Small amp recommendations

IvanDobskey · 22 Aug 2023 at 10:10

I currently have an audiolab M-one to power my bookshelf speakers and headphones. An expensive mistake really as I get all sorts of buzzing and picking up of radio stations while using it. So I have had enough and want to replace it.

Looking for a small, cheap amp that just does the job. Doesn't have to be particularly powerful. For use with gaming and a bit of light music use.

siumatfung · 22 Aug 2023 at 10:49

IvanDobskey said:
I currently have an audiolab M-one to power my bookshelf speakers and headphones. An expensive mistake really as I get all sorts of buzzing and picking up of radio stations while using it. So I have had enough and want to replace it.

Looking for a small, cheap amp that just does the job. Doesn't have to be particularly powerful. For use with gaming and a bit of light music use.

ifi zen v2 otherwise a focusrite scarlette as a cheaper alternative

IvanDobskey · 22 Aug 2023 at 10:58

siumatfung said:
ifi zen v2 otherwise a focusrite scarlette as a cheaper alternative

Is the zen V2 up to powering bookshelf speakers?

siumatfung · 22 Aug 2023 at 10:59

IvanDobskey said:
Is the zen V2 up to powering bookshelf speakers?

Which speakers do you have?

IvanDobskey · 22 Aug 2023 at 11:11

siumatfung said:
Which speakers do you have?

I have a pair of Q acoustics 2020i bookshelf speakers. I don't need them to be particularly loud though.

siumatfung · 22 Aug 2023 at 11:20

IvanDobskey said:
I have a pair of Q acoustics 2020i bookshelf speakers. I don't need them to be particularly loud though.

Yes it will have tbh since the speakers on need 6ohms and it driving my hd650 just fine

IvanDobskey · 22 Aug 2023 at 11:21

Thanks will take a look.

Was also looking at the SMSL AD18. Anyone know much about this?

IvanDobskey · 22 Aug 2023 at 11:44

Or maybe the topping mx3?

I see this can be had for about £118

mattyfez · 22 Aug 2023 at 12:56

Define cheap?

I have a tangent ampster 2 mini amp, great little bit of kit and great value at £160

Tangent Ampster BT II

Discover the Tangent Ampster BT II, a compact and powerful amplifier boasting top-tier sound quality and the latest Bluetooth technology. Its versatile connectivity and sleek design make it a perfect fit for any audio setup, effortlessly blending style with performance.

www.tangent-audio.com

IvanDobskey · 22 Aug 2023 at 13:30

mattyfez said:
Define cheap?

I have a tangent ampster 2 mini amp, great little bit of kit and great value at £160

Tangent Ampster BT II

Discover the Tangent Ampster BT II, a compact and powerful amplifier boasting top-tier sound quality and the latest Bluetooth technology. Its versatile connectivity and sleek design make it a perfect fit for any audio setup, effortlessly blending style with performance.

www.tangent-audio.com

Looks nice, but no headphone socket

IvanDobskey · 23 Aug 2023 at 12:13

Ordered a topping mx3 for £117

Hoping it'll be adequate

IvanDobskey · 25 Aug 2023 at 10:57

Just got the amp all hooked up. Have to say I'm blown away by this thing for the money. Drives my 2020i's perfectly and headphone amp sounds good. Can't believe how tiny it is

Only negative is the remote feels the quality of something that dropped out of a Christmas cracker.

mrk · 17 Sep 2023 at 21:58

IvanDobskey said:
Just got the amp all hooked up. Have to say I'm blown away by this thing for the money. Drives my 2020i's perfectly and headphone amp sounds good. Can't believe how tiny it is

Only negative is the remote feels the quality of something that dropped out of a Christmas cracker.

What model remote does the MX3 come with? I bought the MX3s the other day and that comes with the RC13A which I think is rather good quality, especially when compared to the NAD amp-3 remote that comes with a £700 amp :cry:

IvanDobskey · 18 Sep 2023 at 09:37

mrk said:
What model remote does the MX3 come with? I bought the MX3s the other day and that comes with the RC13A which I think is rather good quality, especially when compared to the NAD amp-3 remote that comes with a £700 amp

Looks to be a much better remote with the mx3s. Mine is super flimsy, it actually flexes slightly when you hold it and push the off button

mrk · 18 Sep 2023 at 10:06

Interesting, I guess they changed the plastic thickness or something in the A revision

IvanDobskey · 18 Sep 2023 at 10:11

mrk said:
Interesting, I guess they changed the plastic thickness or something in the A revision

I've had milk cartons with thicker plastic than this remote

jaybee · 18 Sep 2023 at 10:20

I've got the Loxjie A30 which is similar. It's an amazing little thing.

mrk · 18 Sep 2023 at 10:51

That tangent amp mentioned looks like a near copy of the Topping! The only diff being the power supply is built in so the unit is actually a bit chunkier. Be interesting to see the innards as I bet it shares similarities there too! The remotes aren't too different either!

IvanDobskey · 18 Sep 2023 at 10:59

I liked the look of the Loxjie too. Couldn't find one easily available for a good price though.

mrk · 18 Sep 2023 at 11:04

It's on Amazon right now for £169 as was looking earlier, does look very nice, metal build, compact, OLED display, but be wary, if it uses the display tech like NAD's D 7050, then within a year it will burn-in and fade. The later models (D 3045) had the same screen but use auto screen dimming and off features to reduce the effect of burn in, but after 3 years of having mine it was clear that some burn-in was there especially on input sources used most often as that text on the display is darker slightly than the other text when changing inputs etc.

that would be my only concern about OLED based matrix displays. That's also why I was pleased to see a VFD style display on the Topping :cool: