Amp for front room

koooowweeee · 19 Jul 2015 at 08:14

Hey

I've had a pair of yamaha speakers sitting in my bedroom for over a year now. The were given to me by the wife's granddad, so have cost me nothing. So I'm going to use them in the front room but need a amp

I've been looking at old Cambridge sounds amps on the bay. Reason I've been looking at them is because they are slim. The amp will be going under the TV so I don't want anything chunky as I've already got a android TV box, dvd, Virgin and a wii u.

So... my question is, are there any other alternatives to a Cambridge amp so I can look for other cheap amps at the same time.

Thanks

Grimley · 19 Jul 2015 at 09:24

Nad 3020 is well regarded, however I don't how much heat they churn out so I'd be a bit sceptical about putting it under a telly.

Marsman · 19 Jul 2015 at 11:40

If you're talking about placing the TV directly on top of the amp, I'd advise against that without something that will allow a gap for the heat to dissipate.

If you're talking about placing in a TV cabinet of some kind, then as long as there's some ventilation, there shouldn't be a problem. Stereo amps do get quite warm after lengthy periods of use, although not as bad as AV receivers, which could probably cook an egg.

Which Cambridge amps have you been looking at? (I assume you're referring to Cambridge Audio) A1, A500 or possibly Topaz AM1?

Rotel and Arcam are also excellent brands to consider. Both make amps that are not too tall, if that's the right way to put it.

Jim99 · 19 Jul 2015 at 11:55

I snagged a clearance CA 351R for £100 with 5 year warranty from RS a while back, worth keeping an eye on their clearance deals and seeing what's nearby.

lucid · 19 Jul 2015 at 12:28

Cambridge Audio gear has that elusive mix or decent built quality, good Hi-Fi performance, and it's still relatively inexpensive. The later Topaz amps are some of their slimmest. Other small CA stuff such as the Sonata might be well over your budget even S/H.

If the speakers are efficient and you don't need a lot of volume you could always try a T-Amp. They're based on a different technology so don't use the large transformers of conventional Hi-Fi amps. This makes them small and the entry-level models are cheap. Just don't expect room shaking volume, that's all.

Other physically small products: Mission Cyrus (daft pricing-expensive-even in used product); Creek CAS4040, often overlooked competitor to NAD and Rotel. Prices are firming up though as the market wakes up to this little gem.

koooowweeee · 19 Jul 2015 at 13:10

The amp will be in a glass TV cabinet so will be fine for ventilation.

I'm not looking for something special. Just want something better that listening to the awful sound the TV kicks out.

The amps I've been looking at are the a3, seem to go very cheap used on ebay. I don't really want to spend a great deal as I don't listen to that much music and really it's just so the speakers aren't just sat there doing nothing while getting grief off the wife haha

Marsman · 19 Jul 2015 at 14:19

Must admit I wasn't aware there was an A3, only A1 and A5, unless it's one of the Azur 3xxA models.

I see there's an Azur 340A for £50, which looks like a good buy. No remote included, but you can use a Logitech Harmony or one of the other universal remote controls if you have one.

I've got an Azur 350A, which is very good indeed.

If you can see an A1 or similar for less, then no reason not to go for that. The Azur's are better, but the cheaper A1 will still do a decent job of driving the speakers.

koooowweeee · 20 Jul 2015 at 07:33

Your right,sorry^^ it's a A1 mk3 that I have been watching. They sell for £20-30 with local pickup. Had a look at a few reviews and there all good from what I can see. But wondering if there's any other amp as slim as them but still cheap?

Another one for you guys if you don't mind. What are the Samsung sound bar and subs like? Seen one for £90 new at argos. Are they any good? OK for a little bit more than what you TV will kick out for when your having a few beers? I don't want my house shaking, to old for all that but you probably know what I'm getting at :-)

lucid · 20 Jul 2015 at 09:32

koooowweeee said:
Another one for you guys if you don't mind. What are the Samsung sound bar and subs like? Seen one for £90 new at argos. Are they any good?

They're better than TV speakers sound, which is the whole point. A Hi-Fi amp and your Yamaha speakers should kick out more volume and will definitely kick out better quality but won't look as neat or have remote control.

koooowweeee · 20 Jul 2015 at 20:52

lucid said:
They're better than TV speakers sound, which is the whole point. A Hi-Fi amp and your Yamaha speakers should kick out more volume and will definitely kick out better quality but won't look as neat or have remote control.

Yeah it's where to put the speakers is my next issue :-/

Cheers guys