Amplifier help please!

[joshinda]

Hi there,
I'm new to DIY speakers, and I don't really understand all this amplifier business. All the speaker kits online say that eveything you need is in the kit, but then why do some people say I need an amplifier?
Do I need one, and if so, any recommendations as to any low priced ones, as I'm on a tight budget.
Thanks

[brianpowers27]

Everything you need to build a speaker is in the kit. You are correct that you need an amplifier. You will also need a source (mp3 player, cd player, etc.)

If you are starting from scratch you will need

--a receiver (Amplifier with a few extra features.)
--Speaker cables for wiring speakers from amp/receiver
--Component connections to connect your amp/receiver to the source
--Source -- (DVD player etc...)
--Speakers

I recommend getting a rough start with a pair of Tritrix (Crossovers + Cabs) + an amp like this... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=252-100

[dubbreak]

What speakers are you planning on building and where are you planning on running them? A t-amp may be sufficient (dayton makes a little $50 you can hook up one cd player or mp3 player to).

Used is probably the cheapest way to go though. For $50 you should be able to pick up something decent. If you know someone that knows audio then they can probably find something cheaper at a thrift store or the likes that will do the job fine.

Edit: If the kit is powered speakers you won't need an amp, but that is unlikely. Kits like that are rare. Depending on the kit you will also need wood and tools. "everything you need" most likely just refers to the components (speakers, crossover components, terminal cup, wires, screws for drivers). Again what kits you are thinking of would be helpful. That way a definitive answer can be given.

[joshinda]

I was thinking of the Tritrix recession destroyer kit, found here at PE.
I know I have to build a cabinet and I have speaker wire, but should the kit contain all the info I need to rig it up to the mains, amplifier etc.?
Also, does a cheap amplifier mean lower quality and low max volume?
I've seen one set of amps called power amplifiers and another called amplifiers/mixer-amplifiers, the former of which tending to be cheaper.
The power amplifiers also have a much higher wattage for the price.
Whats the difference and which type should I go for?

[dubbreak]

What's your intended end use? What is your sound source (cd player, turntable, mp3 player etc)? That will help us recommend a amp.

The tritrix kit instructions won't cover how to hook them up to an amp. That's taken for granted and it is quite simple. Right speaker hooks up to right output on amp (positive to positive, negative to negative) and left to left hookups. Of course you have to decide which speaker is right and which is left.

Can you solder? The kit doesn't contain a pre-made x-over, it just has the components and a schematic. You'll need a soldering gun and some proper solder in addition to tools for assembling the cabinet.

[joshinda]

Yeah I have the soldering stuff and I'll only use these for music.
I want them to go loud, although not to shake the house!
I'm going to use my ipod as the source - do I need to buy a cable to link the amp and the ipod?
Do I just use speaker wire to hook the amp and the speakers together, and do I have to buy any connections for them as well?
Thanks for all the help, by the way.

[dubbreak]

This amp would do fine:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-812

And you would need to choose one of the following to use the headphone out from the ipod:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=090-294 (plus a rca cable)
OR
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=240-135

Connect the ipod to the "line in" on the amp via the 3.5mm to rca adapter. Set the volume on the ipod to about 3/4 (not quite all the way). Connect the amp to the speakers using speaker wire (you can tin the ends of the wire if you want since you have a soldering iron). Use the volume on the front of the amp to control the volume.

That's a pretty simple setup, but that amp should have plenty of guts to get those speakers loud.

Alternatively you could look for a used 2 channel receiver, integrated amp or home theater receiver on craigslist. An old yamaha would do the job fine for example. $50 should get you something that'll do the job.

[joshinda]

Thanks very much dubbreak.

I was thinking about this one:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...umber=310-2002

It's only $70, which is about the max price I can go to and it claims to provide 75W per channel. However, there is one from the same company for $5 less:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=248-462

but it only has 40W per channel. Does this price difference justify the power output difference? Also, do you know roughly what the max my tritrix speakers will take when built, as there's no point getting a 100W amp if they only need 20W.

