Bare-bones integrated with subwoofer output
Clipdat
Posts: 13,078
Stereo integrated amplifier. No frills.
No bluetooth, no DAC, no headphone jack, no phono stage, no balance or tone controls (if possible)
Minimal amount of inputs. Decent power output. A/B preferred, D acceptable. Must have subwoofer pre-out.
Does a product like this exist? If so, I want to buy it.
Here's a few that "kinda" fit:
https://audioengineusa.com/shop/amplifiers/n22-desktop-audio-amplifier/
(Leading contender)
https://nadelectronics.com/product/d-3020v2-hybrid-digital-amplifier/
(Original one doesn't have phono stage, both have BT)
No bluetooth, no DAC, no headphone jack, no phono stage, no balance or tone controls (if possible)
Minimal amount of inputs. Decent power output. A/B preferred, D acceptable. Must have subwoofer pre-out.
Does a product like this exist? If so, I want to buy it.
Here's a few that "kinda" fit:
https://audioengineusa.com/shop/amplifiers/n22-desktop-audio-amplifier/
(Leading contender)
https://nadelectronics.com/product/d-3020v2-hybrid-digital-amplifier/
(Original one doesn't have phono stage, both have BT)
Comments
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https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/a-100
No frills (except headphone jack) and class A/B. Reviews outside of Emotiva are very positive for a simple but powerful little integrated amp. -
Not bad Zingo, not bad!
The fact that it has a fan inside of it is a little silly, imo. -
It's not clear to me if the Emotiva's RCA output can be used as a subwoofer pre-out. They describe it as a "loop output" that mirrors the input signal. "A loop output provides a duplicate of the input signal to facilitate chaining additional amplifiers or other devices."
In this case the output will be full range and not dependent on the volume control. I don't believe this would work as a subwoofer pre out. -
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I have this amp and the 301 a step above it and like both, but it does have a DAC function you don’t need.
https://www.parts-express.com/teac-ai-101da-high-resolution-stereo-bluetooth-amplifier-with-usb-dac-2-x-26w--248-500 -
Interesting little guy. Vista Spark:

CNET Review:
https://www.cnet.com/news/vista-spark-a-compact-affordable-audiophile-amplifier-from-serbia/Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
Wait.....did I just hear someone say "bare bones"?

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Vital question: what’s the budget? And does it HAVE to have no frills, or is that to keep it under a certain $$$ limit.Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
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This guy has a sub out! Sprout by PS Audio.

Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
Cute little guy!

Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
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Mmm, capacitor electrolyte used for popping corn!
Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
Maverick Audio class A/B hybid integrated amp with preout.
https://www.mav-audio.com/base/product/tube_magic_a1 -
Mission Cyrus integrated would fit all your bills other than sub out. They usually go around $400 on eBay, although they aren’t too common AFAIK. Like my Mission speakers, only sold in England.
I don’t know much about them, other than that they supposedly sound really good. -
Hey Drew, how about an Ampino integrated? No sub out, but sweet!
Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
or... or... or...
Howzabout a high-quality power amplifier and a passive attenuator/source selector with two attenuated outputs?
This is the way I roll (well, I guess the high quality part's debatable) and it was trivial (at least from a logistical perspective) to add a (powered) subwoofer when the urge struck.
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I took a look at a few of the TEAC offerings last night, good call. They look to be well reviewed, but as you mention have the unnecessary DAC. Still, an option, as they don't seem to be in high demand which means that deals on eBay are likely to be had.I have this amp and the 301 a step above it and like both, but it does have a DAC function you don’t need.
The Spark would be absolutely perfect if it had the sub pre out.Interesting little guy. Vista Spark:
Under $500. It doesn't have to have no frills, but as my request is not typical (most people want more features, not less) it would be somewhat silly to pay for things that aren't needed.Vital question: what’s the budget? And does it HAVE to have no frills, or is that to keep it under a certain $$$ limit.
The Sprout is a solid suggestion. It does have the unnecessary phono stage and BT, but the PS Audio build quality and sound might make up for that.This guy has a sub out! Sprout by PS Audio.
I saw this on Amazon last night! Not bad.Cute little guy! (Orb Audio Booster)
Now we're talking! This is the most promising option so far! Very cool!Maverick Audio class A/B hybid integrated amp with preout.
https://www.mav-audio.com/base/product/tube_magic_a1
Hah, of course you would come through with a vintage suggestion!mlistens03 wrote: »Mission Cyrus integrated would fit all your bills other than sub out. They usually go around $400 on eBay, although they aren’t too common AFAIK. Like my Mission speakers, only sold in England.
I don’t know much about them, other than that they supposedly sound really good.
Could be a cool choice, provided one can be found in good shape for a reasonable price!
No sub out, no deal!Hey Drew, how about an Ampino integrated? No sub out, but sweet!
I like this suggestion as well as it opens up the flexibility of running whatever amplifier I want. Do you know of a nice passive attenuator/source selector with two attenuated outputs?mhardy6647 wrote: »or... or... or...
Howzabout a high-quality power amplifier and a passive attenuator/source selector with two attenuated outputs?
This is the way I roll (well, I guess the high quality part's debatable) and it was trivial (at least from a logistical perspective) to add a (powered) subwoofer when the urge struck. -
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
Over specified budget. -
I like this suggestion as well as it opens up the flexibility of running whatever amplifier I want. Do you know of a nice passive attenuator/source selector with two attenuated outputs?
https://luminousaudio.com/collections/axiom-ii-passive-preamp/products/axiom-ii-passive-preamp-walker-mod
I like these a lot from Luminous Audio as they are well built, but they also perform really well since Tim builds it to your source and amp specs.
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Hell yeah! That's amazing.
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Why can't you just run line level to the sub & the speakers simultaneously, as @F1nut suggested in the Setting Up A Subwoofer for 2.1 thread?Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
Why can't you just run line level to the sub & the speakers simultaneously, as @F1nut suggested in the Setting Up A Subwoofer for 2.1 thread?
I don't know. I thought the pre-out method was the most easy and intuitive, with good sound quality. -
Drew - If you're considering used, I may be willing to part with my Music Hall A25.2. Fits all your needs, and would be WELL under budget. Nice little integrated that's 4 ohm stable with a sub out and definitely bare bones. Shoot me a PM if interested.
-Al





