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Desktop speaker amp?

spwath
By spwath
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I am looking for a small desktop speaker amp. I am using an onkyo receiver right now, but I have relized, i dont realy find any benifit in surround sound.

 

What I would like:

  • Would be nice to have sub out, if not, thats OK
  • Needs to drive my possibly 4 ohm speakers, but they might be 8 ohm, not sure.
  • Smallish
  • Banana Plugs
  • Under 100$, prefereably cheaper, without a noticable difference from my receiver. Should note my receiver now i hear crackling when adjusting volume on a bassy track.

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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http://www.amazon.com/Lepy-LP-2024A-Amplifier-Stereo-Supply/dp/B00ULRFQ1A/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1454855223&sr=8-8&keywords=speaker+amplifier

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1 minute ago, ZetZet said:

http://www.amazon.com/Lepy-LP-2024A-Amplifier-Stereo-Supply/dp/B00ULRFQ1A/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1454855223&sr=8-8&keywords=speaker+amplifier

oh, i forgot to mention, Id want one with banana plugs, for convienence sake.

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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I've been looking at the smsl q5 pro for myself (newer version has a micro usb port on the back)

it's about $135 (I know it's a bit over budget)

but seems to be pretty good if you don't mind waiting for delivery from china 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-Q5-Pro-Pure-Digital-HiFi-Amplifier-USB-Fiber-Coaxial-Optical-Audio-Power-/151855583168?hash=item235b4c4fc0:g:eRIAAOSwT5tWJul4

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1 minute ago, GeekThief said:

I've been looking at the smsl q5 pro for myself (newer version has a micro usb port on the back)

it's about $135 (I know it's a bit over budget)

but seems to be pretty good if you don't mind waiting for delivery from china 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-Q5-Pro-Pure-Digital-HiFi-Amplifier-USB-Fiber-Coaxial-Optical-Audio-Power-/151855583168?hash=item235b4c4fc0:g:eRIAAOSwT5tWJul4

That looks Pretty nice, seems to have everything i want, I'll consider that

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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17 minutes ago, GeekThief said:

I've been looking at the smsl q5 pro for myself (newer version has a micro usb port on the back)

it's about $135 (I know it's a bit over budget)

but seems to be pretty good if you don't mind waiting for delivery from china 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-Q5-Pro-Pure-Digital-HiFi-Amplifier-USB-Fiber-Coaxial-Optical-Audio-Power-/151855583168?hash=item235b4c4fc0:g:eRIAAOSwT5tWJul4

Looks like either that, or

http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-A2-Digital-Amplifier-Silver/dp/B014P5I8SG/ref=pd_sim_sbs_23_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=31VK1lwcB0L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0GQQ80AT25EE6HY551WJ

 

The one I linked looks pretty similar, just with no Dac, but still has Sub out

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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Looks nice 
Good find if you don't need the dac.
but might be worth seeing what other people come up with too as i'm not that great on audio stuff.
 

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Just now, GeekThief said:

Looks nice 
Good find if you don't need the dac.
but might be worth seeing what other people come up with too as i'm not that great on audio stuff.
 

Well SMSL is well regarded in the audio world.

 

Ill have to decide between these two, the one with a dac also comes with a remote, that might be nice

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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Hold on why we all recommending amps when we dont even know the specs of the speakers. You pick the amp when you know what the speakers need to power them. If you have a under powered amp to get the volume you will lose high frequencies (the high school dj affect). And if you use a amp too powerful you can blow the speakers. How can you pick a amp which is good if you dont know what its got to be good with.

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53 minutes ago, EndlessOyster said:

Hold on why we all recommending amps when we dont even know the specs of the speakers. You pick the amp when you know what the speakers need to power them. If you have a under powered amp to get the volume you will lose high frequencies (the high school dj affect). And if you use a amp too powerful you can blow the speakers. How can you pick a amp which is good if you dont know what its got to be good with.

I know the speakers, i have them, but i can not find specs anywhere, as they are out of production.

 

They are "omega mini me", the guy i bought them from said they were 4 ohm, but seem to get equal loudness per volume as my 8 ohm Polk r15

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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Hmm, not sure which one. @SSL has discovered That an external dac isn't necisary, but it might be nice to have the extra features like the display and more inputs.