[lunchmoney]

Thanks very much dubbreak.

I was thinking about this one:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...umber=310-2002

It's only $70, which is about the max price I can go to and it claims to provide 75W per channel. However, there is one from the same company for $5 less:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=248-462

but it only has 40W per channel. Does this price difference justify the power output difference? Also, do you know roughly what the max my tritrix speakers will take when built, as there's no point getting a 100W amp if they only need 20W.

I would definitely get the more powerful one for a few bucks more...

There absolutely is a point in getting a higher-powered amp... The higher-powered one doesn't have to work as hard to achieve the desired volume, and will therefore exhibit less distortion.

The Tritrix's will definitely handle that much power no problem... I used to run my Tritrix's with 250 watts per channel.

[lunchmoney]

Yeah I have the soldering stuff and I'll only use these for music.
I want them to go loud, although not to shake the house!
I'm going to use my ipod as the source - do I need to buy a cable to link the amp and the ipod?
Do I just use speaker wire to hook the amp and the speakers together, and do I have to buy any connections for them as well?
Thanks for all the help, by the way.

Plain old speaker wire hooks up the speakers to the amp... minimum 18 gauge, 16 gauge is better... don't get duped into buying expensive wire. Radio Shack wire is just fine.

Yes, you will need an adapter to hook up the ipod to the amp.

[lunchmoney]

I was thinking of the Tritrix recession destroyer kit, found here at PE.

Hell yes. The Tritrix's are excellent, and a great easy first build. I built 3 of them as mains and a center channel.

Here's a link to the build thread for my Tritrix towers... I built my cabinets from scratch, yours would be much easier if you buy the full kit with premade panels...

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...owers+progress

[dubbreak]

Thanks very much dubbreak.

I was thinking about this one:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...umber=310-2002

It's only $70, which is about the max price I can go to and it claims to provide 75W per channel. However, there is one from the same company for $5 less:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=248-462

but it only has 40W per channel. Does this price difference justify the power output difference? Also, do you know roughly what the max my tritrix speakers will take when built, as there's no point getting a 100W amp if they only need 20W.

I wouldn't get either of those.

The first one is NOT 2x75W. Read the description below. It claims 75 watts max and is 2x15W RMS at 1% distortion. That's not much power. Rated at distortion levels comparable to most manufacturers you are probably looking at <10W per channel clean power.

You'd be better off with a used amp that does 35W per channel RMS, or better yet something that can do 50W rms a channel.

If you insist on new then this is a better bet:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=302-601

It's only $10 more than your budget and puts out 50W RMS into 8ohms (assumeably at a much lower distortion rating).

That pyle amp is garbage. If the speakers were smaller I'd say get the Dayton version of the t-amp:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-380

That would be good for desktop speakers, but you'll want at least a little more for the Tritrix speakers.

[romanbednarek]

I'm not sure if this is quite "audiophile" quality but my suggestion would be this Sherwood 100 watt per channel receiver (with a discrete output stage) that PE sells for under $100 (but is currently out of stock until 8/4)...

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=252-125


This receiver seems to be a pretty good value, has plenty of power, multiple inputs, an FM tuner and the most important part in my opinion... a remote control! Just use that 1/8" phono to stereo RCA connector to hook up the IPOD into one of the inputs, set the IPOD volume to a decent level and then the remote control can be used to adjust the overall volume level. Also, even though tone controls are considered "evil" to most speaker enthusiasts, it is sometimes nice to have them there depending on the recording or the environment that the speakers are in.



Sorry, I just noticed the price limit of $70 so this option is a bit beyond your budget.

[dubbreak]

Even if it is out of budget it's a good recommendation. It might be worth saving and holding off on the purchase rather than getting something now you won't be happy with.

