 at
your local newsagent on a copy of "What Hi-Fi?". There are some very
helpful tables at the back of it.

HTH

Peter.