Cheap, yet a quality AMP
- Thread starter Zeebedy
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Thanks! How would I connect passive speakers that have two (black + Red) connectors on each speaker?
Yes or take a look at the smsl 36a
The Syba sonic, is a headphone amp not a speaker amp. Hardyxd got a bit mixed up. Possibly missed the part where you mentioned about speakers.
SMSL SA36 or 50, maj mentioned, is a good choice for cheap small speaker amp.
There are some decent active speakers to be had, such as those from Edifier, if you'd prefer to go that route. They are very good, but one advantage to buying passive speakers and an amp, is that you can get many passive speakers that cost less than they used to. Active speakers don't drop in price the same way.
Also passive speakers are more solid in terms of reliability. As they have no amp inside, they have less electronics. Electronics will be the thing that go in active speakers, if there is an issue. With cheaper active speakers, more corners are cut to meet a price point. Very often that is that power supply. If it ever comes to it; cheaper to replace the amp, than the speakers.
Depending on what size of speaker you want and how much you want to spend, Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 are great speakers for around £50 from Richer Sounds.
The Syba sonic, is a headphone amp not a speaker amp. Hardyxd got a bit mixed up. Possibly missed the part where you mentioned about speakers.
SMSL SA36 or 50, maj mentioned, is a good choice for cheap small speaker amp.
There are some decent active speakers to be had, such as those from Edifier, if you'd prefer to go that route. They are very good, but one advantage to buying passive speakers and an amp, is that you can get many passive speakers that cost less than they used to. Active speakers don't drop in price the same way.
Also passive speakers are more solid in terms of reliability. As they have no amp inside, they have less electronics. Electronics will be the thing that go in active speakers, if there is an issue. With cheaper active speakers, more corners are cut to meet a price point. Very often that is that power supply. If it ever comes to it; cheaper to replace the amp, than the speakers.
Depending on what size of speaker you want and how much you want to spend, Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 are great speakers for around £50 from Richer Sounds.
Thanks for the clarification mate.
I currently have the Razer Nommo 2.0 speakers, would I notice a worthwhile change to the said amp and WD 9.0 to warrent a upgrade?
Could I use these : https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasi...ords=speaker+cable&qid=1587397604&sr=8-9&th=1
instead of bare speaker wire?
instead of bare speaker wire?
I'd be very surprised if you found there were not a noticeable improvement.
The issue with many small PC speakers is either the speaker driver/woofers used are too small, or the cabinet/enclosure is too small. You don't get much body to the sound then, hence why many come with a subwoofer to make up for the lack of lower frequencies. Having 2.1 brings it's own problems though, in that there is a disconnection between the small satellite speakers and subwoofer, when it comes to the sound; as if there is a hole or something missing.
I notice that Razer markets those Nommo speakers as being 'full range'. I'm sorry, but that's just marketing nonsense, praying on those who don't know better. It's a flat out lie. Only floor standing or large stand mount speakers can be full range. As mentioned above, such small speakers are too limited in the frequency they can output.
Whether the improvement is worth the cost outlay, I suppose will depend on the listener. That is somewhat harder to account for, as people have different preferences and expectations.
Yes, that is just speaker cable with banana plugs on each end. Both amp and speaker will have binding posts that take banana plugs.
There are some cheaper amps though that only have screw terminals, where you can only use bare wire ends. Those with the name Lepy. They are cheaper than the SMSL, but I would only go for one of those if you absolutely cannot spend any more.
I should point out that those cables you linked with the banana plugs; I think you only get the one cable. You'd need two, so that's nearly £24. I suppose it depends of spending the extra for the convenience of not having to use bare wire ends and screw them in, is worth it.
The issue with many small PC speakers is either the speaker driver/woofers used are too small, or the cabinet/enclosure is too small. You don't get much body to the sound then, hence why many come with a subwoofer to make up for the lack of lower frequencies. Having 2.1 brings it's own problems though, in that there is a disconnection between the small satellite speakers and subwoofer, when it comes to the sound; as if there is a hole or something missing.
I notice that Razer markets those Nommo speakers as being 'full range'. I'm sorry, but that's just marketing nonsense, praying on those who don't know better. It's a flat out lie. Only floor standing or large stand mount speakers can be full range. As mentioned above, such small speakers are too limited in the frequency they can output.
Whether the improvement is worth the cost outlay, I suppose will depend on the listener. That is somewhat harder to account for, as people have different preferences and expectations.
Yes, that is just speaker cable with banana plugs on each end. Both amp and speaker will have binding posts that take banana plugs.
There are some cheaper amps though that only have screw terminals, where you can only use bare wire ends. Those with the name Lepy. They are cheaper than the SMSL, but I would only go for one of those if you absolutely cannot spend any more.
I should point out that those cables you linked with the banana plugs; I think you only get the one cable. You'd need two, so that's nearly £24. I suppose it depends of spending the extra for the convenience of not having to use bare wire ends and screw them in, is worth it.
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Thanks for the time @Marsman
I ordered the Lepy Amp, as I can screw it into the under side of my desk. And went for the Wharfdale Diamond 9.0 speakers, with speaker stands, and the bits and bobs (cable, speaker and RCA etc..)
Once I receive and have setup I will return the Nommos as they are OK but lack bass, but are good for the sizes tbh!
Will post back once I have it all, wount be until teh weekend though
I ordered the Lepy Amp, as I can screw it into the under side of my desk. And went for the Wharfdale Diamond 9.0 speakers, with speaker stands, and the bits and bobs (cable, speaker and RCA etc..)
Once I receive and have setup I will return the Nommos as they are OK but lack bass, but are good for the sizes tbh!
Will post back once I have it all, wount be until teh weekend though
Glad to help. I use a similar set up myself. I have a Topping TP21 amp and Roth Oli speakers. They are the same size as the Wharfedale's and for my desk, just right. Anything larger would be too big! 
Did you go for desk speaker stands or floor standing ones?
Just curious, as some people do use desk stands to raise the speakers so the tweeter is ear height, and to help decouple the speakers from the desk to stop unwanted vibrations.
Did you go for desk speaker stands or floor standing ones?
Just curious, as some people do use desk stands to raise the speakers so the tweeter is ear height, and to help decouple the speakers from the desk to stop unwanted vibrations.
Glad to help. I use a similar set up myself. I have a Topping TP21 amp and Roth Oli speakers. They are the same size as the Wharfedale's and for my desk, just right. Anything larger would be too big!
Did you go for desk speaker stands or floor standing ones?
Just curious, as some people do use desk stands to raise the speakers so the tweeter is ear height, and to help decouple the speakers from the desk to stop unwanted vibrations.
Yes mate, I bought desk stands, I think they can be adjusted to be a few customisable settings for height!
I put my amp's into standby mode, or at least soft off. The reason is it's kinder to electronics as it reduces the repeated surge of main power off/on over time.
Regarding warm up, yes you can get a change in sound, normally amps sound better after 20mins or so off use. You'll be hard pressed to notice the warm up on a modern class B amplifier, however I still believe it's there.
I went for this AMP - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00SATAEEA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
So im guessing I cant "standby mode" or "soft off" no?
This is correct, the issue with most 2.1 setups is the satellite speakers are to small resulting in poor mids.
Edifier however now produce a 2.1 setup with larger satellite speakers, that's worth a look at.
https://www.edifier.com/int/en/speakers/s350db
These can be found for £250 on google.
That appears to only have hard power off.
BTW I would have purchased an amp with more wattage (more headroom), when you have more wattage you have less distortion and the speakers are driven better.
The same happens in computer PSU's, the more margin a computer PSU has the less ripple it normally gives out.
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