 

 

EDIT: hmm, tagging didnt work on mobile

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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1 hour ago, spwath said:

Hmm, not sure which one. @SSL has discovered That an external dac isn't necisary, but it might be nice to have the extra features like the display and more inputs.

 

 

EDIT: hmm, tagging didnt work on mobile

 

That's right. People over-recommend DACs to "fix" EMI and other such issues. Once that kind of stuff is no longer the problem, (cheap) DACs all sound about the same, including integrated ones.

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Just now, SSL said:

 

That's right. People over-recommend DACs to "fix" EMI and other such issues. Once that kind of stuff is no longer the problem, (cheap) DACs all sound about the same, including integrated ones.

But I may go for the one with the Dac in it, just for the mic and additional inputs.

 

Though if that is worth 30$ more, IDK...

 

It also looks like it is more powerfull, 45w vs 40w

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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I might just stick with my receiver for now. It takes up a lot of space, and the digital inputs dont work, but I already have it.

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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On 2/7/2016 at 1:09 PM, EndlessOyster said:

Hold on why we all recommending amps when we dont even know the specs of the speakers. You pick the amp when you know what the speakers need to power them. If you have a under powered amp to get the volume you will lose high frequencies (the high school dj affect). And if you use a amp too powerful you can blow the speakers. How can you pick a amp which is good if you dont know what its got to be good with.

Ok, i found out from the guy Who made them, 4 ohm, 90db sensitivity

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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I decided to take the risk and got this chinese 2.1 amp a while ago: http://www.ebay.com/itm/YJ-HiFi-TPA3116-2-1-CSR4-0-Bluetooth-4-0-Module-Digital-Amplifier-Finished-/301511859144

 

I was not able to find many 2.1 amps for a similar price so I went with it. I have not tried any other speaker amps except for the Lepai, and compared to that I like this way more. More than enough power for me and the bluetooth feature is pretty convinient. You will have to get a power supply for it which will be like $25. Amazon sells a combo: http://www.amazon.com/Baitaihem-Channel-Subwoofer-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B00Z6ID2O2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1454995186&sr=8-6&keywords=2.1+amp

 

I was planning on only using it till I got new speakers, but I don't think I will. The bluetooth is so handy when people are over and want to play their own music.

 

I have not used banana plugs, but I think you can use them if you want. 

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On 7-2-2016 at 7:09 PM, EndlessOyster said:

Hold on why we all recommending amps when we dont even know the specs of the speakers. You pick the amp when you know what the speakers need to power them. If you have a under powered amp to get the volume you will lose high frequencies (the high school dj affect). And if you use a amp too powerful you can blow the speakers. How can you pick a amp which is good if you dont know what its got to be good with.

Why would an under powered amp affect high frequency response?

'Picking a good amp' is over rated. You could hurt the speakers with a small amp, you could hurt them with a large amp.

With normal use either would work fine though. IMO over powered is the best way to go (avoids clipping and high frequency loading)

 

 

On 7-2-2016 at 10:32 PM, spwath said:

But I may go for the one with the Dac in it, just for the mic and additional inputs.

 

Though if that is worth 30$ more, IDK...

 

It also looks like it is more powerfull, 45w vs 40w

....... 

10log(45/40)=0.5dB

That's not even noticable.

This watt fetish is getting out of hand

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12 minutes ago, Lutkeveld said:

Why would an under powered amp affect high frequency response?

'Picking a good amp' is over rated. You could hurt the speakers with a small amp, you could hurt them with a large amp.

With normal use either would work fine though. IMO over powered is the best way to go (avoids clipping and high frequency loading)

 

 

....... 

10log(45/40)=0.5dB

That's not even noticable.

This watt fetish is getting out of hand

Hmm, right.

 

I'll probably just stick to my receiver for now Though.

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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10 minutes ago, Lutkeveld said:

Okay.... What was the point of this topic then?

Now, none.

 

But i was just weighing my options, needed to see what there was and how much it would cost.

But i think I'll stick with my receiver despite its large size and volume pot issues.

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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