mattSER Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 I'm interested in buying a mini 2-channel amp for my RB-10s and/or RB-15s. I was looking at the Emotiva a-100, but at 15" deep it's actually a little bigger than I'd like. I want something that would easily fit on a computer desk and output maybe 20-50 watts. Volume control is a plus, but not necessary. Where should I start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasDom Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 I'm interested in buying a mini 2-channel amp for my RB-10s and/or RB-15s. I was looking at the Emotiva a-100, but at 15" deep it's actually a little bigger than I'd like. I want something that would easily fit on a computer desk and output maybe 20-50 watts. Volume control is a plus, but not necessary. Where should I start? I've got an a-100 sitting behind my RC64II. If you can turn it 90 degrees, at 8.5 inches wide, it's a pretty small footprint. Great amp for the money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) I have been eyeing these for some time. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/teacah01sa/teac-ah-01-stereo-amplifier-with-digital-to-analog-converter-silver/1.html#!specifications Actually Crutchfield has them for less. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_063UDH01S/TEAC-UD-H01-Silver.html?tp=59309&awkw=75622002145&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47439277225&awdv=c Bill Edited October 19, 2014 by willland 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tromprof Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 +1 on the Teac. Using it with my K-horns and very happy. Very good and cheap, whats not to like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) If you are into Tube Amps as I am, I have one of these for my 'Travel Amp'. 20 watts per Channel 6 1/2 inches deep and your requested Volume Control. Only $200 ! Only 10 inches wide. And yes TUBES !! Edited October 19, 2014 by Cut-Throat 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBPK402 Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 How about the Topping T Chip amps... Only $86.29. http://www.amazon.com/Topping-Tripath-TK2050-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B00EOKQ9Q6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413692217&sr=8-2&keywords=topping+t+chip+amp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 Cool, thanks guys. That Teac looks amazing but a little more than I wanted to spend. The Topping is almost exactly what I was picturing! Any more similar to that?? I just want to check out my options. Although, I'm thinking about that Maverick just because it would be my first tube amp and it's not too expensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) I have been eyeing these for some time. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/teacah01sa/teac-ah-01-stereo-amplifier-with-digital-to-analog-converter-silver/1.html#!specifications Actually Crutchfield has them for less. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_063UDH01S/TEAC-UD-H01-Silver.html?tp=59309&awkw=75622002145&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47439277225&awdv=c Bill I want one! There is another TEAC mini- amp out there. A search of word would produce some results. Sold as seperates. They have some nice looking gear too. The 2 had in mind then already mentioned. There are some Yamaha units. Onkyo as well. Parasound. Z series?That Maverick looks good too. Enjoy the look for. Edited October 19, 2014 by billybob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJIann Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 I love my 12W Jolida Glass FX tube amp. I bought the matching tube DAC to go with it. My buddy uses his to drive his Cornwalls and it sounds great and gets loud. http://jolida.alexpapanicolaou.com/product/glass-fx-10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 Dammit, man! So many tasty choices here! That Jolida looks fantastic! I wish I had the cash for something like that. BillyBob, you mentioned onkyo may have mini amps, but all I can find are their compact systems and a $600 "slim" amp. I'd love to stick with onkyo. Otherwise, I've seen a Dayton DTA-120 that looks to fit the bill. Anybody have experience with it? I'm now leaning toward the Topping or the Dayton. