Where can I buy a inexpensive 2 ch. amp? (1 Viewer)

[Mike Romberg]

I'm looking to put some audio into my bedroom and need a inexpensive 2 ch. amp to drive the speakers. I'm using the Terk Leapfrog to use my downstairs components as the source. Lastly, the smaller the better because I want to hide it out of view (you married guys know what I'm talking about) Any ideas would be appreciated.
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[John Garcia]

Try: HiFi.com
I actually picked up a Sony STR-DE475 BRAND NEW for $159 at a local store, to stick the bedroom. Not exactly small though.
You can always head over to your local B&M and see if they will sell you a floor demo.
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All progress is based upon a universal, innate desire on the part of every organism,
to live beyond it's income.
ITRCA ** Link Removed (sorry, car guy)
[Edited last by John Garcia on September 19, 2001 at 05:55 PM]

 

[Tim Markley]

You should try to find a good used amp. Check out Audiogon.com and Ebay for some good deals.

 

[Rachael B]

The Audiosource 80 x 2 or 200 x 1 amps are alright. I had one for about 4 years without a problem. You can get it new for $250 or less. It's thin and not so tall. Many of the discounters are selling them, J & R, 800.com and several others. I think mine was an Amp 2. all their amps have a single digit #.
Anothr idea is to frequet any hi-end dealers in your area and look for power amps in on consignment. A Rotel 960BX or 970BX would suffice nicely, there are 65 and 70 WPC, respectively. They both bridge too. Good luck on it!
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Rachael, the big disc cat! "...Mandrake, have you ever seen a commie drink water..."
AFI Film Challenge, hey I've only got 1 to go!

 

[KeithH]

Check out the NAD C 350 stereo integrated amplifier. It retails for $430, but I bought it at Sound City (1-800-370-3156) for only $325. Sound City is an authorized NAD dealer. The C 350 is an excellent integrated amp. British hi-fi magazines such as What Hi*Fi? and Hi-Fi Choice have rated it very highly. For more information, see the following link on NAD's web site:
http://nadelectronics.com/IntegratedAmp/C350.html
Although power ratings should not be the most important factor in choosing an amp, it's worth noting that NAD rates the C 350 at 60W x 2 (both channels driven, 20-20,000 Hz, 8-ohm load), while two British magazines independently measured it at 95W x 2. You can see in the link above that the C 350 is rather small. As an integrated amp, the C 350 has no tuner, but at a given price point, I'd get an integrated amp over a receiver for better audio performance. Just a rule of thumb, but not necessarily an absolute.
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My:
HT Pics ; Equipment List ; DVD Collection ; LD Collection
KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime
[Edited last by KeithH on September 19, 2001 at 09:00 PM]

 

[Jim_F]

In a similar vein, I'd like to find a minimalist preamp to use for analog bypass (2 channel SACD) in my system. The AudioSource Pre 1/A looks right (slim, non-rack mount) and the price is right.
Is this piece too cheesy? It's intended as a stopgap for a year or so while I wait for a suitable replacement for my TA-E9000ES to reach the market at a good price. The TA-P9000ES at an expected $600 is more than I want to spend on a bunch of features I don't need. I really only need one stereo line level input.
Any thoughts?

 

[John Gates]

Hi Mike,
What do you mean by "inexpensive"????
The answer could impact the amount or value of the tips you receive. I have an idea, but I'm not sure if you think $500 is inexpensive, or what kind of quality expectations you may have. There are cheap amps out there, but to find an affordable, high-quality amp isdifficult.
G'luck,
John