£100 2.0 desktop setup

pyropetepete · 18 Jan 2013 at 21:33

Thinking of doing my own desktop setup.

Amp
Cables
Bookshelf speakers

Any suggestions. 2nd hand of corse, likes of EBay!

Been tempted by the tripath amps

dacads · 18 Jan 2013 at 22:39

I would go with a pair of active speakers such as Microlab Solo6c.

£100 is a tight fit for an amp+passive speakers but you can try and pick up some Tannoys off eBay which should do the job well (Y)

IC3 · 19 Jan 2013 at 00:02

Microlab solo 7c maybe?

pyropetepete · 19 Jan 2013 at 06:54

Sorry it was late

£200 all in. £100 speakers, £100 amp

Marsman · 19 Jan 2013 at 13:08

AVForums have a very good classified section. It would be worth looking there before eBay.

Tripath amps are very good way of getting use out of old unused bookshelf speakers, without spending a great deal. I don't think I'd use one if spending £100-£150 on speakers new or used. I have one at my desk, and it does a fine job with some small speakers. I've tried it with my Wharfedale 9.1's, and it just doesn't compare to my Audiolab integrated amp. Given that a good used integrated can be bought for £100, I wouldn't bother with a tripath amp, unless desk space is limited.

Amp brands to look out for are: Rotel, Arcam, NAD, Marantz. There are other good brands too. Speaker brands worth looking at are: Mission, Mordaunt Short, Wharfedale, Monitor Audio, B&W, Kef and many more.

pyropetepete · 19 Jan 2013 at 19:36

Hey thanks for the info. I will have a look.

As for a backup what about Creative Gigaworks T40 Series II 2.0 Speaker System

Marsman · 19 Jan 2013 at 21:10

How do you mean backup? If you are not using amp + speakers? or do you mean, if you decide not to buy amp + speakers?

pyropetepete · 19 Jan 2013 at 21:27

Mean an alternative route of not buying speakers and amp.

Marsman · 19 Jan 2013 at 23:09

I wouldn't bother with the T40's. I'd only choose them if space is tight and you want speakers with a small footprint. Edifier R1600T, R1900 TII or Microlab Solo6c, would be far better choices.

pyropetepete · 20 Jan 2013 at 07:25

Space is limited now. Have been told how big of a desk I'm allowed.

I will look into the microlab stuff and see

pyropetepete · 20 Jan 2013 at 07:32

Okay the microlab is good. What version? Day. £130 budget. These are to be in my desk.

Marsman · 20 Jan 2013 at 12:17

Depends how much space you have. Both 6c and 7c are quite large, more so the 7c. If you have the room, then either are a good choice. If both are too big, go for the 1c.

OcUK don't list the sizes. They are:

7c - 22cm wide, 32cm deep, 56cm high.
6c - 21cm wide, 27cm deep, 36cm high.
1c - 18cm wide, 20cm deep, 30cm high.

pyropetepete · 20 Jan 2013 at 13:48

What to get huh?

dacads · 20 Jan 2013 at 15:10

Wharfedale diamond 9.1, Cambridge Audio S30, Mission MX1, Q Acoustics 2020i are some speakers worth looking at

Marine-RX179 · 20 Jan 2013 at 16:05

pyropetepete said:
Hey thanks for the info. I will have a look.

As for a backup what about Creative Gigaworks T40 Series II 2.0 Speaker System

I own this set of speaker and they are great. At the time I went for this over the Edifier R1600T because of the restricted deskspace...but if you got enough room on your desk or whatever, I think the Edifiers and Microlabs would be better.

pyropetepete · 21 Jan 2013 at 19:45

Microlab 7C ordered, £111 delivered. Be here tomorrow.

Went onto AV Forums. Got a bargin on a 1.5m of Chord Epic cable to join them and a Chord iChord VEE to link it to my pc. All for £20