Reddit mentions of TOPPING TP21 Class T Digital Mini Amplifier with Headphone 25 WPC

Amps like the following could be used. Keep in mind that they don't have remotes.

http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6/ref=lp_281053_1_18?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1381948567&sr=1-18

http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP21-Digital-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B005CRLZGE/ref=sr_1_151?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1381948811&sr=1-151

When it comes to speakers, you could go with options like the following:

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1381949940&sr=1-1&keywords=micca+mb42

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1381949940&sr=1-5&keywords=micca+mb42

Skip the DAC, you don't need it unless your source's DAC is noisy. Used would get you better stuff, but it's harder to find and quality isn't guaranteed.

Speaker ideas: Pioneer or Fluance

Amp ideas: Topping or Audiosource

Add a Dayton sub-1200 when your budget increases.

Minimus 7? I thought I was having a flashback lol. Completely agree with Rrussell2060. For $150-200 US budget a combination of one of these amps for $50-80

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JXCEDGS/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006K7AT26/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2QLGEQ/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009WK775U/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PA3ECGK/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CRLZGE/

plus one of these speakers for $55-90/pair

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DKPJSIM/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009IUIV4A/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7H8GG2/

would be best. If you're going to connect your PC via RCA plugs you're done or you could add a BT receiver for $20 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009OBCAW2/ if you have a tablet or cell phone you want to stream with.

I think we've already found you a solution, but I had already typed most of this up, so I'll post it for educational purposes.

It's tricky to go from optical/digital to headphones, because most products for headphones are designed to support portable use... and optical isn't a cable type you'd typically see in portable products. So you're kind of trying to cross two worlds it's far from impossible, but may not be super cheap.

You need two things. A DAC to get from the digital signal to an analog one and a headphone amp to give that signal enough power to drive your headphones. You can find TONS of DAC/Amp combo devices--many products from Fiio... but they're generally designed to go receive USB or digital coax (again because the market is much larger for portable use). The DAC/Amp combos that can take optical, and in turn are designed for desktop/tabletop use, are gonna be more expensive--products from Shiit.

You could combine a $30 Fiio D3K Taishan DAC with a $100 Shiit Magni. But that amp is probably overkill. You could use a $70 Topping TP21 as your amp--it supports speakers and headphones.

The absolute cheapest option I can come up with is a ~$30 Fiio D3K combined with a $30 Fiio E5. But then you'll have to deal with that portable amp running out of batteries. Also, you'd need an adapter to get from Stereo RCA to 3.5 stereo.

In the end, it turns out your headphones already have a DAC and an amp built in. If you used a USB cable, you'd be using the UDB DAC. If you use the RCA cables (which is what you should do--with an outboard DAC), then you'll just be plugging straight in to your amp. Hope that all makes sense.

I ended up getting the Topping TP21 for that reason. Another great little amp.

Would this T-AMP be ok? Do I need to buy any other cables to hook up the amp?

And thanks a bunch for answering.

Edit: Would this work out fine instead?

Well I'm not in a huge rush to get anything. Would it be worth while using the Topping TP21 while I search for an amp? I plan on using it for both my DT770 pro's and Wharfdale SC-M1's I was In all honesty the longer I wait the larger my budget can be.

Any amps I should look out for while I continue looking?

Which of these ones do you think would be what I needed for the Miccas?

Dayton DTA-120 60WPC w/ headphone

Topping TP21 25WPC w/ headphone

Topping TP22 30WPC

SMSL SA-60 60WPC

SMSL SA-50 50WPC

I think I'm missing something about the Toppings, is there a reason they are the same price as the others but with only half the WPC?

Looking at an entry level computer speaker setup, mix of gaming and music, maybe some movies but not a priority.

Budget was 100$ but I blew through that my first hour of reading Zeos' guides. New budget is 200$ or as close to that as possible with great sound.

• Micca MB42X @ $99.95 - Very sold on these
  
• Topping TP21 @ $68.50 - Toss up between this and the SMSL SA50, but I eventually want to get a BD DT770
  
• 3.5mm to RCA 6' @ $7.70 - any quality difference between this and eventually getting a DAC and going optical? probably not worth it for an entry build...
  
• 12 Pair Banana Plugs @ $16.99
  
• 100' 16g Cable @ $9.82
  
• Total @ $202.96
  
  I live in a more remote state with very sparse options on craigslist, and I've only had bad experiences with eBay.
  
  Questions:
  
  

1. TP21 running the BD DT770? Should be able to handle it pretty well right?
   
2. Can I get away with using scissors instead of cable strippers? What if I'm reeeaally careful?
   
3. Do I need a sub? I feel like that's a bit much at this point
   
4. Can I blame the internet if I get buyer's remorse?

You could always just run power out to the sub and then on to the bookshelves from the sub. I'm currently using a BIC F12 in that sort of configuration with a Muse M50 amp. You could try a Topping TP21. It's only 25WPC, but it's also $80 and has a headphone out.

I'm still not completely sure what the distinction between an amp and a receiver is. This is probably a really dumb/obvious question but would this Lepai or Topping be what I need?

Hrm. For 50wpc you would have to go up to the Audiosource Amp-100 which is much bigger. OR take the power hit and get the TP21 with 25wpc for around the same price but it does include a headphone amp.

Having a little trouble working out what additional things I might need for adding a subwoofer to my audio setup

Currently I have:
Fluance SX6 x 2 [(link)] (https://www.amazon.ca/Fluance-SX6-Definition-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B00067OS0A/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464721749&sr=1-4)
Topping TP21 amplifier (link)

If I'm looking to add a this to the mix and have the entire set hooked up to my computer. Would I need to buy anything additional?

no i dont need to. but i liked how loud they were able to drive my speakers, 50wpc, as well as the small size. i just figured those were both properties of class T.

i probably dont need anything more than 100w for the 2 speakers.

edit: i'd found this one, but i didn't like how it was half the power of the dta-100a http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP21-Digital-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B005CRLZGE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349275317&sr=8-1&keywords=topping+amp