Anyone ever buy a cheap chinese hifi amp?

[Lean L]

I am in need of a cheap sound system and am wondering if anyone has ever used something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Car-Mini-H...a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

SQ is the main concern.

Also, how are sony bookshelf speakers? Their vintage 3 ways speakers look tempting.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Would it be safe to say that you're looking for the best sound quality you can get in a 2.0/2.1 system for the $100-$200?

 

[Lean L]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Would it be safe to say that you're looking for the best sound quality you can get in a 2.0/2.1 system for the $100-$200?

Kinda but not quite. I need speakers for the next couple of months and wanna try for bookshelves. If the price gets high enough I might just end up getting the logitech z2300s though. Not sure at this point.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: iamanidiot

SQ is the main concern.

Save your money.

 

[mshan]

It's $13.

You'll be lucky if it doesn't exude some toxic substance.

Why don't you just buy some Audio Engine A2? There is often a discount coupon around if you google for it.

 

[Lean L]

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: iamanidiot

SQ is the main concern.

Save your money.

Well not superb quality obviously, but somthing that wont distort, or melt, can this amp do that?

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: iamanidiot

Well not superb quality obviously, but somthing that wont distort, or melt, can this amp do that?

Yes it will do everything you don't want it to do!

It's powered by a small coaxial jack like a router for crying out loud!

It would probably be loud with headphones.

 

[Lean L]

here is a pic of the guts of almost the same thing. http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/depotzz/P66-011.jpg

As long as there are no cap quality issues. It uses a dc plug but it requires 4-6 amps so the adaptor would look like a laptop adaptor. Basically as long as the hardware has no issues, ~20 watts rms per speaker should be good for this purpose.

 

[moonboy403]

Well, let's just say that there isn't anything inherently wrong with Chinese made audio equipments. However, like all products made from other countries, there are certainly good ones and bad ones.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: iamanidiot
here is a pic of the guts of almost the same thing. http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/depotzz/P66-011.jpg

As long as there are no cap quality issues. It uses a dc plug but it requires 4-6 amps so the adaptor would look like a laptop adaptor. Basically as long as the hardware has no issues, ~20 watts rms per speaker should be good for this purpose.

20 watts rms , stereo requires about 12VDC@6A with that type of circuit. Quality is going to be poor. They are using a 5 cent JRC op amp in the circuit, can't tell what the transistors are, probably some cheap 10 cent PNP pairs. That capacitor, resistors, output capacitors, isn't anywhere near what is needed for 40 watts total output. Looks like about a 10 watt total , 5 watts per channel at best design.

 

[mojaveron]

I have no experience with that mini amp, but I have been using the Pylepro PCA3 mini amp with a pair of BEHRINGER B2030P book shelf speakers for some time now and the sound is great better than any computer speaker sets I've auditioned. they have about three different models of the amp with various outputs. hears a link below.


http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-2x7...1P2R1RW/ref=pd_sim_e_3

 

[richardycc]

isn't this a car amp? why are you using a car amp in a home system?

 

[ivan2]

cheapest way to get good sound is with the tripath opamp. i am willing to bet that this will sound better.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tripath-2-...f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

but I am not gonna bet you that it will last. there are good chinese hifi equipment, but you have to pay more than 12 for it (doh!), and most complain seems to be on the longivity side.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: ivan2
cheapest way to get good sound is with the tripath opamp. i am willing to bet that this will sound better.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tripath-2-...f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

but I am not gonna bet you that it will last. there are good chinese hifi equipment, but you have to pay more than 12 for it (doh!), and most complain seems to be on the longivity side.

That amp is not much better than the first one.
From the ad:

This Item includes power supply( DC 12V, current 0.2A ~ 1.5A is also no problem).

P.M.P.O 2X180W
R.M.S 2X20W
Input power 12v 2A DC

40 watts output from 24 watts of power. It is 170% efficient. It not only produces sound, it makes its own power .

 

[ivan2]

for half of this (http://www.parts-express.com/p...r=300-380&ctab=5#Tabs), might as well give it a shot. shipping kills it though =(

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: ivan2
for half of this (http://www.parts-express.com/p...r=300-380&ctab=5#Tabs), might as well give it a shot. shipping kills it though =(

I have the original Sonic T-amp version of that and it's been working great now that I have the right power supply for it

 

[darkswordsman17]

How big of a room will these be in (and what use, as in music, gaming, movies, etc)? My guess if your best bet is going to be nab a receiver for cheap and use that. Vintage stereo receivers would probably be perfect for you.

 

[Lean L]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
How big of a room will these be in (and what use, as in music, gaming, movies, etc)? My guess if your best bet is going to be nab a receiver for cheap and use that. Vintage stereo receivers would probably be perfect for you.

less than 100ft^2, it would be all purpose, pc, tv and music, I'll be living in a small area for a while... I'll also have roomates so I don't really need or want it to be loud. My initial thought was to get a receiver too but could not find one for a good price.

