[FOUND] Help an Audio Newbie Find a Cheap Amplifier

tomclancy on 08/04/2019 - 00:15
Last edited 08/04/2019 - 11:12 by 1 other user

First off, I have absolutely no idea about audio or hifi equipment. My TV is a basic one and I want to keep things simple so I'd rather not go down the path of an AV receiver etc.

So onto my story…

Last week I saw a neighbour put out a Bose surround sound system for hard rubbish colelction. I asked them about it and they said in the recent storms they had a power surge which knocked out the sub unit (P28 III) and it doesn't turn on anymore. The sub powers the satellites. I brought it all in anyway and cleaned it up thinking I might be able to do something useful with it.

A bit of research suggests it's near impossible to repair the sub so I'm left with 4x satellite speakers - these Bose Double Cube Acoustimass except the cable ends have RCA connectors. When I plug them directly into the L-R audio out on my TV they play sound extremely faintly. Whilst I'm content with my basic TV sound, I also think it might be cool to have a couple of extra front speakers and maybe they'll sound better?

Question: how can I get these speakers putting out full volume on the cheap? Like $25 or less??? I don't want an extra remote control so a simple inline 2 channel amplifier would be ideal. I researched and I found a $16 preamp but would something like this have enough power?

• 

  AdosHouse on 08/04/2019 - 01:21

  +2

  At most that pre-amp will put out AT BEST 4.5w, so no, it will not do. Also 50 kilo-ohm resistence? I don't think it will make any noise.

  • 

    vinni9284 on 08/04/2019 - 07:00

    +1

    Agree.
    The TV will not input enough RCA voltage to power the speakers via the RCA speaker input connections.
    Cheers

  • 

    tomclancy on 08/04/2019 - 11:03

    Thanks for the technical info - that's what I was hoping to get, a definitive response. Oh well they're going on eBay then!

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  vinni9284 on 08/04/2019 - 06:55

  +2

  I know you mentioned that you don't want an AV receiver however I would suggest to get one second hand off Gumtree for $100 (Low end Pioneer, Onkyo or Yamaha that has HDMI)

  You need the speakers to be amplified as the RCA voltage of the TV is not good enough to power the speakers.

  TV -> out HDMI ARC-> Av receiver HDMI in (TV/VCR) -> AV receiver Speaker L/R out to Bose Cubes.
  The good thing about this connection, you don't need the latest and greatest AV receiver if you have a 4K TV.

  The RCA ends can be cut and you will have two speaker wires for each of the cube speakers

  IMO, if you want to restore the Bose system, it is not worth it unless you find the sub/amp module controller really cheap.

  The Bose speakers are nice and have respectable sound but they are nothing special as I have the same.

  Cheers

  • 

    tomclancy on 08/04/2019 - 10:59

    Yeah I was hoping not to have an extra remote control but it sounds like that's not possible. Our humble TV is enough for us but thanks anyway for your input. I'll be going with brad1-8tsi's option below

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  brad1-8tsi on 08/04/2019 - 08:01

  +1

  Ebay the speakers

  • 

    tomclancy on 08/04/2019 - 11:02

    I think you're spot on!

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  apple2016 on 08/04/2019 - 10:50

  +1

  For $25 you would have to check at vinnies / garage sales etc. There are a few FB buy-sel groups for hifi where you might be able to find a reasonable amp for less. Good luck!…

  • 

    tomclancy on 08/04/2019 - 11:01

    Thanks but sounds like best just to eBay the speakers as brad1-8tsi's mentions above. I was hoping I could keep it simple/minimilast without a proper amp as we are not an audiophile family and barely watch TV anyway.

    Oh well, hopfully pick up a few dollars and learned a bit along the way!