[BSLSK05]

I have a pair of Polk R150s that I'd like to power without a receiver.
 
I've got about $100 to spend

 

[GaryWA]

Do you have a DAC?
 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00026BQJ6

 

[BSLSK05]

I have an ASUS Xonar D1 in my computer that it will be attached to 90% of the time and a Fiio E7 for the other times.

 

[cel4145]

Indeed TA2021. Excellent sound quality. Works great with the D1. Had one hooked up to the D1 in a room in my house for awhile.

 

[BSLSK05]

Will 25 watts of power be enough to drive those speakers?

 

[cel4145]

Do you mean will it get loud enough? That's relative to (a) how close the listening position is to the speakers and (b) how loud is loud enough for you.

For nearfield use, definitely yes. I've used the TA2021 with my Ascend Acoustics in my computer setup. Sitting 3 feet away, I was able to push the Ascends to 100db with pink noise (I have an SPL meter). Now that's close to maxing it out and it probably shouldn't be run that loud because it would be near clipping. But even 90db would be a loud volume sitting at a computer. Given that the Polk R150s are similarly rated in sensitivity to my Ascends, they should achieve similar volume with that amp.

The thing to also know is that the difference between 25 watts and 50 watts of amplifier power would only be 3db more max volume from an amp, and 25 watts and 100 watts, 6db.

Check out this decibel scale chart, and that will give you some idea what all this db stuff I've mentioned means

 

[BSLSK05]

Alright, that should be fine. I will check in once I have it.