Need an amp - Beginner

[Lewis Sheppard]

Hi guys, I'm only young (16) and looking to start my own Hi-Fi system. Obviously starting with Speakers and an amp with a 3.5mm to RCA cable for now until I can afford something better. I'm looking to buy these speakers

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00454GJNY/?tag=ho01f-21

The amp I'm looking at.

Cambridge Audio TOPAZ AM1 Black | Stereo Amplifier | Richer Sounds

Would this have enough power to use them (I'm assuming yes but I'm a noob ) and would it have enough power to play a pair of floorstanders as I get older and move out although I will probably buy a new amp.

Thanks

 

[ImcLoud]

That should be decent, if you are looking for a decent starter system, look into a lepai 2020 amplifier and a pair of Pioneer bookshelf speakers... welcome to the hobby, its a wonderful addiction, start with something small and learn to enjoy it, in no time you will be earning real money and buying what ever you want... good luck..

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I don't know how much Lepai or Pioneer speaker OP could get in europe, I would advise OP NOT to do classical audio mistake - overspending on electronics.
I would highly recommend to search for both speakers and amp on 2nd hand market - if you are careful you could truly find hidden treasure for very little money

As option b) multimedia speaker which I would recommend for small budgets are these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-MS16-Personal-Monitor-System/dp/B00181T20O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393211200&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+ms16

I have them for several years - for the money they are really nice, not as nice as real active studio monitors (MS16 they are not) but again excellent at their price

 

[Mo Noyz]

I will say that for the money, those speakers are real beauties!

 

[markw]

I have no experience with those speakers but the amp says it puts out twenty watts per channel which is a little light. For now, it should drive those speakers to "reasonable" levels in a smaller room, but don't expect window-rattling bass from that combination.

That twenty watt number will be a severe limitation on what speakers you can drive to their full potential in the future.

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

I have no experience with those speakers but the amp says it puts out twenty watts per channel which is a little light. For now, it should drive those speakers to "reasonable" levels in a smaller room, but don't expect window-rattling bass from that combination.

That twenty watt number will be a severe limitation on what speakers you can drive to their full potential in the future.

Not getting that amp now, it is pretty crap and after speaking with my dad I'd much rather get a cheaper yet much better second hand one. My dad has a quality JVC which he has paid £50 for and it's better than any budget/mid-range amp out there. Thanks for your input though

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

I will say that for the money, those speakers are real beauties!

They are really nice aren't they good specs and looks good.

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

I don't know how much Lepai or Pioneer speaker OP could get in europe, I would advise OP NOT to do classical audio mistake - overspending on electronics.
I would highly recommend to search for both speakers and amp on 2nd hand market - if you are careful you could truly find hidden treasure for very little money

As option b) multimedia speaker which I would recommend for small budgets are these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-MS16-Personal-Monitor-System/dp/B00181T20O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393211200&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+ms16

I have them for several years - for the money they are really nice, not as nice as real active studio monitors (MS16 they are not) but again excellent at their price

There is so many things and different combinations it's so hard to choose I reckon I'm going to get them speakers eventually or if they come off the sale a second hand set

 

[markw]

Not getting that amp now, it is pretty crap and after speaking with my dad I'd much rather get a cheaper yet much better second hand one. My dad has a quality JVC which he has paid £50 for and it's better than any budget/mid-range amp out there. Thanks for your input though

I wouldn't say it's "crap". It's just a low powered entry level amp with limited features. As such, it's a pretty nice amp.

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

I wouldn't say it's "crap". It's just a low powered entry level amp with limited features. As such, it's a pretty nice amp.

You can get a much better amp for cheaper second hand. It's low watt, limited input and only one pair of speakers.

 

[markw]

You can get a much better amp for cheaper second hand. It's low watt, limited input and only one pair of speakers.

I don't dispute what you say but to call it crap is totally wrong. It's a fine unit for what it was designed for.

Now, comparing it to what you can find second hand and determining it's "crap" is totally foolish. If you compare to it's competiton on the (new) market, you'll see the foolishness of your value judgment.

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

I don't dispute what you say but to call it crap is totally wrong. It's a fine unit for what it was designed for.

Now, comparing it to what you can find second hand and determining it's "crap" is totally foolish.

Fair enough. Do you recommend a second hand amp or something like this once I get rid of my JVC one (I think it is blown anyway)

 

[markw]

Fair enough. Do you recommend a second hand amp or something like this once I get rid of my JVC one (I think it is blown anyway)

You do know there's a quite a bit of water between where you are and where we are, don't you? What's on out local Craigsliet or Ebay won't do you much good.

Now, if you post what you have available on your used market, we might be able to be help but otherwise we're kind of useless.

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

You do know there's a quite a bit of water between where you are and where we are, don't you? What's on out local Craigsliet or Ebay won't do you much good.

Now, if you post what you have available on your used market, we might be able to be help but otherwise we're kind of useless.

I forgot haha.

Denon PMA-250SE Phono Integrated Amplifier | eBay

How about this? Would be able to pick up so only cost the £40.

 

[markw]

The Denon is good. 30 watts should be sufficient, although it's no powerhouse. Does it have the features you need?

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

The Denon is good. 30 watts should be sufficient, although it's no powerhouse. Does it have the features you need?

Yes I think so, enough channels and stuff. Thanks alot, I'll keep posting anymore finds if that's okay?

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

NAD C315BEE Integrated Amplifier 5703120231143 | eBay
Any good?

 

[markw]

The NAD is also good but I don't think it has a built-in phono preamp.
I have a rack full of NAD stuff myself. See here

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

The NAD is also good but I don't think it has a built-in phono preamp.
I have a rack full of NAD stuff myself. See here

What does that mean

 

[Lewis Sheppard]

Nice setups Mark.