A quick, cheap way to power bookshelf speakers

[allforthename]

Hi all! Ok, so I decided to throw together a cheap projector/DVD set up for my kids to watch movies on the garage door when it warms up (it's going to be 78 degrees here in SoCal this week, btw. So... soon.)

I'm doing everything very cheap - old projector on Craigslist, DVD player from goodwill for $12, and a couple of sony bookshelf speakers for $15. But I'm home now and realizing my error; that the speakers don't power themselves, and the DVD player isn't a receiver, so I'm not getting any sound from them.

What's the cheapest way to power the speakers and be able to adjust volume? Is there a kind of small amp I can buy to do that? Or would I be better off just eating the $27 I spent on the DVD player/speakers and get an all-in-one DVD player/speaker system from the thrift store?

Thanks in advance for any help/thoughts!!

 

[Adam]

You can definitely buy small amps that will do that (like this one). For the cost of that amp, though, you could buy a receiver like this one. You're best bet might be to check Craigslist for a used receiver. You might find one pretty cheap.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

like this one:
Denon Receiver AVR-50

the only place i found some specs for it:
Denon AVR50 (1996 Home Receiver) - Audio/Video Component Archive - EGrabow HD

or like this one:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ele/2764733705.html

 

[markw]

Depending on where you are, how much of a rush you're in, and what you want, older stereo, and AV, receivers pop up quite often on local Craigslists, garage sales and swap meets.

 

[sholling]

Where in SoCal? I'd check CraigsList for a $50-75 receiver.

 

[allforthename]

Great help!! Thanks! After these posts I went to Goodwill and found a Yamaha receiver for $30! Perfect.

Thank you