Reddit mentions of Dayton Audio DTA-1 Class D AC/DC Battery Powered Mini Amplifier 15 WPC

I've always found that those systems with the subwoofer rely too much on the sub, which makes everything boomy. Others might have different experience, but i'd suggest going with something that is just 2.0. In that budget, i think you could find the m-audio av30 or something similar.

Another idea is to get a Dayton DTA-1 and a set of Dayton B652 speakers. I have this in my bedroom right now and it is perfect for music. Very well balanced..

If you do want that subwoofer, people on here have said good things about the klipsch promedia 2.1 set, which is a little over your budget, but you might be able to find used/refurb deals online.

I advocate using component bookshelves speakers with a mini amp unless space is at a big premium. They are better engineered, have better bang for your buck, and have a much cleaner sound.

You have the added bonus that the speakers are more flexible for other uses and, if you wanted to go from 2.0 to something else, it's a pretty easy upgrade, ala: you don't have to pitch the old system and get something new. I think you'd find a good 2.0 system to be much more impressive than a lot of the gamer sound systems out there.

Polk Audio T15 Bookshelf Speakers

Dayton Audio DTA-1 Digital Amplifier

Amazon Basics Speaker Cable

Another note: A system like this will sound way fuller without a boominess that you'd get from most gaming 2.1 sound systems. All of my friends that I have recommended go this route have loved it!

Honestly, unless you were to use a Class A amp (which runs at full throttle no matter what), it's probably not worth worrying about.

I bought this class T amp, and although it doesn't have auto-off, the idle power consumption is absolutely negligible. I can't tell the difference between on or off with my Kill-A-Watt, which is accurate down to 0.1 watt. I pretty sure the same is true of all Class T amps; they really don't use any power unless they're actively making sound. Mine is perched on top of my kitchen cabinets and has been on for the past year.

I found the same thing with my subwoofer. Although it has an auto mode, it would keep turning on and off at very low volumes. I measured how much extra power it would use if I forced it to always be on. No difference whatsoever, 0.2 watts either way.

Although I haven't listened to them personally, and they're probably the least stereotypical audiophile piece of equipment that still caused a stir in the audiophile world, class-D(though referred to as 'class-t') tripath amplifier chips are supposed to be outrageous for the price. Here's an example of one on amazon.

Paired with some high efficiency full-range speakers, depending on what you get you can easily make a system for under a grand that is impressive.

Other than that type of amp, which is an anomaly, you can get some vintage solid state integrated amps which sound pretty damn good for at LEAST a couple hundred.

Sounds like your line level is a bit low - maybe a poor output from your soundcard?

I recommend dropping like 30$ and getting this http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI to see if that doesn't help your problem.

I'm guessing the dynamic range on the output for your sound card isn't great and music tends to be on the louder side so the issue isn't as apparent there.

Also could be poor noise floor on your amp - solve this by putting an inline pre-amp (to raise your signal level for quiet material) or unless you have a real high power amplifier (explaining the poor noise floor) I'd just grab a T-Amp or a cheap stereo amp like this http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1346872929&sr=1-2&keywords=t+amp (lower power higher fidelity). I say this because you will have to remember to turn the pre-amp down for louder material to avoid breaking your amp (it may not care, but more than likely you will damage it if your signal input gets too high)

or this http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PCA1-30-Watt-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B0012KZNP4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1346873001&sr=1-2&keywords=2+channel+amplifier (little more power, probably not as good SQ but it is well enough reviewed, and I'm sure there is probably minimal audible noise at listening levels)

Also could be noise from your soundcard output - if you unplug the signal cable from the amp is the hiss still present? if not just grab that behringer dac I linked to above and it will sort you out

You will need a amplifier as well as speaker wire.

The headphone jack from your mac is a very low power for headphones. Your sound dock has a amplifier built in for it's speakers

There are lots of way to go about this it all comes down to price

I can't speak for quality of the below, but you can purchase this
http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1450824746&sr=1-2&keywords=dayton+audio+amplifier

speaker wire
(just search amazon for speaker wire 16 gauge is plenty for the current setup.

I recommend this.

I'd recommend this super simple/cheap amplifier. It even has a 3.5mm cable that may allow you to use a line/headphone out if your TV has one.

