What sort of Amp should I get

[almoststew1990]

I have recently bought a house and one thing I was looking forward to that I couldn't do whenr renting was getting a proper amp and wall mounted 4 speakers for 2x stereo for my "office". I have quite basic requirements for input - 3x RCA or 3.5mm inputs. The thing is, I like retro things, so I am tempted to get a retro amplifier. How will this differ to a modern amp?

For instance I have found this which has the following specs

Power output: 18 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 5Hz to 60kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 1%
Damping factor: 40
Input sensitivity: 2.8mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 70dB (MM), 90dB (line)

I look at a basic modern amp like this which is the cheapest I could find with 2x stereo output has specs like this:

90Watts(!) 8ohm
20Hz to 20KHz
0.09% HD
Input Sensitivity = 500mv (audio in)
Signal to Noise = 80db (Phono in)
The room is quite small so I don't need lots of volume (I'm sure I don't need 4x speakers, that is just for the novelty of having sounds coming from everywhere)

I don't know what most of that means but the office is a small room so I'm not too bothered about the output watts. I'm more interested in sound quality.

What sort of Amp do I need? Are either of those going to be any good? Is 4x speakers not worth it for a box room?

 

[almoststew1990]

Which speakers are you looking at?

No idea yet other than bookcase sized ones. I was planning on getting those after, or should I be doing this the other way around?

 

[almoststew1990]

Thanks, a very useful post.

I've found a Technics SA-101L for £20. Similar specs but no idea how it would actually sound! I might just give it a try for £20. It's also an FM receiver not that I have a proper aerial.