Small 2-channel integrated amp

Carlman · « **on:** 22 Sep 2005, 05:54 pm »

Please list any suggestions for a small, integrated amp (or receiver) for under $200. I need to power a set of outdoor speakers that aren't particularly efficient or inefficient (89db) but they like a little power.

I wish there was a simple 2-channel digital amp with 1 source and a volume knob for very cheap out there... Is there something cheap I could build?

I will be connecting either a Squeezebox or a wireless transmitter device to this thing. If it's a receiver, great.. there will be a radio.. nice bonus.

I'll probably need to build or buy 2 of these since a friend of mine has the same need.

Thanks,
Carl

John151 · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 06:24 pm »

Check into Audio Source - they make several small amps that are decent sounding, and very affordable. This is what powers my patio speakers (using the Zone 2 feature of my AVR as the Pre).

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 06:32 pm »

Carl,

The little (Tripath) TEAC A-L700P at $99 has 30 BIG watts...driving my Maggies very suitably. It has volume controls for L-R-C (it's a 3 channel amp, standard)...but I understand it's pretty horrible. I have it 'full-on' with a preamp controlling volume now.

But, it's $99 and your speakers are outside...maybe that's all you need.

I think those Endler passive (one input) attenuators are $160 or so...not much over your budget for something of great quality.

Then again, there is the JVC Hybrid Digital receivers. Oodles of inputs, but standout is DVD Multi In. I think both the F10 (drives 4ohm) and ES1sl (better sounding, but cannot drive tricky loads) are around that $200 mark...and you get FM as a kicker (ES1sl has nice FM...F10 has about the worse FM ever)

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 07:04 pm »

Shameless plug....

The HK amp I have up for sale would work nicely for this but isn't a small form factor if that is what you were looking for. It can be configured as 2x100w or 4x45w. It has a "gain" control on the back near the input that I have used as a volume control and it doesn't suck, just a typically pot.

Anyway, no matter what you use, probably the best volume control scheme is to figure out how loud you'll ever want the system and then fit a resistor inline with the amp so that volume all the way up is this loud. Then you can use the volume in the SB2 without detriment.

I have not heard the JVC or the TEAC, but based on my previous experience with digital amps, they err on the colder side and the HK errs on the warm side. The HK isn't super ultra resolving (its sins aren't commissions) but for outside listening I don't think I'd want that anyway, especially since party music is probably going to make up a decent amount of the play time.

BradJudy · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 07:31 pm »

PartsExpress has a few two-channel pro audio amps that fit the bill, or there are the cheap stereo receivers of the world (TEAC, Sherwood, Onkyo, Sony). jr.com has a good selection of cheap stereo receivers (looks like 8 models under $200).

Carlman · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 07:36 pm »

Thanks for the fast and excellent replies and suggestions.

I think the Audiosource amp-100 fits the bill... it has volume control and is only 9.25" deep. It'll fit the space perfectly and I can set the volume and control the SB2.... Cool!

Thanks again,
Carl

avalon65 · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 08:14 pm »

Carl/John/All,

Slightly off topic, but what outdoor speakers are you using? I have an older Yamaha receiver that is powering garage speakers. I'm thinking of using the second set of speaker outs and mounting a pair of white outdoor speaker under the soffet of my patio. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it under a $100 for the pair if possible. Onix has something close.

Hanx!

John151 · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 08:20 pm »

I have speakers that are integrated into plastic flower pots (created by the company that invented the fake rocks w/speakers). Cool idea, but they are lousy for flowers, and the sound is mediocre (they need to be cranked to sound good, which I rarely do outside).

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 08:38 pm »

Carl,

I think the new Audiosource products are mere cosmetic updates of earlier Amp 1, 2 and 3 (now Amp 100, 200, 300).

The old line was made in Taiwan...the new ones probably China. Not that that factor into quality or sound...just that the name change may not be much more than that...a name change and change of factories.

