Small Amplifiers

[coinich]

Well, I have a pair of stereo speakers I stole from my stereo system for my computer. Since they can't draw any power for themselves, I purchased a small amp from China off of ebay to power them. Major mistake, the amp (Kinter MA-170), while cheap ($10, free shipping!), seems like a complete piece of shit. It makes my speakers quieter, and I cannot figure out why, and my only fallback idea is that the amp itself sucks. I don't want to buy a simple set of powered speakers for a number of reasons, including my stubbornness. Anyone know why this one refuses to work, or if there are any other amps under $25 that would also solve my situation?

[Flixy]

10$ would be extremely cheap, can't say I am surprised they aren't good Are the speakers good speakers? If they are it might be worth investing a bit more in an amp, to get good sound.

Also, what do you mean with 'makes my speakers quieter'? I'm assuming they don't make any sound at all without an amp..

[']['ear]

Computer speakers generally suck. You start with shit, you add shit, and then express amazement that you end up with shit.

Figure out the wattage of whichever speakers you decide on and then decide on an amplifier of sufficient power. If you over-power, be careful not to have the entry signal too strong or you will trash your speakers.

[coinich]

Yeah, I can see I probably got what I paid for. I know the speakers are good because they worked with my stereo block at home, but thats a bit cumbersome to have in the dorm.

The worst part is: Builtin Speakers > Stereo Speakers > (Stereo Speakers + Amp), if I write in psuedo math... The stereo speakers actually project less sound at a worse quality when the amp is plugged in. I don't know the wattage of the speakers themselves though; its not listed and I don't think I can pop them open easily.

[BalticSailor]

The amp probably sucks, and that's that. Since it's really cheap, it most likely has piss-poor noise reduction, which in turn produces so much noise in output signal, it cancels out the actual sound. Destructive interference, and all that... Try to turn the amplifier volume down, if it has such a function, and play around with equalizer of whatever app you're using for music - perhaps you can gain volume at cost of some sound quality by turning some problematic frequency ranges down (usually both ends of the spectrum). While not a particularly good one, that's the only free solution you'll find, I'm afraid.

[']['ear]

Here's what I recommend: you can probably find a 100 watt guitar amp someplace for fairly cheap. Run your whatever into the line in, and you will get a beastly sound system. I had a 100 watt Fender backup amp in college, and my roommates used to fire that baby up when they were stoned. You can get away with, say, a 20W source amp, because of the boost in the guitar amp. Just don't do reverb.

PS you wanna make sure the guitar amp doesn't have too much hiss. They can develop that if they've been abused.

[Flixy]

A brand new, simple stereo set is probably cheaper than a guitar amp. I spent 60€ on a logitech surround set and it is fairly decent, goes loud enough, and no problems connecting it.

If you do go for the guitar option, make sure it has a line in, because a lot don't.

[']['ear]

A brand new, simple stereo set is probably cheaper than a guitar amp. I spent 60€ on a logitech surround set and it is fairly decent, goes loud enough, and no problems connecting it.

If you do go for the guitar option, make sure it has a line in, because a lot don't.

True enough. But if you want power....

[Flixy]

You can get more power for less money if it isn't specifically aimed for guitars

[']['ear]

Unlikely. You can often pick up a 100W guitar amp in decent shape for, say, $200. Can you get a 100 watts of power from a stereo for anywhere near that? The speakers alone will run much more than that.

[Flixy]

Quick search: easily. It's for a computer anyway. Looked it up at a webshop, brand new system with two speakers + subwoofer, philips (so probably more than decent quality), total power 100W for 120€. And my experience is that such systems have too much power for a room, anyway.

And for pure stereo set: 100W for 190€, and that includes a dvd/cd player/recorder, radio tuner, etc.

And that's new, not used.

Of course, top quality speakers are a lot more expensive, yeah. But top quality guitar amps are far more expensive too!

[']['ear]

Good point, I already had the guitar amp laying around, so it's a cross-platform speaker boost (I had speakers that didn't come close to matching my receiver.) For somebody who doesn't play guitar, you'd need a receiver.

However, it could be a very low-end receiver, since as long as you keep it from distorting, you have the second amplifier+speaker in the guitar amp. So really no need for 100W receiver. A computer will do. Just keep the signal low and the guitar amp will boost the signal to 100W, no distortion. Low output from computer, use amp volume to boost.

For example: http://www.americanmusical.com/Item-...m_medium=feed&

That's online for $199, sucker priced. I guarantee you I can cruise a couple of music stores and get one for $100-125. Turn on without input, turn volume up and see if you've got hiss. Now you've a 100W pair of 12" speakers hooked up to a computer. Play whatever you want at a power too great for any party you're at.

You could get a high end amp for $900, but no need. I played through a Roland JC120 once I got better and was playing out a lot. I also got a much better guitar. In hindsight, I'd keep the great guitar and play through a smaller amp of high quality. No need to blast if you have great mixing, but often with our venues we needed lots of stage volume from guitars and bass, because we needed all of the PA for vocals, keys, saxes and drums. So it is with starting musicians. We were past that by the time I hung up my spurs, but wasn't going to downgrade amp and lose money at that point.

But no need for the fireworks for basic stereo speakers though. A basic Fender amp would be fine, and used would work well as long as one knows how to check out a guitar amp. Hit up a friend for a favor.