Good amp at around 100-300?

EZHusky · « **on:** 14 May 2018, 11:21 pm »

Whats a good amp that puts out around 15/50w for someone on a budget (A highschooler's budget)? I was looking at the 25w Stereo Hybrid Tube Amp from Monoprice https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=109&cp_id=10919&cs_id=1091903&p_id=13194&seq=1&format=2#qaTab.
does anyone know of one that might be better or deliver the same sound for cheaper, and can someone also tell me what a hybrid tube amp is?

fredgarvin · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 May 2018, 04:46 am »

hey EZ, I can personally recommend the Musical Paradise 301 mk3. It's a bit more, but they offer refurbished units for under $300. All tube. you would need fairly efficient speakers, these put out 6.5 watts a side. Also, the headphone amp is very good.

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=54

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 May 2018, 12:44 pm »

Welcome!

Hybrid refers to having a mix of technologies. Normally for amps that means tubes in the preamp section and solid state in the power amp section. The tube(s) is/are used to flavor the sound (at lower prices typically adds warmth and soften/tame roughness that is common with associated budget sounding gear) while the solid state is cheaper and provides good damping (avoid flabby bass found in many older/cheaper tube amps).

Search Audio Circle for "Topping". Here's one with two inputs that fits your criteria (don't know much about it):

https://www.parts-express.com/topping-tp60-t-amp-tripath-ta2022-50wpc-(80wpc-4-ohm)-mini-amplifier--310-326

AJinFLA · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 May 2018, 01:07 pm »

Quote from: EZHusky on 14 May 2018, 11:21 pm

Whats a good amp that puts out around 15/50w for someone on a budget (A highschooler's budget)? I was looking at the 25w Stereo Hybrid Tube Amp from Monoprice https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=109&cp_id=10919&cs_id=1091903&p_id=13194&seq=1&format=2#qaTab.
does anyone know of one that might be better or deliver the same sound for cheaper, and can someone also tell me what a hybrid tube amp is?

If you are on a budget, stay away from inexpensive tubes anything. I have plenty of inexpensive hybrid amps like the Monoprice...and eventually, those tubes, even at the pre stage, act up. If you enjoy the hassle, then by all means...
For <$100 these will give you plenty of clean power for just about any speaker, including small low sensitivity bookshelfs https://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp7498e-200w-class-d-stereo-amplifier-with-bluetooth-aptx-and-power-supply--310-298
And of course stream via bluetooth from phone, etc.

maty · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 May 2018, 03:06 pm »

Do not buy this 25 Watt Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier with Bluetooth and clonesssssssssssss

Why?

[Polish] https://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/wzmacniacze-stereo/2387-taga-harmony-hta-25

To English

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pl&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Faudio.com.pl%2Ftesty%2Fstereo%2Fwzmacniacze-stereo%2F2387-taga-harmony-hta-25

maty · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 May 2018, 03:08 pm »

Other hybrid but > $300

[Polish] https://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/wzmacniacze-stereo/2846-taga-harmony-hta-700b-v2

To English with Google

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=pl&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=https%3A%2F%2Faudio.com.pl%2Ftesty%2Fstereo%2Fwzmacniacze-stereo%2F2846-taga-harmony-hta-700b-v2&edit-text=&act=url

RDavidson · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 May 2018, 03:14 pm »

Get an old NAD 3020. Great sound. Built-in phono (if you want to get into vinyl). Darn near indestructible too. Old school cool.

maty · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 May 2018, 03:14 pm »

Wich speakers? Sensitivity and minimum impedance?

With high sensitivity, maybe the Musical Paradise.

EZHusky · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 May 2018, 03:56 pm »

Quote from: maty on 15 May 2018, 03:14 pm

Wich speakers? Sensitivity and minimum impedance?

With high sensitivity, maybe the Musical Paradise.

The speakers are gr-research lgk 1.0, I don't exactly know the specifics on them though

Early B. · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 May 2018, 04:01 pm »

It will be tough to find a better amp in your price range than this one:

https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/a-100

maty · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 May 2018, 04:12 pm »

http://gr-research.com/lgk10kit.aspx

Bamboo LGK 1.0 build https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=133131.0

http://www.diyaudioblog.com/2015/01/gr-research-lgk-10-full-range-speaker.html

About 86 dB and 6 ohms.

The impedance graph is good. Off course, Danny Ritchie design.

Nearfield with computer?

The best idea is to ask to Danny at their circle.

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=16.0

-> Here: https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=157413.0

maty · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 May 2018, 04:15 pm »

Distance to speaker?

If Emotiva, much better idea the A150 $299

https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/a-150

https://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Audio-stereo-power-amplifier/product-reviews/B06XSCCVV1/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_rvwer?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

Quote

Signal to Noise Ratio (8 Ohm load):
> 120 dB; ref rated power; (A-weighted).
> 100 dB; ref 1 watt; (A-weighted).

Minimum Recommended Load Impedance (per channel): 4 Ohms
(which equals one 4 Ohm load or two paralleled 8 Ohm loads).

Gain: 29 dB.

But you want an integrated and not a poweramp.

Ask Danny.

maty · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 May 2018, 04:44 pm »

By the way, graph -> speakers is 8 Ohms. It is bad idea an old class D amplifier I think.

maty · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 May 2018, 04:55 pm »

In Europe, with 230 Vac, the Onkyo 9010 UK Edition is the best option < $300. But you must live in USA.

[PDF] http://www.uk.onkyo.com/downloads/2/7/9/0/0/ONKYO_A-9010_datasheet_UK_Version.pdf

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Onkyo-A-9010-UK-Integrated-Amplifier/product-reviews/B00SH2JSJW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_rvwer?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

Only Onkyo 9010 is other story

https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-A-9010-Integrated-Stereo-Amplifier/product-reviews/B00SY20TE8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_rvwer?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

EZHusky · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 May 2018, 05:08 pm »

Quote from: maty on 15 May 2018, 04:15 pm

Distance to speaker?

If Emotiva, much better idea the A150 $299

https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/a-150

https://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Audio-stereo-power-amplifier/product-reviews/B06XSCCVV1/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_rvwer?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=avp_only_reviews&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

But you want an integrated and not a poweramp.

Ask Danny.

What is the difference between an integrated and a Poweramp?

maty · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 May 2018, 05:10 pm »

With poweramp you need a preamplifier or DAC with preamplifier. Volume, output select....

Do you have a DAC USB?

EZHusky · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 May 2018, 05:14 pm »

Quote from: maty on 15 May 2018, 05:10 pm

With poweramp you need a preamplifier or DAC with preamplifier. Volume, output select....

Do you have a DAC USB?

Planning on getting one

maty · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 May 2018, 05:28 pm »

I know the answer!

But first: which type of music you want to play? Very important question.

Tyson · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 May 2018, 05:33 pm »

Quote from: EZHusky on 15 May 2018, 05:08 pm

What is the difference between an integrated and a Poweramp?

Integrated amp means you get a volume control and the ability to plug in multiple sources. A power amp has no volume or source switching abilities.

And I agree, you want an integrated amp, they are definitely the best bang for the buck.

For a USB DAC I really like the iFi gear, they do a great job because they focus very strongly on sound quality.

EZHusky · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 May 2018, 05:41 pm »

Quote from: maty on 15 May 2018, 05:28 pm

I know the answer!

But first: which type of music you want to play? Very important question.

I listen to a very wide variety, most common is probably rap, people like Aesop rock, cage, and Dre, then got stuff like damon albarn, blur, Arctic monkeys, and gorrilaz