Dalton DTA-1: http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I

the review to the Lepai you link doesn't give it enough credit for soundworthiness; cheap class-D amps sound very good as long as they are well-matched to the speakers; that's the type of amp in most of the better all-in-one bluetooth speakers anyway

i use a similar Dayton DTA-1 plus a nice pair of Polk Monitor Series 2 mini-speakers, all three from Goodwill for total cost of $30 and the sound is excellent for the size; adding a bluetooth receiver dongle would fulfill the OP's request

re: BIFL — i can see why many people would prefer an all-in-one unit, but generally those can't be serviced … otoh, individual components of an a la carte system can be replaced, making the overall system "serviceable"; i have even seen people take an old (BIFL-type) suitcase and fit it with a class-D amp and some car speakers

For $300 you should be looking in budget audiophile and not buildapc. That being said, after searching budget audiophile myself for hours on end this is what I came to as being the best sub $300 setup (that I am currently using):

Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Loudspeakers with a Dayton Audio Digital Amplifier 15 WPC, with the speakers on SANUS 31" Speaker Stands.

This setup sounds amazing and it will be better than any PC speakers you can get. Keep in mind you do have to buy some speaker wire, but the setup is a breeze as the only tool you need is a pair of wire-cutters to get the wire to size.

Something like this should do the job: https://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1481510434&sr=8-3&keywords=class+t+amplifier

There aren't really any compatibility issues with amps, for the most part. If you have an 8 ohm speaker its pretty much going to work with any amp (outside of headphone amps or old tube amps).

Cheap amp $40
Micca Mb42x you can get the warehouse deal for $80

Yes, you just need an amp capable. The cheap 2 channel ones arent going to have a sub output usually. That requires a price jump.

But something like this combo will blow the pants off that logitech set
https://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-B652-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B002RMPHMU
https://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I/ref=pd_sim_23_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001PNOH2I&pd_rd_r=HVF5NKWDYNW6JPNRBSEE&pd_rd_w=u1mFH&pd_rd_wg=GZfhZ&psc=1&refRID=HVF5NKWDYNW6JPNRBSEE

this is a cheapy amp with sub out
https://www.amazon.com/Lepai-LP-168HA-40-Watt-Amplifier-Output/dp/B0070Z87YO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1520822446&sr=8-2&keywords=Lepai+amp#customerReviews

I'm honestly not sure that an amp that cheap exists that will fully drive those speakers. But here are other options that could work in the short term.

http://www.amazon.com/SA-36A-TPA3118D2DAP-Digital-Amplifier-Adapter/dp/B00JXCEDGS

http://www.amazon.com/Stellar-Labs-50-10145-Compact-Amplifier/dp/B008BW9K6E

http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I

This is the closest I can think of to making these headphones "wireless":

You need two of these Bluetooth adapters; one set to broadcast from the TV or computer and the other set to receive plugged into the amp.

And this amp runs on batteries so no need to connect to wall outlet - these headphones still have to be directly wired to the amp.

so this looks like it will handle what i need?

http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I

i would plug the 3.5mm cable from the PC's headphone jack into the amp, then plug the bare wires into those jacks

and for $40, yes!

That's a microphone preamp. It amplifies a microphone signal on its way into a computer. You want a stereo amplifier for powering speakers.

A "class t" amp will be enough to power your miccas. I own this one from Dayton: Dayton Audio DTA-1 Class T Digital AC/DC Amplifier 15 WPC https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PNOH2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_owbKybF7PNBG6

It even comes with a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord to plug from your computer to the amp.

Hi r/audiophile,


I purchased an amplifier Dayton Audio DTA-1 Class T Digital AC/DC.


My question is, is it ok to be turned on 24/7? Does it use a lot of electricity even when idle? Should I turn it off when not in use?

It is for the living room speaker. I either use it or not.

After more thought and seeing the shipping cost from Parts Express, I ended up just buying the Dayton Audio DTA-1 amp tonight instead. People seem to be more satisfied with it straight out of the box than with the Lepai, and I figured I may as well just put the money that'd be wasted on shipping the Lepai amp from Parts Express toward a better amp I could find on Amazon. (I'm not really wanting to wait 10 business days / 2 weeks just for free shipping from PE, and I get Prime free 2 day shipping on Amazon, which is my main reason for wanting to buy from Amazon.) I also ended up ordering the Micca speakers since they're more positively received and also come with the possibly of easily upgrading with a crossover kit if I ever want to do so in the future.

So I don't really know too much about setting up a system. Right now, I'm mainly planning on using it for music and some gaming/tv from my pc. Have a small room and not a big budget (college student), so following the recommended speakers above I'm planning on getting the Micca MB42X speakers (https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2).

Following this 2.1 setup (http://i.imgur.com/Z8FMJ.png), it looks like I'm gonna get this DAC (https://www.amazon.com/BEHRINGER-U-Control-Low-Latency-Interface-Digital/dp/B000KW2YEI).

The recommended amp from above, the SMSL SA 60W, is unavailable from most places. Out of these two options which one is the best for their value?

Pyle (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036VO6G4/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza)

Dayton (https://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I/ref=sr_1_17?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322387040&sr=1-17)

Feel free to recommend me any other amp you think would work for ~$75 or less, it just has to have a 3.5mm input as well as an RCA input. Thanks for the help in advance friends, means a lot.

