Choosing a basic amp

[jnb]

First of all, I am clueless That's why I am here.
Unfortunately, I only have space for 2 shelf speakers for my TV and nothing else. I plan to buy two decent, but not too expensive speakers (less than $200 for a pair). I will probably get the Infinity P142 or P152 based on reviews. Anyway, I need a basic but good amp for them - nothing really fancy. What should I be looking for in an amp or do you have any recommendations? Thanks for any help.

 

[GO-NAD!]

First of all, I am clueless That's why I am here.
Unfortunately, I only have space for 2 shelf speakers for my TV and nothing else. I plan to buy two decent, but not too expensive speakers (less than $200 for a pair). I will probably get the Infinity P142 or P152 based on reviews. Anyway, I need a basic but good amp for them - nothing really fancy. What should I be looking for in an amp or do you have any recommendations? Thanks for any help.

If you are only going to use a pair of bookshelf speakers without a subwoofer, might I suggest that you step up to the P162? It'll gain you a bit more bass extension and they're $160/pr at the Audioholics store right now.

If you have no intention of upgrading to surround sound in the foreseeable future, you only need a 2-channel receiver or integrated amplifier. If you want to listen to the radio, a stereo receiver is what you need. If not, an integrated amplifier will fill the bill.

If you listen at low volumes, a basic model from Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer or Onkyo will do the job. Did you have a budget in mind? We could narrow the list down a bit, if we have some idea of what you are willing to spend.

 

[jnb]

Thanks for the help. I was hoping to pay in the $100 - $120 range if it's possible to get anything worthwhile for that amount. I am getting them because my "I spent way too much on it" Sony doesn't have the greatest sound. I really want to fix that problem. I will never be cranking it up and will rarely listen to music on it, but I obviously want something that will do a good job. Also, I won't be upgrading to surround sound.

 

[Seth=L]

What Sony is it that you have?

 

[jnb]

It is a 46" Sony Bravia KDL-46V25L1. It is a couple of years old and they don't make that model any more, but it was over $3K when I bought it for my mother on sale. She just gave it to me and that is when I realized the sound was so bad. I have a 10 or more year old TV (definitely nothing fancy) with better sound. I guess you don't always get what you pay for.

 

[Seth=L]

Well you can never expect tv speakers to have great sound, although my little Panasonic 26" LCD from 2006 is impressive for a TV which sounds better than most boomboxes.

I thought you were refering to a Sony stereo or receiver that you had, not a television. Pardon my confusion.

I know this thread is about amps/receivers, but I'd urge you to take a look at the Behringer 2030p or 2031p (2031p is larger and has more low end output but isn't quite as accurate as the 2030p). Both are great monitors for the price. If you don't think you'll want to get a sub I'd recommend the 2031p.

If stereo is all you'll be doing I think a nice stereo receiver would work fine, they are typically cheaper than similarly performing integrated amplifiers because receivers sell in higher volume and therfore can be sold for less. Onkyo TX-8511 is a common and popular used stereo receiver that can be found on eBay at decent prices. The replacement model TX-8555 has a similar amplifier section, 100 watts per channel, but has a few additional features and a more modern appearance. The TX-8211 and TX-8255 are 50 watt per channel receivers, which is more than adequate for most applications with the kind of speakers you're looking at.

 

[GO-NAD!]

Well you can never expect tv speakers to have great sound, although my little Panasonic 26" LCD from 2006 is impressive for a TV which sounds better than most boomboxes.

I thought you were refering to a Sony stereo or receiver that you had, not a television. Pardon my confusion.

I know this thread is about amps/receivers, but I'd urge you to take a look at the Behringer 2030p or 2031p (2031p is larger and has more low end output but isn't quite as accurate as the 2030p). Both are great monitors for the price. If you don't think you'll want to get a sub I'd recommend the 2031p.

If stereo is all you'll be doing I think a nice stereo receiver would work fine, they are typically cheaper than similarly performing integrated amplifiers because receivers sell in higher volume and therfore can be sold for less. Onkyo TX-8511 is a common and popular used stereo receiver that can be found on eBay at decent prices. The replacement model TX-8555 has a similar amplifier section, 100 watts per channel, but has a few additional features and a more modern appearance. The TX-8211 and TX-8255 are 50 watt per channel receivers, which is more than adequate for most applications with the kind of speakers you're looking at.

I thought he was refering to a receiver as well. I can go along with those recommendations as well.

 

[jnb]

Thank you both for the help. I appreciate it.