New here, help me choose a 2 channel amp!

keanej6 · « **on:** 5 Apr 2007, 10:35 pm »

Hey all.

I bought a pair of JBL control 1 xtreme bookshelf speakers a while back. http://www.jbl.com/home/products/product_detail.aspx?prod=CONTROL1XTREME&Language=ENG&Country=US&Region=USA&cat=BFS&ser=COS

I was going to power them with my brother's old KLH receiver but it sounds awful. So now i need a new amp. I was looking at http://www.audiosource.net/2005/amponea.html. I know it's not high end, i just want a cheap amp that will power my speakers ok. I do my critical listening through my headphone setup. Any recommendations?

WEEZ · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 10:42 pm »

Looks like it'll do the job. How much does it cost, may I ask?

Welcome to AC

, btw

WEEZ

keanej6 · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 10:47 pm »

it's really cheap, that's what caught my attention.

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00026BQJ6/ref=s9_asin_image_2-hf_favarpcbss_2238_p/002-9643306-8363263?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0698N7MG3KV1T06GSFVN&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240701&pf_rd_i=507846

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 10:58 pm »

Can't go wrong for $100.00 Plus Amazon has a great return policy.
If you decide not to get this one I suggest you look at the Behringer A-500 amp at Parts Express.

Cheers
Charlie

jkelly · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 11:04 pm »

Can I ask if you ever heard them sound good and what amp was driving them?

Jeff

WEEZ · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 11:05 pm »

Parts Express has a Sherwood 2ch Receiver for $80 bucks too.....

Hi dad, er...Charles

WEEZ

mjosef · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Apr 2007, 11:18 pm »

The Audiosource amp is good at the price point, I have the 80w X 2 model. It should drive that JBL speaker just fine.

BubbleChamber · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Apr 2007, 06:44 pm »

If you want something cheap and decent, I would suggest getting the T-Amp, a decent power supply(>3 Amp) and a mini-RCA adapter. Total cost of around $50. I have one hooked up in my office connecting to a pair of Canton mini bookshelves. Sounds pretty nice.

Obad_Imports · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 May 2007, 02:24 pm »

Try the Trends TA-10.1

http://www.musical.ca/catalog/item/4377302/4344389.htm

doug s. · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 May 2007, 12:07 am »

i second the trends, based upon a buddy of mine who likes his, & said it outperformed the sonic-t. he sent me this interesting "shootout":

http://www.stereomojo.com/SHOOTOUT2007INTEGRATEDS.htm

doug s.

Quote from: Obad_Imports on 6 May 2007, 02:24 pm

Try the Trends TA-10.1

http://www.musical.ca/catalog/item/4377302/4344389.htm

enrique · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 May 2007, 12:34 am »

can someone explain how a 15w amp like the trends is any good as compared to a regular amp like rotel,audio refinement etc.Or even the amp i'm actually interested in the red dragon which is i believe 125w.

doug s. · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 May 2007, 12:49 am »

because it sounds better?

seriously, if your speakers are efficient enough &/or you room is not huge, 15wpc may be all the power you need. then, it's up to how you like the amp as it performs driving your speakers.

i found that review i quoted pretty interesting, since the speakers used are the ls6's, designed by gr-research's dannie richie; & also included in the shoot-out are the well-thought-of nuforce amps - both these companies get a lot of press here on a/c.

doug s.

Quote from: enrique on 7 May 2007, 12:34 am

can someone explain how a 15w amp like the trends is any good as compared to a regular amp like rotel,audio refinement etc.Or even the amp i'm actually interested in the red dragon which is i believe 125w.

Gordy · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 May 2007, 01:13 am »

Obad, have you read this sticky? http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=36051.0

PhishPhan · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 May 2007, 01:33 am »

Quote from: enrique on 7 May 2007, 12:34 am

can someone explain how a 15w amp like the trends is any good as compared to a regular amp like rotel,audio refinement etc.Or even the amp i'm actually interested in the red dragon which is i believe 125w.

