Associate
Looking to replace my dying Aiwa XR-EM20 (90/00s HiFi minisystem) in it's function as layman-good PC speakers for my partner's PC when we watch Netflix/DVDs. Neither of us are audiophiles and we're not interested in surround-sound.
We've been perfectly happy with the sound quality of the XR-EM20 but it cuts out and the LCD display is stuck/dim.
Looking to spend sub-£100 on some kind of amplifier and ideally keep existing 6 Ohm speakers to be replaced/upgraded later. Don't really care about tape/CD/radio but would be nice to be able to add them on later.
Focus is on longevity/stability over sound quality.
Inspired by Techmoan's series on a Beginner Budget Hifi Build, I've been looking at 80s/90s Recievers and Cassievers on eBay. A KENWOOD AX-31 Cassiever at £50 has caught my eye but I've also seen a Technics SA-K2L as a even cheaper option at £20 although it has one fewer input. The problem is with such pre-internet products you can't exactly look at reviews :/ .
The plan would be to pair such an amplifier with an affordable DAC with 3 optical inputs connected to it's Aux. That way the amp/speakers can be connected to my partner's PC (and 30-inch Apple Cinema HD display) for DVDs/Netflix but also a Chromecast Audio and my PC for my music collection.
A priority would therefore be a lack of hum as the amp would be kept on 24/7 connected to the chromecast audio.
What do you think? Am I crazy? Is there a better way of achieving the same effect? Am I being a bit too stingy? What's the advantage of the expensive, branded DACs over the numerous cheap ones? Is it a really bad idea to use 6 Ohm speakers with an 8-16 Ohm rated amp - even in the short term?
Thanks!
We've been perfectly happy with the sound quality of the XR-EM20 but it cuts out and the LCD display is stuck/dim.
Looking to spend sub-£100 on some kind of amplifier and ideally keep existing 6 Ohm speakers to be replaced/upgraded later. Don't really care about tape/CD/radio but would be nice to be able to add them on later.
Focus is on longevity/stability over sound quality.
Inspired by Techmoan's series on a Beginner Budget Hifi Build, I've been looking at 80s/90s Recievers and Cassievers on eBay. A KENWOOD AX-31 Cassiever at £50 has caught my eye but I've also seen a Technics SA-K2L as a even cheaper option at £20 although it has one fewer input. The problem is with such pre-internet products you can't exactly look at reviews :/ .
The plan would be to pair such an amplifier with an affordable DAC with 3 optical inputs connected to it's Aux. That way the amp/speakers can be connected to my partner's PC (and 30-inch Apple Cinema HD display) for DVDs/Netflix but also a Chromecast Audio and my PC for my music collection.
A priority would therefore be a lack of hum as the amp would be kept on 24/7 connected to the chromecast audio.
What do you think? Am I crazy? Is there a better way of achieving the same effect? Am I being a bit too stingy? What's the advantage of the expensive, branded DACs over the numerous cheap ones? Is it a really bad idea to use 6 Ohm speakers with an 8-16 Ohm rated amp - even in the short term?
Thanks!