CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[brenwaterys]

I am looking for a small amplifier to use in my office to run some bookshelf speakers from my Ipod. I have run across a couple little amps but see mixed reviews on them. I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions.

Amps I am currently looking at:
TA2020
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-300

Pyle
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-2000

My goals are:
Small size as I want to basically hide this under my desk and have only an ipod dock visible.

Decent power, while I don't want to blow away the neighbors I would like to have some headroom in the amp and not be running into clipping at normal volumes. The above amplifiers are a minimum and I am a little concerned about their performance. I am running some fairly sensitive 6ohm DIY MT's

Cost is always a concern but I figure I can spend a maximum of $75 to maybe $100 or so if the upgrade over the $20 amp is worthwhile. There seems to be a gap between these low end $20 amps and the beginnings of the cheap 2 channel 100wpc amps in the low $100 range.

Features: I don't really need anything but an amplifier here, I don't want to re-purpose an old receiver due to the size. 2 Channel is sufficient.

While spending $20 on a little chinese amplifier is very tempting I am wondering if I might be able to get something used to do a little better from a performance standpoint that still meets my goals. I am not opposed to going a little more DIY if someone knows of a good kit amplifier or amplifier board.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Curt Palme]

Why not get a set of amplified computer speakers, and connect those to a dock?

Decent docks are about $25 on eBay, and the powered Klipsch sub/satellite speaker system was free from the recycler. Lots of power, OK sounding, once I got used to the sub under the desk. THe sub gain is turned almost off, I don't listen to rap.

If you're buying new, you should be able to get the amplifier speakers for under $75.

[Curt Palme]

Why not get a set of amplified computer speakers, and connect those to a dock?

Decent docks are about $25 on eBay, and the powered Klipsch sub/satellite speaker system was free from the recycler. Lots of power, OK sounding, once I got used to the sub under the desk. THe sub gain is turned almost off, I don't listen to rap.

If you're buying new, you should be able to get the amplifier speakers for under $75.