It's about quality over quantity.

doug s. · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 May 2007, 02:29 am »

i got interested in this trends amp - sucked into the internet again!

anyway, there's an interesting review of the trends on 6moons, & links to a guy who mods them, as well as a shop where you can buy the amps awreddy modded, or mod kits, if you wanna save a few dollars & diy. (they also sell other t-amps & mod kits for them.) the full-zoot modded to the max trends amp sells for $279...

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trends/ta10.html

http://www.michael.mardis.com/sonic/start.html

http://www.audiomagus.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=2&flypage=shop.flypage_modern&product_id=20&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27

http://www.audiomagus.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=14&Itemid=59

myself, i think i will still stick w/tubes - i *did* try a sharp digital amp, & it was excellent. but tubes are better, imo...

doug s.

enrique · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 May 2007, 02:29 pm »

Quote from: doug s. on 7 May 2007, 12:49 am

because it sounds better? seriously, if your speakers are efficient enough &/or you room is not huge, 15wpc may be all the power you need. then, it's up to how you like the amp as it performs driving your speakers.

i found that review i quoted pretty interesting, since the speakers used are the ls6's, designed by gr-research's dannie richie; & also included in the shoot-out are the well-thought-of nuforce amps - both these companies get a lot of press here on a/c.

doug s.

Quote from: enrique on 7 May 2007, 12:34 am
can someone explain how a 15w amp like the trends is any good as compared to a regular amp like rotel,audio refinement etc.Or even the amp i'm actually interested in the red dragon which is i believe 125w.

well my room is 21 x19 my speakers are System Audios they are 4-8ohm w/90db using a rotel rsx1056.Is a little amp like that or even a red dragon going to do anything for me.Sorry for the ignorance.

doug s. · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 May 2007, 03:49 pm »

imo, the 10-15wpc of the trends amp will be marginal in a 19x21 room w/90db-efficient speakers. it will be ok, but you may have issues if you wanna crank it up.

i am not familiar w/the red dragon amp, tho i have read a couple positive things about it... its power should be more than sufficient, tho. personally, i would go for tubes, depending on your budget. as low as 20-25w of tube power would be ok, but i would think 40w would be better...

hth,

doug s.

Quote from: enrique on 7 May 2007, 02:29 pm

can someone explain how a 15w amp like the trends is any good as compared to a regular amp like rotel,audio refinement etc.Or even the amp i'm actually interested in the red dragon which is i believe 125w.

[/quote]well my room is 21 x19 my speakers are System Audios they are 4-8ohm w/90db using a rotel rsx1056.Is a little amp like that or even a red dragon going to do anything for me.Sorry for the ignorance.
[/quote]

robert1325 · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 May 2007, 04:04 pm »

Yeah,

The trends really rocks with efficient speakers... I tried some 90db minimonitors (8ohm) and it did sound nice at low volumes...

enrique · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 May 2007, 04:30 pm »

The red dragon is 105w they are monoblocks so i would obviously need 2.I saw a pr that's available but now i'm torn between the red dragon and an audio refinement multi3 which is 125 x3.I'm looking for a cool running and low profile that basically coukld be hidden.But to be honest my rotel has been doing fine on it's own.I dont want to buy something that if i will not need it and there wont be any difference.any duggestions?

doug s. · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 May 2007, 04:56 pm »

buy used, so you can try different gear, then sell what comes in second, w/o taking a financial beating...

doug s.

Quote from: enrique on 7 May 2007, 04:30 pm

The red dragon is 105w they are monoblocks so i would obviously need 2.I saw a pr that's available but now i'm torn between the red dragon and an audio refinement multi3 which is 125 x3.I'm looking for a cool running and low profile that basically coukld be hidden.But to be honest my rotel has been doing fine on it's own.I dont want to buy something that if i will not need it and there wont be any difference.any duggestions?