[AudioMixer]

I'm not sure if this is quite "audiophile" quality but my suggestion would be this Sherwood 100 watt per channel receiver (with a discrete output stage) that PE sells for under $100 (but is currently out of stock until 8/4)...

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=252-125


This receiver seems to be a pretty good value, has plenty of power, multiple inputs, an FM tuner and the most important part in my opinion... a remote control! Just use that 1/8" phono to stereo RCA connector to hook up the IPOD into one of the inputs, set the IPOD volume to a decent level and then the remote control can be used to adjust the overall volume level. Also, even though tone controls are considered "evil" to most speaker enthusiasts, it is sometimes nice to have them there depending on the recording or the environment that the speakers are in.



Sorry, I just noticed the price limit of $70 so this option is a bit beyond your budget.

This is the type of gear I was referring to in my previous post on vintage gear, a lot of repair shops won't touch this kind of junk unless they are still covered by a warranty otherwise you're looking at a price about what you paid for it brand new.
This so call audio gear doesn't even have a phono input, that sucks!
In my book, a receiver MUST have a phono input. I'll stick to my refurbish Pioneer sweet gear.

[johnnyrichards]

The AudioSource is a nice amp and should do the Tritrix just fine. I use one to power my desktop speakers (which are very inefficient at 84 db) to levels loud enough to annoy me.

[Max_Andrews]

Stay away from that $70 pyle amp! It's NOT 75W, more like 30W, and does not have good sound quality.

I'd recommend a receiver (like the sherwood model) over just an amplifier (audiosource). This is to support multiple inputs and give you the nice tone controls as roman mentioned - it's crucial to be able to control things like left/right balance and bass/treble adjustment when the placement of the speakers in your room requires it.

If you go to your local electronic store you can probably get a demo model or simply something on sale for ~$75, like a sony or pioneer 60-100W model. They are cheaper in stores than online because these tend to be heavy, so shipping adds ~$20 to the online price. Go local!

[romanbednarek]

This so call audio gear doesn't even have a phono input, that sucks!
In my book, a receiver MUST have a phono input. I'll stick to my refurbish Pioneer sweet gear.

I don't think that his IPOD would sound too good using the phono input. I've been buying receivers long enough to know that somewhere in the 90's most companies did away with phono inputs on many receivers. Even the Marantz SR7000 that I bought new for $800 in 2000 doesn't have a phono input. I use the Marantz as a preamp so that I have a remote controlled volume and options for surround sound with multichannel SACD and DVD-A discs but I use the phono preamp that is in the older (early 80's) Yamaha A-700 integrated amp that I have for those purposes. I really like the Yamaha A-700 but I would have to say that the presence of a phono pre-amp didn't really factor in to why I bought the amp in the first place. To be honest, I would rather the Yamaha A-700 have a remote control for the volume level than a phono input because high quality phono pre-amps are pretty easy to add to any receiver, but there are complications to adding a remote control to an older receiver.

[dubbreak]

...
This so call audio gear doesn't even have a phono input, that sucks!
In my book, a receiver MUST have a phono input. I'll stick to my refurbish Pioneer sweet gear.

You aren't paying for a phono input with the Sherwood. It's definitely a decent bang for the buck for what it offers and running 2 channel it should put out some decent power (plus it has a remote). If it breaks is it worth fixing? Probably not, but neither is any inexpensive modern receiver. If it's beyond warranty it would cost more to fix than buy something equivalent used. Some times it would be cheaper to buy something new than fix it (labour is expensive!).

There's a good reason consumer level gear skips the phono input.. pretty much no one has a turntable any more! That's money well put into used features. Yeah I have a few turntables, but I know I'm not the norm.

And Roman has a good point. The ipod would sound like crap in the phono input. Try it some time. You won't like the results.

Good external pre-amps are quite affordable now and most receivers have plenty of inputs, so no phono input is not a deal killer for me on a receiver.

[Andy_G]

I owned a Sherwood once (for 2 weeks).. I would say its a pretty good match to an iPod.