The phono preamp sections of typical receivers are usually not great, just adequate. You can get do better with the modular approach, buy the preamp amd amp separately . for a preamp I had for a few years used this:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-PEQ3-Phono-Equalizer-Japan/dp/B00008B5PC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1453821221&sr=1-1&keywords=audio+technica+preamp

As for the amp.. There are tons of budget mini amps out there. I still use a 30 dollar one sometimes.. http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-DTA-1-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B001PNOH2I/ref=sr_1_11?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1453821470&sr=1-11&keywords=Tripath

Reposting yesterday's question:

1. What is your budget?

Potentially up to $300, but I don't want to spend that much if I don't absolutely need to. It just means I won't get it sooner.

2. What are you looking for?

An upgrade to my Dayton Audio DTA-1 Amp / better alternatives to the Monoprice Stereo Hybrid Tube Amp with Bluetooth.

Something with:

• Volume control
  
• Speaker wire output, headphone output
  
• Bluetooth would be a nice bonus.
  
  As long as audio quality is no worse than it is now (not bad), I'm happy. Currently, the closest to what I'm looking for is that Monoprice tube amp.. I know it gets a bad rep, but it fulfills the features that I'm looking for. I'm definitely not attached to it, so I'm absolutely welcome to better suggestions.
  
  

  3. How will you typically be using the gear?
  

  
  At my desk, with my bookshelf speakers two feet to each side of me.
  
  

  4. What gear do you own?
  

  
  Currently Dayton Audio B652 w/ T-amp This kit.
  
  

  5. What do you intend on using for a source?
  

  
  Two computers, and Xbox One, and potentially Bluetooth if possible. I can use splitters for these.
  
  

  6. What material will you be using your gear for?
  

  
  Gaming, generally broad music styles.
  
  

  7. Are you willing to buy used?
  

  
  Sure, if it's actually feasible. I'm not Goodwill hunting for two years.
  
  edit: I ended up getting a refurbished Denon AVR-S500BT for $160. I feel like this was a great improvement.

Dayton Audio DTA-1 Class T Digital AC/DC Amplifier 15 WPC https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PNOH2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zGL2BbZX4GWAT


Here is the link to the amp I have ordered.

The speakers are Digital Audio 2002
Model :AD1400SL digital audio pro series.

Wow thanks for writing that up! I wasn't trying to spend all that much money on an amp so do you think this would be decent?

Get one of these and hunt around your local craigslist for a pair of polk/sansui/cerwin vega/jbl bookshelf speakers, preferably with a 6 inch driver. It'll sound so much more detailed.

Will they all be close enough to wire to the same source? Something like this with a bluetooth receiver could work and it's battery powered. I have two of those amps for portable speaker project and they do a good job.

I'm not sure how you would wire them mono though.

They're pretty cheap speakers. You don't have to be an audiophile to hear the difference between cheap computer speakers and proper home audio equipment.
Computer speakers may be all you can afford, as high quality speakers are usually over $100, but at the $200 price range, there are much better choices than computer brand speakers.

If you want simple plug-and-play speakers, these Audioengine A2s are pretty good.

If you want better sound at this price, you can go with a separate amp, speakers, and subwoofer. Dayton Audio is the most cost effective brand at this price point.
Speakers: Dayton Audio B652 ($51.99)
Subwoofer: Dayton Audio SUB-800 ($79.00)
Amplifier: Dayton Audio DTA-1 ($46.95)

This combo will blow away any multimedia speaker set, both in quality and simply how loud it can get. and at $177.94, it's $30 cheaper than the Corsair speakers.

If you're spending more than $100 on speakers, you'd be stupid to get computer/multimedia speakers.

I have a pair of bookshelf speakers that I recieved second-hand. I bought a simple T-Amplifier for them, and they sound great. They could probably take more than the 15 watts, but it still sounds fine.

Dayton Audio B652 speakers paired with the Dayton Audio DTA-1 Class-T Amp. Hands down the best pairing you'll ever hear for under $1000.

I own six pairs of these speakers and four of the DTA-1 amplifiers, and can't recommend them highly enough. For $100 you owe it to yourself to try 'em out.

EDIT: Please read the thread pointed out by additionalclocks. I bought my most recent pair of B652's almost a year ago, and it sounds like Parts Express has somehow hosed one of the most perfect bookshelf speakers ever built. If they have, that's really terrible news -- the B652 was (maybe still is?) stunning!

EDITPARTDEUX: Shit! $100, not $1000. Leaving as a testament to how many times I re-read this thread to see what others were recommending, and never caught this until MidnightRider77 commented on it. Snake, bit me, etc.