Lossless on blu - how good?

[wildphantom]

Hey guys,
I have had a Sony 5.1 system for a good few years now, that sports satellite speakers that output only around 25w.
Its done the job just fine and the dolby digital/dts 5.1 tracks have always sounded great.

However, all I ever seem to read is everyone on here raving the lossless tracks and I'm considering upgrading to a new amp to enjoy HD sound

My main question is, should I get a new amp then will I notice the difference even with my current satellite speakers?
I really haven't got the cash to upgrade my speakers right now, but if you can assure me I'll notice a huge improvement by just buying the amp then I'll literally go out now and by one!

Guess I'm also interested in hearing from other folk what it was like when you first made the upgrade and what your initial thoughts were of the quality.

Thanks

[X400]

you'll notice a difference with your old speakers on a new amp

i was really impressed with lossless.. heck i was impressed with normal dolby/dts with a new receiver so its definately worth it

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by wildphantom

Hey guys,
I have had a Sony 5.1 system for a good few years now, that sports satellite speakers that output only around 25w.
Its done the job just fine and the dolby digital/dts 5.1 tracks have always sounded great.

However, all I ever seem to read is everyone on here raving the lossless tracks and I'm considering upgrading to a new amp to enjoy HD sound

My main question is, should I get a new amp then will I notice the difference even with my current satellite speakers?
I really haven't got the cash to upgrade my speakers right now, but if you can assure me I'll notice a huge improvement by just buying the amp then I'll literally go out now and by one!

Guess I'm also interested in hearing from other folk what it was like when you first made the upgrade and what your initial thoughts were of the quality.

Thanks

Wow dude! You don't realize what you are in for. I understood that there was going to be an improvement, but I didn't expect it to be worth the $3000 I spent in upgrading my entire audio setup. It turned out that it was more than worth it as sound quality now accounts for %60 of the enjoyment that I get out of my viewing experience. Trust me, you WILL notice a difference. It's like the lossless audio track lifts a fog out of the listening area and everything becomes clear.

As for the receiver that you should get? I'm not too sure how the wattage factor of your speakers will be affected by wattage output of the receiver. But, the Onkyo line of receivers provide top notch equipment for reasonable pricing.

[SS316SRV]

Loud explosions, and action sequences aren't were I notice it the most. It is in the quiet scenes with a lot of detail that I can tell the difference.

[blu-backer]

Not sure what satellites you have, but in my case, the same speakers and sub that I used with my old Sony amp work just fine with my Onkyo 605. And yes, there is a difference between lossless and the non-lossless tracks, even with my old speakers.

Just like there was a big jump from stereo to 5.1 and DTS, there is a big jump from regular Dolby and DTS to Lossless PCM, TrueHD and DTS MA. It's hard to describe in words, but the sound just seems more "real" and with mixes that take advantage of the surrounds, more immersive.

I no longer buy Blu-Rays that don't have lossless tracks. They sound "flat" to me now.

Just my $0.02.

[turbodslbeetle]

My spiral into the AV hell started when my POS 10 year old Pioneer receiver blew up 2 months ago. Went looking and listening (already knew what I was after based on input from this site) and came home with a Denon. Wow is all I can say, it's like the difference between VHS and Blu-ray. I can't believe I'd been watching Blu this long with that junk. Then I figured I might as well get some speakers to go with it - Klipsch RB-61 fronts, RC-62 center and RS-62 rears, still trying to decide on the bass. The detail in the audio now is so good it makes my hair stand on end sometimes. Yes I am in AV hell, and I like it!

Good Luck

[alexakajeff]

Definitely worth the money, but I would rather spend the money on Kill Bill.

[Clark Kent]

Once you go lossless audio you'll never go back. It has a major impact on blockbuster type movies and action filled movies. Here is a warning though. Once you hear it you'll want to keep spending more money for a better subwoofer and then better speakers and so on. You might need a second job to afford it all.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

Loud explosions, and action sequences aren't were I notice it the most. It is in the quiet scenes with a lot of detail that I can tell the difference.

+1 I could discern the difference much easier during the music or music plus dialogue parts. The difference between lossless and lossy audio is discernable but it is not like night and day. It varies too with the sound mix. I have come across some BDs where the difference is definitely noticeable.

[Big Daddy]

If you don't have the money, be patient. Good things come to patient people. Save your money and wait a while and upgrade to something better in the future. There is no reason to put yourself in financial difficulty. Buy a new receiver only if you are absolutely sure you can afford it.

[zweet77]

You will notice but you will want to get some better front and center speakers to get a huge difference.I would suggest doing that first If you do not have cash for all of it.You will probably notice bigger difference just upgrading your center then just upgrading the receiver.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by blu-backer

I no longer buy Blu-Rays that don't have lossless tracks. They sound "flat" to me now.

Such minor details would not keep me from buying a good movie with just lossy audio such as Sleepy Hollow.

On some BDs for example, Batman Begins, the lossless audio tracks are disappointingly deficient and sound no better than lossy Dolby Digital.