Mini Amplifier

[2Btoo]

Hi,

I'm trying to choose a mini amplifier. Requirements are easily explained;

- Will sit on shelves in the kitchen, running a pair of small no-name speakers. I think they are JBL's and are nothing special, but may be upgraded for something a bit better in due course.
- Will be supplied from a Chromecast Audio (superb device, should anyone ask ... )
- Will be used for everything from Radio 4 to Kraftwerk to 'World of Disney'
- Needs to cost no more than £50. It will be a Christmas Present and hence this is a pretty hard cut-off

(Given that this price bracket seems to encompass a lot of dubious kit then I'm quite happy to have a kit which I then build.)

It seems that there are a few options, almost all of them made-in-China cheapies - which isn't necessarily a bad thing. They commonly-encountered ones are as follows;

- Leepi 2020 (seems to come in various different models with different numbers, none of which consistently end up being the same thing)
- SMSL SA-50
- SMSL SA-36

However which one is best? Or is there another choice which is better yet?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

[pauljdh]

Im trying to do the same and am puzzled by the no of variations on a theme out there. Apparently some are very good, but there are copies and versions that skimp a bit on quality.

If you look for Lepai (apparently one of the better ones) it offers you Ley which I read is inferior.

Not a lot of use, but for what its worth tread carefully.

Parts express in the states have their own but p and p to UK is as much as the amp.

[2Btoo]

pauljdh said:

Im trying to do the same and am puzzled by the no of variations on a theme out there. Apparently some are very good, but there are copies and versions that skimp a bit on quality.

Yes, that's exactly what I am finding. If you are lucky then you'll get a good one. If not then it'll be built with cheaper components and not as good. And it sounds like Lepei/Lepy are not as good as they used to be (as in, older ones were half-decent and could be cheaply improved with a better power supply and some new caps, newer ones are less well built and poorer quality.)

I'm tempted by the SA-50 as it sounds like the best bet. Although I am very happy to hear of any other options, or other opinions.

[varsas]

I had the leepi type one (I used it in a classic car but did test with some old Mission 731's) and it was fine. Sounded fine, went loud enough. Like you I couldn't really find anything 'proper'.

It looked just like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEPY-2024A-Plus-Amplifier...

the power switch sold it for me...

[heisthegaffer]

I'm thinking about getting one of these, possibly a topping VX2 as it has 3 different inputs - Phono, optical and usb plus a built in DAC and as it'll be connected to my PC, this will come in very handy.

I'll be using them with JBL Control 1s which are cracking little speakers and a good match for this type of amp apparently as they are very efficient.

Looking forward to hearing how good - or bad - it is.

[Jakdaw]

2Btoo said:

- SMSL SA-50

I've one of these... it's great!

[phil_cardiff]

varsas said:

I had the leepi type one (I used it in a classic car but did test with some old Mission 731's) and it was fine. Sounded fine, went loud enough. Like you I couldn't really find anything 'proper'.

It looked just like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEPY-2024A-Plus-Amplifier...

the power switch sold it for me...

I'm interested in this but am wondering what the inputs are. I can see rca but what is the other one? Aux in? And how would you switch inputs on this amp?

[VEX]

Jakdaw said:

I've one of these... it's great!

I used a pair in a pair of gym treatment rooms as well, really impressed with them both.

V.

[TonyRPH]

phil_cardiff said:

I'm interested in this but am wondering what the inputs are. I can see rca but what is the other one? Aux in? And how would you switch inputs on this amp?

It only has a single pair of (stereo) RCA inputs, so no input switching needs to be performed (and hence no input selector switch).

The red and black terminals are the left and right speaker connections.

EDIT Oops sorry - after looking at the pic in more detail I notice there is a 3.5 mm jack input (I thought it was a screw!).

I suspect the 3.5mm socket will likely override the RCA sockets (by means of a switch on the 3.5mm socket) just in the same way plugging headphones in to some devices mute the main output.

Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 18th December 20:05

[phil_cardiff]

TonyRPH said:

phil_cardiff said:

I'm interested in this but am wondering what the inputs are. I can see rca but what is the other one? Aux in? And how would you switch inputs on this amp?

It only has a single pair of (stereo) RCA inputs, so no input switching needs to be performed (and hence no input selector switch).

The red and black terminals are the left and right speaker connections.

EDIT Oops sorry - after looking at the pic in more detail I notice there is a 3.5 mm jack input (I thought it was a screw!).

I suspect the 3.5mm socket will likely override the RCA sockets (by means of a switch on the 3.5mm socket) just in the same way plugging headphones in to some devices mute the main output.

Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 18th December 20:05

Of course. Thanks.

[Monty Python]

I was going to suggest the Renkforce E-SA9 but they seem to sell out so fast it's hard finding one for sale anywhere.

[heisthegaffer]

heisthegaffer said:

I'm thinking about getting one of these, possibly a topping VX2 as it has 3 different inputs - Phono, optical and usb plus a built in DAC and as it'll be connected to my PC, this will come in very handy.

I'll be using them with JBL Control 1s which are cracking little speakers and a good match for this type of amp apparently as they are very efficient.

Looking forward to hearing how good - or bad - it is.

Just ordered a Topping VX2 so look forward to testing over the next few days. Will report back.