Help Me Upgrade To A Bookshelf System

[vilun]

Hello All,

I have just very recently decided that I would like to upgrade my multimedia speakers (crappy Logitechs) for a bookshelf system with amp.
I have been looking at the Audition B1.2's from Athena for the speakers but I have no clue what amp or receiver to get.
Altogether I would like to spend less then 200 dollars on the amp if possible.
What should I be looking for in a receiver or amp?
I think I'll probably get the Chaintech AV-710 sound card and use the optical S/PDIF out to my amp/receiver.
And it would be nice if the receiver/amp could double as a headphone amp as I would like to get some nice cans in the future; is that possible?
Do you guys have any recommendations for my setup, specifically what to look for in a receiver/amp?

 

[rnatalli]

Welcome to the forums! You should choose speakers first and then figure out what amp you need to drive those speakers. A common mistake is to put more money towards electronics than speakers. Speakers have the largest impact on how a system sounds and a large chunk (60-70%) of your budget should be spent there. What's your total budget for the receiver and speakers? Are you just looking for a 2-speaker setup?

 

[vilun]

Thanks for responding.

At the moment I have decided to go with the 2 speakers as I am on a college budget and don't want to spend much, I'll probably buy more as time goes on.
I have pretty much decided on the Audition B1.2's from Athena for the speakers for their balance of price and quality.
Altogether I was hoping on spending less than 300 bucks at the most.

Will the Sonic Impact Super-T Amplifier be enough to power the speakers?
Or would a Yamaha HTR-5730 receiver be better?
Or do you have any other recommendations?

 

[Davemcc]

I have the B1.2's and they are not a very hard speaker to drive. You don't really need that fantastic of an amp to enjoy them. If you try to drive them too hard, they tend to get harsh anyway even with my smaller Denon receiver. For now on your college budget, I would suggest going to a pawn shop and picking up an older but decent stereo receiver on the cheap and use analog inputs.

 

[jcPanny]

PC speakers

I agree pick up a new or refurbished budget receiver for about $100 to drive the Athenas.

Here is another option. Check out the AudioEngine5 powered monitors for $300. They are full size bookshelf speakers with good build quality and built in amps.

Also, FYI, I had good results with the Chaintech card to add an optical out to my PC and it was inexpensive from newegg.

 

[rnatalli]

If $300 is your budget for the receiver and two speakers, you could pick up a pair of Onix X-LS ($165 right now) and a refurbished Onkyo stereo receiver from AC4L and have a great system on the cheap. Just offering another possibility.

 

[vilun]

Thanks for all the help guys!

I think I am pretty much set on the Athena's for speakers because they are under 100 dollars.
As for the receiver I am eyeing the ONKYO TXSR304 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver on accessories4less so if I ever decide to upgrade to more speakers I have the capacity to do so.
Is it possible with this receiver to switch from surround sound to just stereo?

But, what should I be looking for in the receiver itself?
Is it output or ohms or something else I have no clue about?