Need Three Different AMPs

[Aether]

Alright, I'm a newbie both to the forums and to A/V in general.

I have three tasks I want to do, at three different houses for friends and family.

1. I need an amp to hook up a computer to some bookshelf speakers.

2. I want to put bookshelf speakers on a fairly small TV (22" I think) that just sits on the kitchen counter... but I don't want to buy a receiver.

3. Not sure if I'll do this one or not, but I wanted to put some floor-standing speakers on a big screen TV without having to buy a receiver. The TV will never have surround sound, so a receiver just seems unnecessary.

For the first two I'm mainly looking for the cheapest way possible but still get good sound. For the third task, I'm mainly just trying to get away with not having to buy an expensive receiver. If an amp is too expensive, I'd probably be better off just buying a Receiver.

I'm a complete newbie, so maybe I'm looking at things the wrong way, but from what I understand I can't just plug these speakers into the TV or PC because they need additional power... so I should just need an amp to fix that, right?

 

[JerryLove]

Since cost is your primary motivator: I'd hunt ebay for inexpensive amps or receivers. Your best bet might be an old receiver: because they are so mass-marketed, the used ones quickly approach "cost nothing". Certainly I can find mid-end (80-100WPC) AVRs from 5-10 years back for $50 or so on Craigslist or Ebay (often less).

If you are willing to pay for appearance (would rather spend a little more on a clean-looking amp than an old AVR with functions you won't use) try, again, the used amp market (Kenwood, Adcom, etc), or something like this little bad-boy (http://www.mavaudio.com/store/index.php/home/tube-magic-dac-d1.html?SID=5sdu7n4utnsjfac0ale2k4ndh5).

For a heavier load (full range speakers on your TV?) try a used adcom or the like, or emotiva (www.emotiva.com).

 

[timmay8612]

For what its worth I bought an Onkyo receiver on ebay for under $50. The only thing it won't do is HDMI switching and 7.1 which you won't need anyway. A stereo rather than surround receiver would be even cheaper, so I'd be surprised if you weren't able to walk away with three stereo receivers for under $100 if you wanted to go that route...

Why on earth would you NOT want surround sound on your big screen???? I can't wrap my geeky head around this. Best of luck.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Consider Powered Speakers instead

Aether,

For tasks # 1 and #2, if your friends/family have not already purchased bookshelf speakers, consider getting them powered bookshelves instead of an amp and unpowered speakers.

Advantages are: less equipment, less desk/counter space, still provide excellent sound.

There are many good options for powered speakers/monitors, the ones I use, enjoy, and would recommend for a computer and a bedroom TV application are:

M-Audio AV30: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileAV30.html

M-Audio AV40: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileAV40.html

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[njedpx3]

Alright, I'm a newbie both to the forums and to A/V in general.

I have three tasks I want to do, at three different houses for friends and family.

1. I need an amp to hook up a computer to some bookshelf speakers.

2. I want to put bookshelf speakers on a fairly small TV (22" I think) that just sits on the kitchen counter... but I don't want to buy a receiver.

3. Not sure if I'll do this one or not, but I wanted to put some floor-standing speakers on a big screen TV without having to buy a receiver. The TV will never have surround sound, so a receiver just seems unnecessary.

For the first two I'm mainly looking for the cheapest way possible but still get good sound. For the third task, I'm mainly just trying to get away with not having to buy an expensive receiver. If an amp is too expensive, I'd probably be better off just buying a Receiver.

I'm a complete newbie, so maybe I'm looking at things the wrong way, but from what I understand I can't just plug these speakers into the TV or PC because they need additional power... so I should just need an amp to fix that, right?

JerryLove makesa good recommendation about buying used --also look at Craig's list and Audiogon.

Also don't completely discount receivers, here is a good yet inexpensive receiver that would fit your needs: Sherwood RX-4109 receiver fro as little as $79.78 http://www.provantage.com/sherwood-america-rx-4109~7SWAI009.htm

Good luck!

Forest Man -- sometimes CIA covert, right ITSCHRIS