Cheap Power Amplifier for my Dorm

[iashleighx]

So I'm looking to buy a power amplifier for my two satellite speakers for my dorm room in college. I actually built the speakers in a class in high school, so the parts are good, but I can't remember what the specs are for them

Anyway I'm going back to school and I'm looking for something to power my speakers that will be able to handle making the music loud in my room. I was looking at some of the cheaper PYLE models but I'm not sure how good they are. Any suggestions? I'm looking to spend less than $100. $50-70 would be great, but I could go higher.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Some questions to start the ball rolling:

• Do you want an integrated amp with a volume control?
• Do you want to be able to select different input sources (so, something with a pre-amp)?
• What sort of connections would you like? For example, are you looking to just get an amplifier that takes two RCA analog inputs and has two speaker-level outputs?

 

[iashleighx]

• Do you want an integrated amp with a volume control?
  
• Do you want to be able to select different input sources (so, something with a pre-amp)?
  
• What sort of connections would you like? For example, are you looking to just get an amplifier that takes two RCA analog inputs and has two speaker-level outputs?

1. Yes

2. Yes. I know my sound system at home is at least 20 years old, but I can still hook up my ipod or laptop to it using an input cable. I want to be able to do that! (I hop this makes sense) Sorry I don't really understand. Are you asking if I want an amplifier with multiple channels?

3. Not necessarily. The RCA inputs are not really a top priority, but I will still but an amplifier that has those inputs. To be honest, I'm not really sure what those RCA inputs would do. Is that for surround sound for your tv?

 

[Adam]

Gotcha. I just wanted to make sure that we were helping you find what you want. A lot of people consider a "power amplifier" to be just that - something that amplifies a signal, but it doesn't do anything else (no volume control, no input selection).

Sounds to me like a stereo receiver would be a good fit for you (which might be what you were asking for from the start). While I've never bought this brand, I've seen people here recommend the Sherwood stereo receivers. You can get a new Sherwood RX-4109 for about $100 (here is a link to that one at Amazon). There are certainly other options out there. For a bit more, I'd be looking at the Onkyo TX-8255 ($150 at Amazon), but that's mostly because I have experience with Onkyo.

You can also look at used gear. I bet that you can pick up a surround sound receiver for under $100, but you take the risk that you can't return it.

 

[iashleighx]

Thanks for all your help Adam!

I looked at the two models you recommended, but they are still on the edge of my price range. I actually found an Insignia NS-R2001 on ebay for $54. I did a little research and it got pretty decent reviews. What do you think?

 

[Adam]

Always happy to help if I can. You're definitely doing your research!

I know about Insignia, but I've never used that brand. The one thing about that model, as well as the ones that I suggested, is that there aren't any digital inputs (digital coax, optical, or hdmi). Does that matter to you? If not, that seems like a good fit for your budget.

Sometimes lower impedance speakers can be challenging for the less expensive units (the lower the impedance, the higher the current draw on the amplifiers). I can't see any mention in the Insignia manual about a minimum allowable impendance, although I might be missing it. You mentioned that you can't recall the specs on your speakers, but can you remember the impedance?

Btw, there are a number of people here that know more about receivers (in that price range, and just in general) than I do. Sunday night doesn't have the largest crowd, so I'd say check back tomorrow if you haven't bought something already. Be sure to post in this thread again to have it show up to people who are just checking the recent posts.

Also, if you happen to live in the Tucson area, I've got a receiver that I'll give to you. I offered it here a while ago, but there wasn't anyone in the area that was interested (I don't want to ship it).

 

[bikemig]

1. Yes

2. Yes. I know my sound system at home is at least 20 years old, but I can still hook up my ipod or laptop to it using an input cable. I want to be able to do that! (I hop this makes sense) Sorry I don't really understand. Are you asking if I want an amplifier with multiple channels?

3. Not necessarily. The RCA inputs are not really a top priority, but I will still but an amplifier that has those inputs. To be honest, I'm not really sure what those RCA inputs would do. Is that for surround sound for your tv?

You'll need the RCA inputs to hook up your laptop or ipod using a minijack to rca cable (or minijack to minijack if the receiver has the right input). Monoprice has great prices on cables or you can get them from Radioshack, Amazon, etc. With an ipod, the sound is better using the dock connector than using the headphone out. Something like this will work, http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-L1-Line-Cable-iPhone/dp/B003G8GZV6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1312808106&sr=8-2. This gives you a line out signal and you control the volume on the receiver. In your price range, used makes sense but you might want to check out your local craigslist as well as ebay. Everything else being equal, I like buying locally so I can check out the gear before buying. The insignia you found on ebay will do what you want, though.

 

[markw]

That was extremely generous of Adam.

IIWY, I'd take him up on his offer, and maybe buy him a dinner when you pick it up.

Buy, a few words of clarification.

First, you need those RCA inputs. That's how you get your sources into the unit. The more the merrier.

None of these two-channel units have digital inputs, as far as I know.

As for buying used, you have no guarantee,

Pyle is misspelled. It should be "Pile", as in "Pile of S**t".

That Sherwood, although it seems to be at the upper end of your range, does come with a two year guarantee, has virtually all the RCA inputs you could need and had a tuber to boot. I've recommending the 4105 to friends for several years and so far, with three out there, they are still going strong.

But, ultimately, I'd say Adams offer would be a great move.

 

[cpp]

Just get you a little Pioneer Vsx-912, I think I saw one at Best Buy for $179. from what I remember from those dorm days, small, cramped and my roommate trashed my stuff.

 

[washburn]

Plug - now taking offers:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74934

 

[bikdav]

Thanks for all your help Adam!

I looked at the two models you recommended, but they are still on the edge of my price range. I actually found an Insignia NS-R2001 on ebay for $54. I did a little research and it got pretty decent reviews. What do you think?

Not long ago, I heard a remark that the Insignia receivers are made by Sherwood. Does anyone else reading this know for sure?