a simple stereo amp with sub out

[gpost3]

yup just looking for a stereo amp with analog or digital input without video features. Preferably a bit slimmer (will sit on table top) with good acoustics. Remote not necessary. Price not a problem. Will be used with computer as the source. Can either have analog inputs and/or digital inputs (either or works too - doesn't need to have both).

 

[markw]

If you can accept the fact that speaker level connections to a subwoofer work just fine stereo usage, virtually any stereo amp, new or vintage, will fit your needs.

 

[bikemig]

I'm thinking about getting a stereo amp/receiver as well and I'm leaning towards the Outlaw 2150 because it has bass management for a sub (which matters to me) and a usb input for computer input (which matters but not as much since I think the SQ will be better from a stand along dac). That runs around $700. If price isn't a problem and you really want to focus on the computer as a source, you probably want to look at Peachtree Nova which is really designed for computer playback (around $1200). If you want to stream music wirelessly, the Squeezebox Touch is works great and sounds great. Both Marantz and Denon have come out with receivers that are also designed to stream music (the Marantz CR 603 and the Denon RCD-N7); I'm sure there are other products like these coming out as well.

 

[m_vanmeter]

if budget is a concern, you might take a look at the Onkyo 8555 stereo receiver

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTX8555/Onkyo/TX-8555-100-watts-2-channel-Stereo-Receiver/1.html

 

[sholling]

IMO unless you're willing to spend $700 on the Outlaw receiver then the best choice is to find a used AVR for $75-150 or so. Just because it has video features doesn't mean that you must use them. The reason for going with an old AVR is bass management.

 

[gpost3]

Just because it has video features doesn't mean that you must use them. The reason for going with an old AVR is bass management.

True . But I was hoping that if I can find one without the video features, then perhaps I could get better quality on the audio features it has and also keep the size down that way. This will be placed under my computer monitor on table top.

 

[rnatalli]

I personally like HK's stereo receivers.

 

[j_garcia]

The RR2150 is the only one on the market with a sub pre out that is bass managed for stereo integrateds. Many stereo receivers have a sub pre-out but they lack bass management, which simply means you have to manually adjust the x-over on the sub side vs having the amp/receiver do it for you without the need of a SPL meter.

 

[gpost3]

all the amps suggested have plethora of inputs. Can I not find an amp with say 2 analog (RCA) inputs and 2 digital inputs? (One HDMI and one USB)?? I am tight on space, my budget is $1000.

I really don't need an array of inputs like CD, CD1, CD2, CD3, Tuner1, Tuner2, Tuner3, TV1, GAME1, GAME2, GAME7.384993

If you can accept the fact that speaker level connections to a subwoofer work just fine stereo usage, virtually any stereo amp, new or vintage, will fit your needs.

Meaning I can use the stereo channel as out for subwoofer? How come no one told me this before. So then I don't need subwoofer out amp.

 

[markw]

Meaning I can use the stereo channel as out for subwoofer?

As long as the powered sub you select has speaker level inputs, yes. You can use the sub's crossover to fit it to your main speakers.

If you wind up with an amp with preamp outs, you can use a sub with line-level inputs as well. Many come with both speaker and line-level inputs.

How come no one told me this before.

Uh.... you didn't ask?

So then I don't need subwoofer out amp.

Nope! You've just widened your selection considerably. Personally, I'd be looking at swap meets, garage sales, craigslist, etc, for some clean vintage stereo gear.

 

[gpost3]

Nope! You've just widened your selection considerably.

Which also means now I need more help. I am going to add a subwoofer later. I think markw is getting me addicted to good bang for the buck deals even though I can manage to buy a brand new off the shelf. lol.

I am now looking at Kijiji and Craiglist.

But what about the size??? Also do you guys have any experience on tiny amps like these?
http://cgi.ebay.ca/PYLE-MINI-STEREO-POWER-AMP-USB-2-X-40-WATTS-PCAU22-/380320670964?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588ce0e4f4

I also want help to find tiny bookshelf to go with it. I mean as tiny as they can be. I will be using them as nearfield monitors at about 4 ft distance. They should have atleast a bit decent bass response and currently I don't like any "PC Speakers" offering.

 

[j_garcia]

The Pyles are garbage. Parts Express sells a mini-digital amp that has USB:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-312

PN#310-312 if it doesn't work.

 

[gpost3]

Wow my requirements have changed so much. Thanks to mark for pointing out I can use speaker out as sub in. I like this:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-310

My only concern is the THD seems unusually high 10% @ 14 W/8ohm.

Need speakers to go with it.

 

[markw]

Now now, let's not go crazy. Never confuse inexpensive with cheap.

Pyle if short for the Pyle of steaming, smelly, brown stuff the dog leaves on the grass.

In "cheap" vintage isn't your bag, NAD and Marantz make quite good two-channel only amps (and receivers), as I'm sure others do as well.

And, try to avoid tiny speakers. The sub should only fill in the low end and the lower the mains can cleanly go, the better the system you'll wind up with. IMNSHO, I won't consider a main speaker with less than a 6 1/2" woofer, but others may disagree.

[edit] Nearfield, you say? That's some mission creep there. Lemme think about that, but consider a "real" amp. Those tiny toy amps run out of power quickly. Your sub is gonna overpower it, and tiny speakers as well.

 

[bikemig]

If you want to go small, the Audioengine N-22 amp and P-4 speakers make a great combo. I've been using it with an HRT music streamer II for a few months now. It fits great on my desk and the SQ is excellent. The N-22 has a headphone amp, 2 inputs (one minijack, one RCA) and a line out if you want to add a sub.

 

[j_garcia]

Tweak City Audio used to offer the Gizmo amp and the WAF-1 speakers as a package, both small; intended for desktop/office use, but it doesn't look like they offer them anymore.

 

[Jasper78]

I also want help to find tiny bookshelf to go with it. I mean as tiny as they can be. I will be using them as nearfield monitors at about 4 ft distance. They should have atleast a bit decent bass response and currently I don't like any "PC Speakers" offering.

Perhaps some audiobytes from Axiom Audio would serve you well. They're small, they come with an amplifier, and paired with a decent sub, they should sound very good. I haven't heard them myself, but I've been very happy with my Axiom M22s for the past couple of years.

 

[gpost3]

As long as the powered sub you select has speaker level inputs, yes

Can you expand on that a bit. A powered sub with RCA inputs will do? And if it has subwoofer input jack then I can always use a Y splitter no? And finally how do I actually hookup the sub to an amp which has two speakers hooked already to its two channels? I might need pictures to get an idea.

 

[markw]

Can you expand on that a bit. A powered sub with RCA inputs will do?

This requires an amplifier with preamp outputs. You can't use speaker level output here.

All amps have speaker outputs. Not all have preamp, or line level, outputs.

And if it has subwoofer input jack then I can always use a Y splitter no?

Depends. You can split one preamp output into two subwoofer inputs but you should not combine two preamp outputs into one subwoofer input.

And finally how do I actually hookup the sub to an amp which has two speakers hooked already to its two channels? I might need pictures to get an idea.

You just connect the sub in parallel to the with the existing speakers. Some subs allow you to connect your mains to the sub to strip out the lows from the mains but not everyone likes that.

 

[gpost3]

Remember guys cost is a bit of an issue so I am looking for good bang for the buck. Also space is a bit of an issue. I don't mind used. Need some help though picking out clean nice used gear. Also what small speakers can you guys recommend that sound warm and natural and are not bright at all? It is ok if they don't produce earth shattering bass (will have sub to handle that) but they should produce solid mid bass (60 Hz). So speakers small enough that can handle 60Hz-20kHz at reference levels.