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 +1 on the Teac. Using it with my K-horns and very happy. Very good and cheap, whats not to like. What's the wattage on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) I have this: Very small, totally silent, almost no heat, great sound, 15 wpc. I have used it for 2.0 on my computer setup, and for experimenting on different speaker combos. For $30 you really can't go wrong. I bought mine 2 years ago for $34. http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dta-1-class-t-digital-ac-dc-mini-amplifier-15-wpc--300-380 +++ The Leipai has been very highly rated, 20 wpc. Read the reviews for more info. http://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-2020a-tripath-class-t-hi-fi-audio-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-300 This Leipai is four more bucks 40 wpc, and supports a sub, 2.1 setup. http://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-168ha-21-2x40w-mini-amplifier-1x68w-sub-output--310-308 Edited October 19, 2014 by wvu80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 That Dayton is rated for 4ohms, so I'm guessing I'd be getting around 5-10 watts at 8 ohms. Have you ever had a problem with the miniscule power? Ever tried running it with batteries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I would like to try this Dayton amp: http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dta-120-class-t-digital-mini-amplifier-60-wpc--300-3800 If I upped the money, the Parasound Z-amp would also be on my list. Bruce 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 Yep, I think I'm ordering that Dayton by the end of the week along with the 15wpc that wvu80 has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 (edited) That Dayton is rated for 4ohms, so I'm guessing I'd be getting around 5-10 watts at 8 ohms. Have you ever had a problem with the miniscule power? Ever tried running it with batteries? The mini-amp was ran through my PC, so it is all near-field listening, speakers 4-5 feet away from me, at most, at ear level. I ran the Dayton mini-amp with 8 ohm speakers including my DIY speakers, with 15" woofs and 12" horn, 10" woofs and 12" horn, and with my 8 ohm Bose 301's. I could push all three to pretty loud levels, and I never did max out the volume, but I did push the volume knob to 75-80% all the time. The little amp runs cool to the touch, but it is a rubber covered box, no internal fan. What impressed me was how clean the power was at all volume levels. I now run my computer speakers through a 100 watt Pioneer AVR, and frankly I think the sound was better with the Dayton mini-amp. The Pio can play slightly louder, but not that much louder, believe it or not. I have not tried the mini-amp with batteries. Matt, if you do order the same unit I have, the power-on light is a VERY bright blue LED. What some people have done is to put some nail polish over top it, if the light is too intense. It will light up a dark room at night. Here is the Fusion 10 with the Bose 301 sitting on top of it. With this angle you can't really see how big that Fusion 10 is, but it weighs 65 pounds. The HDTV at the top is a 26". The other speakers have 12" SEOS waveguides, the Cheap Thrills (15" woof), and the Fusion 10. Edited October 20, 2014 by wvu80 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brac Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I have that little Dayton, and carry it when ever I go look at speakers. Meet a guy in a parking lot and still do testing! Win Win. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 I have that little Dayton, and carry it when ever I go look at speakers. Meet a guy in a parking lot and still do testing! Win Win. Brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David H Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 The Emotiva Mini-X is a nice amp, I have a pair of them, very nice. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Choices of Amplifiers for Big Ole Horn loudspeakers Look for heavy, vintage solid-state receivers, like Harmon Kardon twin transformer models 430-930, which go for as little as $5 in a yard sale (mine). These sound as good as new receivers costing hundreds, even thousands (see Roksan Caspain receiver review on EnjoyTheMusic.com). They are quite a bargain for Big Ole Horn loudspeakers. Even the low cost ($30) Lepai LP-2020A+ stereo, class T, audio chip amplifier can easily drive my 103-dB efficient Big Ole Horn loudspeakers on most music to moderate volumes at ¼ on the dial. Like a cheap burger, it is a lot of food for the price. Hard to beat. Check out better quality chip amplifiers, like Sonic Impact and Trend Audio, which are about $100 Seriously consider low-cost, refurbished tube amplifiers from fellow forum poster Craig, at NOSvalves.com. Many are a few hundred. Refurbishing one will take time, and about double the cost, so it a great amplifier will cost about a grand. The result however, will be as almost as good as most mega-buck integrated amplifiers, solid-state or tube. Consider either vintage integrated or separate tube pre and power amplifiers. The classic solid-state Outlaw receiver is excellent on Big Ole Horn loudspeakers I know from experience that new Cayin, Cary, Antique Sound Labs and Bottlehead tube amplifiers are quite good Jonathon Valin in The Absolute Sound (September 09) gave a rave review to the $800 Odyssey Khartago Power Amplifier comparing it very favorably to much more expensive amplifiers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.