[holyxiaoxin]

I have a Creative Sound Blaster X7 and it has served me well(died). It's an easy to use featureful speaker amp. I would like to find a replacement for it but I've searched quite abit but unable to find an alternative. My budget is $500. Here's what I need:

1. Power my bookshelf speakers (E-MU XM7) using bare +/- wires (I don't know what they're called, please let me know if there's a term for it). They're awesome and I'd love to keep them. It's been with me for 10 years.
2. Receive input from PC via USB.
3. Bluetooth (optional), to receive BT inputs, so I could play them on my speakers.

Most amps don't output to bare wires unfortunately. I think they output to coaxial cables.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Maybe keep using the X7?

 

[holyxiaoxin]

Maybe keep using the X7?

I forgot to mention, it died. It's been with me for 10 years. I'm happy though.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Most amplifiers use the bare wire, but you might be seeing the amplifiers that also use banana plugs for the connection.

Yamaha A-S301
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...ts-integrated-amplifier-w/built-in-dac/1.html

 

[holyxiaoxin]

Most amplifiers use the bare wire, but you might be seeing the amplifiers that also use banana plugs for the connection.

Yamaha A-S301
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...ts-integrated-amplifier-w/built-in-dac/1.html

This is nice, but it's too huge. Is there something that could be placed on a bookshelf speaker?

 

[PurpleAngel]

This is nice, but it's too huge. Is there something that could be placed on a bookshelf speaker?

https://www.parts-express.com/home-.../home-audio-amplifiers?order=pricelevel12:asc

 

[holyxiaoxin]

Most amplifiers use the bare wire, but you might be seeing the amplifiers that also use banana plugs for the connection.

Yamaha A-S301
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...ts-integrated-amplifier-w/built-in-dac/1.html

any idea what inputs are these and how do i connect bare wires to it?

 

[PurpleAngel]

any idea what inputs are these and how do i connect bare wires to it?

Those are not amplifier outputs, those are (RCA) line-outputs, those (Audio Output) are what you connect to the speaker amplifier.
Guess it acts like a pre-amp, it increases the signal strength (loudness) that you feed to the speaker amplifier (or other amplifier).

 

[dunring]

There's the SMSL AD18 which I think would fit the bill and keep under budget. I've had both of the X7's (reg and LE) and it's ok, but the opamps are really showing their age and no software updates for a while last I checked. The SA300 is even better if you don't need the headphone jack.

 

[holyxiaoxin]

There's the SMSL AD18 which I think would fit the bill and keep under budget. I've had both of the X7's (reg and LE) and it's ok, but the opamps are really showing their age and no software updates for a while last I checked. The SA300 is even better if you don't need the headphone jack.

This looks good! thanks for sharing. Is SA300 identical to AD18 minus the headphone jack?