[Veniogenesis]

Hi guys!

I'm looking to spend around $100 USD or less on a simple but good speaker amplifier for my college dorm.  I was thinking about the T-Amp, but it is sold-out at everywhere I look.  Any suggestions?

Or if there are any good receivers at around $100 or less, let me know. :p

Thanks so much!
Venio

[BradJudy]

Are you open to buying used?  I'm running a vintage Marantz on my computer setup that was inexpensive.  Something like that might be a good choice. 

[Wind Chaser]

Hold out for the T Amp.

You could try posting a wanted ad here and on Audiogon.  DIY Audio might be another good place to post the same request, although they are quite "international" in audience.


John

[kfr01]

In stock at parts express:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-956

For a college dorm, however, I think used is the way to go.

Try something with some watts.  There may be times when you need to drown out your neighbors thumping. 

Or go with a great headphone rig instead. 

[Berndt]

craigslist!

[TheChairGuy]

Hey Venio,

I have a TEAC A-L700P (a tripath amp that generates 30 watts vs. 10 watts from the Sonic Impact unit) available here gathering dust in excellent condition.

The Sonic Impact unit is best with a regulated AC power supply or sealed lead acid DC battery.  The TEAC needs some kind of power conditioning to excel (the more the better, and balanced power makes it almost a miracle at it's price) - otherwise it's mighty average sounding.

You didn't mention if you have a pre-amp already, but both T amps sound best with one - bypassing the internal volume control by setting it to max and using the preamp to attenuate the signal.

But, the power differential is substantial...and the TEAC has three channels if you need them (currently configured with two channels...the 'center' board has been removed to ease strain on undersized power supply)

$95.00 + shipping takes it if you want...just PM me for details, etc.  It has original box and what TEAC calls a manual....I'd call Kleenex ;>)

[Tubo]

I'm looking to spend around $100 USD or less on a simple but good speaker amplifier for my college dorm.  I was thinking about the T-Amp, but it is sold-out at everywhere I look.

Parts Express seems to have them:

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&DID=7&WebPage_ID=3

[IanVan]

College dorm? You need some power.

The Behringer A-500 is a great, hi-fidelity power amp for $135:

http://www.audiolines.com/product.php?productid=12906&cat=0&page=1

[powderific]

College dorm? You need some power.

The Behringer A-500 is a great, hi-fidelity power amp for $135:

http://www.audiolines.com/product.php?productid=12906&cat=0&page=1

That looks like a great deal, any reviews/info on that unit? I'm running a pair of Selah Audio RC3R's right now and I've been told that my Harman Kardon receiver might not have enough oomph to get the best out of them.

[pekar]

Try the Motorola dcp501's being blown out on Ebay for about $100 shipped.
tripath sound, dvd, cd, tuner, more in one big box.

[OTL]

Here's a very inexpensive option....This was my intro into the high end driving a pair of smooth sounding ADS 810's.  Just make sure you're tweets are polite.  1970's Citation gear lasts just about forever.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harmon-Kardon-Citation-Twelve-Deluxe-Stereo-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ180021392134QQihZ008QQcategoryZ50593QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[IanVan]

College dorm? You need some power.

The Behringer A-500 is a great, hi-fidelity power amp for $135:

http://www.audiolines.com/product.php?productid=12906&cat=0&page=1

That looks like a great deal, any reviews/info on that unit? I'm running a pair of Selah Audio RC3R's right now and I've been told that my Harman Kardon receiver might not have enough oomph to get the best out of them.

The Behringer A500 measures, and tests, very well - http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17004

Although the low price at Audiolines is misleading, as they have insane shipping charges. You are looking at more like $200 for the amp from a reputable daler

[kenscott30]

I like http://diyparadise.com/charlize.html  It will take a little work to make noise :^)

Best of luck.

ken

[JLM]

Horrible noise/room acoustics in dorms, not much space to work with, and tons of electronics gets stolen out of dorms every year.  I'd invest in better earbuds/headphones.  (You're a college kid and into music, so you must have an MP3 player, right?)

Back when I was in college (soon after paper and pencil were invented, thank God for that - those stone tablets were murder and don't get me started on those brittle clay tablets) I used headphones for a year while saving for my first audiophile (eyes weeping in bitter sweet memories) speakers.  Also made for better neighborhood relations.

[woodsyi]

Back when I was in college (soon after paper and pencil were invented, thank God for that - those stone tablets were murder and don't get me started on those brittle clay tablets) I used headphones for a year while saving for my first audiophile (eyes weeping in bitter sweet memories) speakers.  Also made for better neighborhood relations.

Only one problem.  How do you have a romantic tryst in your room with candlelight, wine and mood enhancing music if you only have headphones? 

[boead]

Kyocera made a line of Hi End amps, integrated/tuner (they refused to call it a receiver!) back in the early 80’s that was astonishing! Seriously made and competed with McIntosh. When buying an audiophile amp back then I listened to lots of high end amps that were popular at the time; Aragon, Forte, McIntosh, Counterpoint, and on the lower end, Adcom and NAD. The Kyocera absolutely floored most of them!  I paid $800 (list was $1000) for a 65wpc MOSFET receiver back in 1984 and I still have it today. Everything on it is a gem; its tuner is great, headphone section is excellent and its uses gold and platinum pots and toroidal transformers.
I’ve seen them sell on eBay for a $100 or more and it’s the absolute bargain of the century but apparently no body knows it.

This is the one I have the model R-861:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KYOCERA-R-861-TUNER-AMP-W-MATCHING-CD-PLAYER-VINTAGE_W0QQitemZ250025123114QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3282QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The CDP was good at the time but old tech by today’s standards.

Their turntables are still sought after but some who know the value.

Kyocera HiEnd has not been available in the US for many years (since the late 80’s) but is still serviceable in NJ but trust me, it’ll never need servicing!

[jon_010101]

 A cheap option which I went for in college was the Audiosource Amp One.  An excellent amplifier for the under-$100 going price, used.