budget stereo amp

[RCBRG]

little question which im struggling to find a clear answer for

im after a budget amplifier, with the requirement that it needs to run a subwoofer as well as a pair of speakers. is a sub output/pre-out necessary, or is connecting to the high level inputs on the sub good enough?

if a sub output isn't necessary it massively opens up my options!

[bsdnazz]

Stereo 2.1 amps seem to be pretty rare beasts and if your sub has high level input that can be wired to the speaker terminals then I'd get a standard stereo amp.

[Crackie]

Which speakers will the amp be used with ?

Temple Audio Bantam Gold is definitely one the shortlist, it is best suited to lower impedances though.

http://www.templeaudio.net/bantamgold.html

http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/bantam_gold_e.html

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/05...

[arun1uk]

Why not get a 5.1 AV receiver? If you can find one in budget that offers bi-amping, you're sorted. Will also allow connection of a Sub and option to listen to it via a 2.1 setup rather than 5.1.
Check out the Yamaha range. I just sold an immaculate RX-V373 for £60!

[anonymous-user]

The days of the NAD 3020 and Rotels is long gone now then ?

[ecotec]

What speakers and sub are you wanting to run?

[TonyRPH]

OP, do you even need a sub?

A decent stereo amp will give a decent amount of bass even with stand mounted speakers.

Also, depending on what type of music you'll be playing through the system, you could overwhelm your main speakers with heavy bass (in the case of reggae for example) so you would need an amp with bass management, that reduces the amount of bass going to the main speakers.

Also - as others have said, a home cinema amp would do the job perfectly in 2.1 mode, and older A/V amps are so cheap on Ebay now, as many of them lack HDMI inputs.

[shielsy]

Check out the clearance section on Richer Sounds' website. They generally have half decent AV receivers for around the £100 which should see you right. I think that would be the cheapest and easiest way to go 2.1

[Pothole]

techiedave said:

The days of the NAD 3020 and Rotels is long gone now then ?

Not in my house.

[007singh]

Pothole said:

techiedave said:

The days of the NAD 3020 and Rotels is long gone now then ?

Not in my house.

Mine finally gave up the ghost a few years back, would power up but no sound (ran on one channel for about 4 years). Eventually I sold it on ebay, and got £85 for it from someone in France. Was sad to see it go, but had moved on since then lol. Great kit, really great kit for what it was.

[007singh]

Pothole said:

techiedave said:

The days of the NAD 3020 and Rotels is long gone now then ?

Not in my house.

Mine finally gave up the ghost a few years back, would power up but no sound (ran on one channel for about 4 years). Eventually I sold it on ebay, and got £85 for it from someone in France. Was sad to see it go, but had moved on since then lol. Great kit, really great kit for what it was.