Small cheap 2 channel amp to power outdoor speakers

warlocks1

I need a small 2 channel amp for my deck speakers. I will will be using a Denon receiver zone 2 preouts. I don't have much room in the rack so I am looking for something thin. I don't need much power, it will be used a low levels for background music.

Condition is not important.

Thanks, Jeff

adb3da

If nobody on here is selling something that fits the bill, you could look for a used Parasoun Zamp. There are a couple on eBay right now.

codyc1ark

I'd look at parts express, they have some smallish, cheepish amps.

madmax

I have an extra one of these I can send you. Decent amount of power and actually sounds good! PM me your address if you want it.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-383

specd_out

There is the Carver TFM 6cb. Real skinny and rack mountable I believe

mhardy6647

madmax wrote: »

I have an extra one of these I can send you. Decent amount of power and actually sounds good! PM me your address if you want it.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-383

... or... if you are as parsimonious... nay... as cheap... as I... you might consider this:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-300

It's small.
It's cheap.
It sounds good. Surprisingly good. Borderline stunningly good (particularly for twenty smackers).



It is my current de facto test amp. In the photo above it's testin' a Technics cassette deck as found from my favorite local vintage hifi emporium ;-)

codyc1ark

I think thats the one I was referring too. ^^^

grimmace19

I have a csi p-30a PA amplifier I believe could be used. Really cheap as I have no use for it.

http://www.starkelectronic.com/spc294.htm

PM if you are at all interested.

skrol

If really on the cheap, look at the SMSL Class-T (Tripath) amps. I picked up an SMSL SA-1 which uses the TA-2020 and is rated for 20W into 4 ohms. I was amazed how nicely it could drive the Polk S8's even outdoors.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Upgrade-SMSL-SA-S1-TA2020-High-grade-HIFI-Digital-Power-Amplifier-B-/290749523878?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item43b205a7a6

warlocks1

I had no idea about the T amps. I have a PM into Madmax. Thanks for all the great suggestions.

mhardy6647

The Tripath chipset amps (even the really cheap ones) tend to exhibit smooth, liquid midrange that is almost annoyingly evocative :-) of the sound of a far more expensive single-ended amplifier using a directly heated triode (e.g., 2A3) output. The little cheap-jack one I posted above sounds more like my SE 2A3 than I'd have believed without hearing both myself on my Duplexes. The T-amp has somewhat more extensive but also somewhat more aggressive HF than the SE 2A3 amp (at a ca. 50-fold cost differential).

20hz

I bought a cheap new open cage amp $5 I am driving it with a old computer power suppley , it works great its on my test bench driving some little optimus 3.5" speakers gets plenty loud

warlocks1 wrote: »

I had no idea about the T amps. I have a PM into Madmax. Thanks for all the great suggestions.

skrol

I picked up a little class T amp off ebay (SMSL SA-S1 TA2020) rated 20 watts / ch. This thing sounds way better than it has any right to for about $35. The build quality is excellent and uses very good quality components. My son is using it to drive the Polk S8's and does so with good authority and decent detail. It does lack some of the transparency of better quality amps.

gmjungbluth

+1. I have one of those Lepais. A great little amp. I would say ideal for near-field listening. Would be great for outdoor setups too - small, easy to bring in and out, and not a catastrophe if it gets wet and bails!

mhardy6647 wrote: »

... or... if you are as parsimonious... nay... as cheap... as I... you might consider this:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-300

It's small.
It's cheap.
It sounds good. Surprisingly good. Borderline stunningly good (particularly for twenty smackers).



It is my current de facto test amp. In the photo above it's testin' a Technics cassette deck as found from my favorite local vintage hifi emporium ;-)