I had the (their) top-of-the-line Amp3 (150w and 400w mono) and both JVC's sounded far better bone stock. Use the volume wide open if you get one...the volume control is terrible. It made a terrific (passive) subwoofer amp for the money, tho.

I've found the same thing as Josh on digi amps...a bit cool sounding. But, the JVC and TEAC (Tripath) have somewhat similar architectures and sound altogther different. A bit 'Warmer' than the full-blooded digital brethen I've heard (Sony, ICEPower, maybe others can't remember)

Carlman · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 08:52 pm »

I have strange little speakers that I bought from ebay. I replaced the drivers with some car speakers that are OK but aren't great.... I plan to replace them with something else nicer next year but they're OK for now.... I haven't heard better than the original rock speakers that are installed commercially at upscale malls and such. I don't know who makes the ones I've heard but I'm very impressed by them. I've heard a number of outdoor speakers that failed to impress, though... from Infinity, Bose, JBL, and some other cheapies.

The planter idea sounds good... I saw some at Best Buy but the sound quality wasn't good after I hooked them. It's amazing how much you can get away with at a Best Buy. I just took one off the shelf and wired it to a receiver that was lying around and no one asked me any questions.

I think the rock speakers I liked are probably expensive... like $400+ each. Since these are on a deck, rocks don't really 'blend'. The planter makes more sense to me but the speaker is facing down or 'omnidirectional' which menas, it's facing up or down with a piece of plastic in front of it... so it won't sound as good.

So, post any good findings if you find some nice outdoor speakers.

srb · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 09:00 pm »

The Audiosource Amp 1 was quoted as 80W RMS/ch @ 8ohm, the Amp 100 is quoted as 50W/ch @ 8ohm.

The Amp 1 had both a Left and Right Volume control (a hassle if you will use them to change volume, rather than just initially calibrate). On the Audiosource website, the text says the Amp 100 has a Volume and Balance control - much better, but I have not found a large enough photo to verify the front panel.

More importantly, in an outdoor open air environment, I think tone controls would be extremely nice to have.

The Cambridge Audio Azur 340A is a nice clean integrated, but it is over $200 and also just over 12" deep, if that is a concern.

JoshK · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 09:23 pm »

Rock speaker like these?

Made by Omage, can be bought inexpensively at mastervox.com. I have a pair of $90 bookshelf Omages that aren't bad.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 10:01 pm »

Pricey, but I understand top-notch (as were their indoor speaker division a few years back - now no more)

http://www.nearspeakers.com/rocks.html

Carlman · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Sep 2005, 11:38 pm »

The NEAR's look very similar.... the little holes look exactly the same. I don't know how much they are but I'm guessing 400+...

I'm not going to rule out a cheap digital receiver... I'm irritated that my $35 receiver doesn't fit.... especially since I'm the one that didn't bother to measure.

-C

ryno · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Sep 2005, 01:22 am »

I bought an amp100, six months ago for ~100, ebay I think. It does have separate volume and balance knobs on the front, two inputs with auto switching, two speaker outputs with front panel switching. Perfect for my zone 2. Except, a month ago the fuse blew, and new fuses blow as soon as the unit is pluged in, doesn't even need to be turned on. My dad has an amp 1 running 4 pairs of outdoor speaks for six mo with no problems.
Ryan

beatdownvictim · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Sep 2005, 05:55 am »

Carlman, I can get a Panasonic XR-SA15 for 210 cdn, and that thing is absolutely puny. I'd be willing to get that for ya for whatever it costs me. I'm bargaining with these dudes down at this audioshop. I'm hoping that if i got the receiver for you, it'd help me negotiate for a pair of speakers i want. PM me if you're interested. I'll scan the invoice for you to show you the price of the unit. I have no problems doing favours for AC'ers.

Regards,
BDV

Gordy · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Sep 2005, 06:41 am »

You could fit a chip amp into just about anything... http://www.chipamp.com/