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Desktop Amp for headphone and bookshelf

post #1 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:13am
Thread Starter 
Hi, I am not sure if this is the right forum to ask this. I apologize if it is not.

I am thinking on purchasing bookshelf speakers for my desktop for general listening after graduation. Probably some sub $100. I looked around in the forum and saw the Swan and Polk Audio. I can look around this on my own later.
But if I were to buy bookshelves, I found out that I will need an amp. Can someone recommend me an affordable one that can power bookshelves and have a mini output for headphone so I can listen at night. My budget is around $100, or a bit more if absolutely needed.

Right now, I am only listening from my onboard sound output. I'll look into soundcard or DAC later.

Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:18am
Thats a tall order. I think I will go ahead and say what a guy called Uncle_Erik will say. Your best bet at this point would be an old receiver. Erik might have a better idea what brand and model and where to get it. You could start looking at eBay for "vintage receiver" or "vintage integrated".

This looks like a real sweet unit, you can even roll some tubes with this one if you like. Sounds like it has some kick azz tubes in it now though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/McIntosh-1700-Vi...3A1%7C294%3A50

Just needs a little TLC on the rear panel. May even have a nice headphone section.

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Carver-Recei...3A1%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Marantz-...3A1%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Panasoni...3A3%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-MARANTZ-...3A1%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/Luxman-SQ-505x-I...3A1%7C294%3A50<~~Beautiful



http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-Integrate...3A1%7C294%3A50
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post #3 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:31am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the quick reply. Are there any alternatives? I don't know how large a vintage receiver is, but the receivers I am aware of are kinda large for my desktop setup. But I will think about it.
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post #4 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:32am
Yeah... um, speaker amps usually don't have headphone outs... and why should they? Lol. That requires an out at the preamp stage, basically. You don't want 200W of power coming out your headphones. Pretty much blow them up at 10% of the volume turn. I don't get why you are trying to get separates when your budget is so small... You can't have your cake and eat it!
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post #5 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:37am
Thread Starter 
I see. I was thinking lowering the volume from the amp may be okay for the headphone, that's only if it does have a mini output. Hmm, what should I do if I want to listen to bookshelf and headphone without messing with plugs at the back? Should I just use the front audio panel for headphone and an amp or receiver for the bookshelves?
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post #6 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:42am
NICE Vintage Herald Tiny Integrated Amplifier Amp - eBay (item 180340221554 end time Apr-01-09 05:15:38 PDT)

You could go seperate with something like this for your speakers and something else for your cans.
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post #7 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:42am
If you're that tight on a budget and you really really want to listen to passive speakers, yes. Speaker > Amplifier > Computer and Headphone > Computer

But you won't find very good amplifiers on that small of a budget, either. Unless you get some sort of bargain deal on eBay or CL.

Quote:
Originally Posted by olblueyez View Post
NICE Vintage Herald Tiny Integrated Amplifier Amp - eBay (item 180340221554 end time Apr-01-09 05:15:38 PDT)

You could go seperate with something like this for your speakers and something else for your cans.
Just keep in mind if you go for an amp like this, you run the risk of breaking your tweeters or the amplifier when you turn up the volume. Especially if your speakers aren't exceptionally efficient.
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post #8 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:47am
Active speakers and using the headphone out on your sound car (which is your source anyway) is the most efficent way to do this, money wise and space wise.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_Speaker.html
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post #9 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by olblueyez View Post
Active speakers and using the headphone out on your sound car (which is your source anyway) is the most efficent way to do this, money wise and space wise.

Samson Audio MediaOne 3a Active Studio Monitors in Bookshelf Speakers at JR.com
Listen to olblueyez... Honestly, if you want some (at least decent) passive on-the-desk speakers, you gotta think about spending at least $100 if not $200 just for speakers and then at least $150 if not $200 for an amplifier.

EDIT: But don't listen to his choice of speakers... lol. They look terrible, imo.
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post #10 of 33
3/31/09 at 3:59am
He is right Samson is a suc azz brand.

The BA's look nice.
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post #11 of 33
3/31/09 at 4:00am
Thread Starter 
@olblueyz thanks for searching these items for me. I will look into those amplifiers
@Alai I don't have to listen to passive speakers. Should I just jump on active monitors (like the A2 or Swan, i forget the model) instead of buying an amp+passive speaker?

If I were to do:
front audio panel to headphone
and the back of the computer>(amp)>speaker
would that work or should I start buying components for eventual upgrade? Sorry I am really clueless on these stuff.
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post #12 of 33
3/31/09 at 4:05am
Thread Starter 
Oh okay, I guess active monitors are the way to go for now, at least for a while until I make some money after graduation. That also leaves me some money on buying a sound card and front audio panel.
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post #13 of 33
3/31/09 at 4:07am
I would get the best active speakers you can get and use the HP out on the sound card or the speakers. Then at some point you can add a dac/amp or separate dac and amp. Unless you get an old receiver than the chances of you buying anything with a better HP amp section are slim to none and slim is dead. Judging by your signature you don't have a set of cans that needs to be amped just now anyway.
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post #14 of 33
3/31/09 at 4:15am
uh, a lot of speaker amps do have headphone outputs, and you don't need a preamplifier for it, not to mention you woudln't be putting 200W into your headphones, theres a lot of circuitry that goes into it

and 10% of that would still be 20W, or ~20,000mW, you'd melt the coils together at about 1/10th of that for 90% of headphones out there

why active speakers? why not see what you can find in terms of vintage equipment (if laziness is your answer, I can't help you)

as far as "cans dont need to be amped", they'll benefit from a higher quality amplifier, anything will, I'd strongly suggest the vintage route, as you'll get the hp out + preamp + power amp capabilities, and then pick up a pair of vintage speakers or buy new speakers (and god forbid you have to make the purchase in two parts instead of just buying something cute on amazon)

you also should look into a soundcard that makes a decent source, but unless you've got hiss/buzz on your existing setup, it can wait (if its noisy, it needs to go first, because its wasted time and money on other equipment, unless you're doing vintage, and find a good deal (with vintage, when you see it you buy it, if you want it, because you usually don't get round two))
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post #15 of 33
3/31/09 at 5:09am
Thread Starter 
So far I have the active monitor route that requires the least research and can be ordered anytime. Another benefit of this set up is that it saves me a good amount of space.
There's the speaker amp route+passive speaker that may be too expensive for me right now.
I am a bit hesitant about the vintage route since I can't find much to read about the item. Hmm I tried googling "vintage herald amplifier", but cannot find any reviews. I can look around for vintage items and ask you guys on the forum on opinions. Can I get some tips on what to look out for while searching for a vintage receiver, vintage amp?

I will also have to evaluate how much money and space I am wiling to devote this setting these up since I am still a beginner.
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