I'm looking for a small, affordable amp that will power my passive cheap Insignia speakers. I'm running S/PDIF to my receiver to my bookshelves, which works fine, but it takes up plenty of space and gets fairly hot.

The Insignia speakers aren't exactly known for their efficiently, which is why I'm weary of getting anything that will only output such a low wattage.

Trends Audio TA-10.1

SI T-Amp

From what I've read online, the Trends Audio performs better than the older T-Amp, but I haven't heard much about the new one. I'm open to any other suggestions as long as they remain under $150.

Can't comment on the SI gen 2 but I have a trends and like it a lot. It definitely is not the most powerful but if you don't have a large room you may be okay. I use mine at my desk so its nearfield and don't have any issues with power. If you need more power check out Winsome Labs. Costs more but might be worth it for the power.

Winsome Labs

There is also the Emotiva BPA-1 for $129 shipped, if it does not have to be a digital amp:
Emotiva Audio Products :: BPA-1 Audio Power Amplifier

Quote:



How about the Sonic Super T-Amp? $139 + ship. Here: Parts Express:Sonic Impact 5062 Super-T Amplifier

The Emotiva looks like it's a nice solution, so I might end up purchasing that. It looks like it has a fan inside, which is my only real fear (if it gets hot / how much sound the fan makes).

The only reason why I didn't consider the Super-T Amp was because the TA-10.1 supposed to be a better alternative.

Personally I preferred the Trends to the SI T-Amp and Super T, but with more revealing speakers.

I to have Insignia speakers and was not able to tell a difference between them with these speakers.

Quote:



Ow, ok. I didn't know that. I saw your spending limit and thought about mine. I've been using my notebook optical out, to a Zero DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-amp, then analog in to the Sonic Super T which is powering a set of modded AR PS2052 bookshelf speakers. Works out pretty nice, very clean too.
Anyway, good luck and I'll be looking forward to hearing what you decide to do.

Quote:



I don't personally own a BPA-1 (though I would like to pick one up at some point) so can't give you first-hand account of the fan noise. However, from the several forum reports I have come across, seems like fan noise is not an issue:
x-empower or Trend Audio TA-10 or Emotiva BPA-1 or Panny XR-57 [Archive] - AV123.com Forum
Also you may be interested in the following thread:
AV123.com Forum - View Single Post - BPA-1 or TA-10.1

I owned the Trends and the Insignia's at one point, they go well together. As long as you're not blasting them (which the Insignia's may not like anyway) I think they mate well.

The T-Amp, paired with a bigger PS (no wall warts need apply) sounded closer to the Trends, but I still thought the Trends was slightly better.

I know this is a biased opinion, but I'm selling a Sharp all-in-one unit, an EX-111, that also drove the Insignia's well.

I sold the Trends before deciding to sell the Sharp, because I liked the extra power and flexibility the Sharp had (it has an AM/FM tuner, vertical loading CD player, remote control, and still has Aux in for external source, which I used). I'm still not using the Sharp, though, so it's FS. All that said, if you don't need the power, the Trends I think sounds just a bit better than the Sharp.

So soundwise, my preferences:

Trends --> Sharp --> T-Amp with good 3Amp PS --> T-Amp with batteries or wall-wart

Thanks,

Todd.

PS - never heard the Super-T amp.....

I think I'll go ahead and purchase the BPA-1. Someone else recommended this, since it appears to be the same model (a rebrand?) and $30 cheaper.

Quote:



Here is the Super-T Parts Express:Sonic Impact 5062 Super-T Amplifier

From the reviews I have read, the KingRex T-amps are more powerful than the Trends and SI amps.
They are a little more expensive, but the version with USB connection is quite practical as a small desktop amp.

I am going to say something seems strange - Get a refurbished unit. Both Sonic Impact and Trends have quite a few workmanship issues, something were not soldiered right. Refurbished ones are just that - they are fixed. They usually comes with 30 days warranty instead of 1 year (6 months??) Anyway, if it is not broken within 30 days, it will last.

Quote:



That is actually a darn good idea. Can you tell us who is selling the refurb units with any frequency? Thanks!