Was using old Marantz amp and B&W DM 302 speakers connected to PC. Worked great but amplifier needs replacing. Not sure what to get.
If I should go for a cheap used amp/receiver or get one of those cheap 2 channel mini stereo hifi amps that will also do the job? To continue using the speakers with the computer.
not a fan of headphones.
why
People are allowed to have choices and preferences.
Just get a 2.1 sound system from the market place.
1997 article, those speakers have had a good life. says they handle 100W continuous, so I'd go a second hand amp.
My PC connected amp and speakers are similar vintage; Boston 2-way bookshelf's bought from Brashs' when they were in liquidation and a hand me down XMS amp (maybe a Strathfield product?). There's also a 5 disc changer connected, but cannot remember the last time it was used
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OP, depending on your budget.
I hear good things about Fosi amps. eg. Fosi Audio DA2120A
See a review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlzMolveGFc
I have a Fosi Audio BT30D, which has an output for a sub-woofer. I would recommend the 2.0 version, an added advantage is Bluetooth.
These are quite compact. A used amp is likely to be big, heavy, power hungry and have snap, crackle and pop noises.
….spoken like someone who has no idea.
ive been running vintage amps for 30 years with much success….mainly technics (over 6 integrated amps), yamaha, NAD etc on Floor Stander, Bookshelf Speakers Subs and combos of the aforementioned
….the self proclaimed experts here are quite amusing. LOL!
Seems I have the same idea. You have upvoted Morien and also suggested a 2 channel mini stereo hifi amp.
@Baysew: lol….ignore the big bit where you totally dump on vintage amps, just to save face….
admit it you have no idea about audio….and that is reflected in your statement about 'used amps'. its 100% BS.
seriously whoever you are, baysew you are one of a kind! keep up the good work capitalising letters & editing titles for free champ!
@franco cozzo: I'm suggesting cheap 2 channel mini stereo Hi-Fi amps over a cheap used amp/receivers. I'm not dumping on vintage amps, that isn't what the OP is looking for.
seriously whoever you are, baysew you are one of a kind! keep up the good work capitalising letters & editing titles for free champ!
Sounds like profile stalking.
@Baysew: also this community is full of profile stalking…its a repugnant & really silly, juvenile way of making a point…
as soon as i see that crap i just ignore everything else that person is posting because its clear that its the only way they can make a retort.
@Baysew: also im running a Technics Integrated Amp, a Yamaha 5.1 Receiver and a NAD 3020i on 3 different setups and absolutely zero snap, crackle and pop noises
you want them to be somewhat 'power hungry' so you can play them louder without distortion and to drive bigger speakers
Agreed !
Vintage or older used amps are the way to go !
My big boy Rotel and many others over the years have performed amazingly and have been wallet friendly.
Get yourself something of quality second hand.
@ModdySwag: Thats what I was leaning towards. A cheap used amp. Seen a few up to around $100. Mostly older AV receivers. Nothing that realy appeals to me yet.
I was also considering those mini amps but I've never used them before. So no idea how good they are. As I've reads many don't come close to there advertised rating or have decent sound outpuit and build quality.
@g12345567: if you want to upgrade speakers in the future i recommend it….you wont have to buy another amp, when you do.
@ModdySwag: lol…ive never paid more than a hundred for my integrated amps & receivers (im lucky when it comes to buying audio)
all of my gear has been in very good to excellent condition from owners that cared for their audio equipment (tip: if it looks like its been cared for then its probably in good working nic')
i picked up my mint NAD 3020i for $40….and you can hear it from half way down the street :)
the douk that was posted here looked pretty good for up to 50W setup
or hang on…did i find that somewhere else….??
anyway loook at this:
Douk ST-01
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol_JNCIyqi8
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003166879691.html?pdp_np…
Yamaha WXA 50.
As someone with a decent pedigree in the area over my life, it's about matching your components like links in a chain - i.e no point having a best in world stereo amplifier if your source is rubbish.
So given your speakers and source I'd say a stereo 'mini' 2 channel amplifer would be a smart choice & match your system very well.
FWIW I purchased one of these a while back and was astonished by the abilities it has for such a low price, Aiyima A07:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000436967601.html?spm=a2g0o…
There's a lot of incredibly positive reviews on it: https://youtu.be/kQ1UT6pDbqE
It was the 'value'/entry level champ for quite a while - depends on your budget but I'd suggest paying more with your components won't give any better results.
You have to buy your PSU separate - pretty easily done - loads of info out there on it - but I can fully endorse this lil D class as a superb buy.
As someone with a decent pedigree in the area over my life
Is that where your username has come from?
The CheapAudioMan has the OzBargain vibe about spending money.
cheap 2 channel mini stereo hifi amps that will also do the job?
I'd look at something like this. It's just a system connected to PC audio out, so not exactly audiophile nervosa territory. Small Class D amp with lots of output- I've used SMSL for this and a couple of bookshelf speakers. Can't remember the model, but casework is quite nice and it had Bluetooth for connecting to phones.
I don't know what your idea of "cheap used" amps are, but if you're thinking big old vintage stuff, there's a trade-off with size and heat (vintage is likely to be Class A and hot). This is more the domain of budget/enthusiast audiophile snob stuff and a bit out of place connected to a PC and modestly sized speakers. But I see there's a whole sub argument between a couple other people, so not really going there :)
What about one of these?
https://voll.com.au/product-category/amplifiers/
Found them from the Voll subwoofer post, which also seems like great value.
Just buy some headphones