 

[Modelworks]

Some speakers I use for my pc that I really like, they have a very good class A amp and they sound great. Well built and not expensive for what you get.
Behringer MS20 Powered studio monitors $99

They are 20 watts and have optical/coaxial/RCA input jacks with headphone jack on the front. They plug directly into the wall so no need for wall adapter. The amplifier is integrated into the right speaker.
They also make a 40 watt version for $30 more.
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BEH-MS20-LIST
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BEH-MS40-LIST

* 2-way active studio monitors ideally suited for computer studios, audio and multimedia workstations and keyboard monitoring
* Built-in powerful 2 x 20-Watt amplifiers with immense headroom
* Powerful woofers and high-resolution tweeters provide an ultra-linear frequency response
* Ultra-high resolution 24-bit/192 kHz D/A converters for an incredible dynamic range
* Optical and coaxial inputs to directly connect digital audio sources by S/PDIF interface
* Two stereo analog inputs featuring 1/8-inch TRS and stereo RCA connectors can be used simultaneously or mixed with a digital stereo source
* Individual Volume controls for both Line inputs plus Bass and Treble EQ controls 1/4-inch TRS headphone connector with auto-mute loudspeaker function easily accessible on the front panel
* Magnetically shielded for placement near computer monitors
* High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
* Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany

 

[Lean L]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
Some speakers I use for my pc that I really like, they have a very good class A amp and they sound great. Well built and not expensive for what you get.
Behringer MS20 Powered studio monitors $99

They are 20 watts and have optical/coaxial/RCA input jacks with headphone jack on the front. They plug directly into the wall so no need for wall adapter. The amplifier is integrated into the right speaker.
They also make a 40 watt version for $30 more.
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BEH-MS20-LIST
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BEH-MS40-LIST

* 2-way active studio monitors ideally suited for computer studios, audio and multimedia workstations and keyboard monitoring
* Built-in powerful 2 x 20-Watt amplifiers with immense headroom
* Powerful woofers and high-resolution tweeters provide an ultra-linear frequency response
* Ultra-high resolution 24-bit/192 kHz D/A converters for an incredible dynamic range
* Optical and coaxial inputs to directly connect digital audio sources by S/PDIF interface
* Two stereo analog inputs featuring 1/8-inch TRS and stereo RCA connectors can be used simultaneously or mixed with a digital stereo source
* Individual Volume controls for both Line inputs plus Bass and Treble EQ controls 1/4-inch TRS headphone connector with auto-mute loudspeaker function easily accessible on the front panel
* Magnetically shielded for placement near computer monitors
* High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
* Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany

That looks pretty awesome. Thanks. How do these compare to the maudio: http://www.m-audio.com/product...iophileBX5aDeluxe.html ?

My friend had a pair of these and the sound blew me away, I was amazed even more by the fact that he was using a codec soundcard and vista drivers... I know they won't be as loud, but will they still have that accuracy?

 

[uhohs]

get one of the tripath based ones. like the lepai one for 20-30.

thread from diyaudio.com

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: iamanidiot

That looks pretty awesome. Thanks. How do these compare to the maudio: http://www.m-audio.com/product...iophileBX5aDeluxe.html ?

My friend had a pair of these and the sound blew me away, I was amazed even more by the fact that he was using a codec soundcard and vista drivers... I know they won't be as loud, but will they still have that accuracy?

I think they compare pretty well. As you said they will not be as loud but as far as quality of the sound I think they are very close with the Maudio looking at the specs for both.

The behringer set use a very good crystal DAC that is also used in a lot of home stereo recievers so if you have something with optical out or coax to connect it really sounds great. I use optical to connect to my pc because it removes any chance of the noise generated from the pc from getting into the output sound.
Also no chance of ground loops.

 

[EvilYoda]

Whoops...I thought you were talking in terms of Cayin or something.

 

[ericlp]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: ivan2
for half of this (http://www.parts-express.com/p...r=300-380&ctab=5#Tabs), might as well give it a shot. shipping kills it though =(

I have the original Sonic T-amp version of that and it's been working great now that I have the right power supply for it

I too have an Original Sonic T-amp. It's the BEST amp I have ever heard. Tho, I've never spent over 500 bucks on an amp. It just sounds amazing but you got to have some really efficient speakers if you want the best bang. I'm using a pair of infinities studio 2000.1 I think the sensitivity is 93.

To me it sounds fantastic --- your results may very!

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/sonicimpact/t.html

There are 3 pages to this review and I suggest you read the entire write up before your purchase. Like Yo-yo, I'm using a battery it's 13.3 volts for power. Don't use a switching power supply for these amps.


One more review for the naysayers.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/t-amp_e.html



I was kinda convinced if you had good speaker wire, and good speakers a sub 500 dollar amp would do the trick! Well, only if your watching movies that require a 5.1 DTS setup. As the T-amp sadly is only stereo. ...

All you need is a GOOD amp, Good Speakers, and for me, any decent copper speaker wire (at least 16 gauge) and your golden. It's amazing that the best sound I have come across is a 35.00 amp with a bit of modification and some efficient speakers...

Good Luck.

 

[iGas]

Most consumer amps are made in China or Malaysia. Better Amps are made in Western Europe, North America (excluding Mexico), and Japan.

Even brand name such as Denon amps are made in China/Malaysia, but fortunately my Denon AVR-989 is made in Japan.