AV help and connecting a GC to an amp

[srgbilco]

I'm planning to get a surround sound set-up, and I'm currently looking at the Sony HTP-25. I know the retail price is probably too high at ?380 and you're paying mostly for looks, but I can get a brand-new one for ?200, and this is pretty much my budget, so the other options in this price range look a bit ****. Is this good for the price or **** for everything?

Also, I'm getting a modded Toshiba SD220E DVD player, since I've heard great things about it and it has component output, which my TV supports. I can also get it pre-modded for ?120. Is this any good?

To justify this topic being here rather than at the AV forums , how would I go about connecting my GC to the amp of the surround set-up? I know the PS2 and X-box uses optical out, but there just seems to be an output for video on the GC and no sound options. I'm using an RGB cable, BTW.

[Saurian]

You can connect the Gamecube your amp for Pro Logic 2 - by a pair of phonos. You may need to get hold of an RGB lead with a audio out block or use a SCART splitter with it's own audio out. If you dont mind soldering you could connect your phonos to the audio pins of the SCART plug.

[Guest]

?120 is pretty much the going rate for a modded SD-220E; its how much both my brother-in-law and I paid for our ones from Richer Sounds, for instance. If you're feeling brave, you can get a non-modded one for ?100 and download the BIOS flash disc off the net, but I was prepared to pay the extra for the peace of mind. Its a gorgeous player in terms of picture quality - the fact that both of us were replacing ?300+ players gives you some idea of how much better it was than our older ones.

Right, as for connecting up your GC to the amp, there are a few possible ways. As you've also got a PC and an XBox, would I be right in thinking you've got the legendary Argos RGB switcher? If not, buy one. If so, use the pair of phono outs provided on it for this very purpose.

Alternatively, for convenience, I have the Argos splitter run to my Sky digibox and then on to the tv, so there is never any switching to get Sky working. That also has stereo outs on it that automatically pass through whatever is coming in the second scart socket if its turned on, along with switching the picture to the incoming signal as well, so I connect off that myself.

Either way, there is no digital sound output on the Cube, so its stereo phono leads or nothing.

edit - oh, do you mean This Sony HTK-25 from Unbeatable for ?198? A friend of mine bought one recently, and its an absolutely blinding quality sound for the cash, once you've used a suitable calibration DVD and a sound level meter. Good choice.