Low Profile Reciever

[littlebitstrouds]

I've got a couple of descent bookshelf speakers left over from my recent upgrade in my living room. I only use headphones for my pc, however I'd like to hook these speakers up to my computer via a small for factor receiver. I'm using a X-fi Elite box and would prefer hooking up something via spdif. Are there any descent but not bank breaking receivers that fill this void, I seem to remember something being recommended a while back to someone who had the same problem but I can't remember the product? BTW, 5.1 isn't necessary but I could eventually fill the spots. Thanks.

 

[Nohr]

The Panasonic XR55 & 57 digital receivers are relatively short compared to regular analog ones if that's what you mean by low profile. They're 7.1 and run for ~$200 XR55, a bit more for the XR57 w/HDMI.

 

[littlebitstrouds]

Thanks for the suggestion... While I might go this route, because overkill is sometimes a free upgrade later... I was hoping for something even less complicated... a simple amplification would do, as I don't need any video signal or even radio capablities.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Radio Shack has some small amplifiers, I don't hink they have digital inputs though, just analog.

For spdif you need either a real receiver or high-end set of powered speakers.

 

[Tiamat]

most integrated amps do not process digital signal, so you automatically have to jump to getting a receiver which will have lots of features you may not even need. In the entry level price range, the best you can do is probably the Panasonic as it has a class d amp which allows for the smaller form factor. Additionally, it will be able to act as your volume control, source selector, dac, while staying barely warm to the touch. Check out amazon.com I've seen some silver X55 go for as low as 150$ in the past few months.

 

[pennylane]

I agree that, if the possibility of 5.1 is realistic, you should go with a receiver, even if it has features you probably won't need. That Panasonic would be good. The deal comes and goes so you have to be on the look out.

 

[Excelsior]

I agree with everyone else.

There really isn't a product out there that fits what you want. Although there should be..there just isn't. If you really wanted to go the route you're talking about, you could get a DAC and a used analog integrated amp (or just forget the SPDIF and go analog from your soundcard to the amp).

But really, a receiver that can do what you need isn't expensive. Since others have mentioned it, I have an XR-55 myself which I mostly use for two channel + sub listening. I run toslink from my soundcard to it which works out really well. I can toss in a DVD and instantly have DD/DTS without having to change any part of my setup.

 

[littlebitstrouds]

K thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to go the route of the XR-55... who knows, maybe one day I'll have a multiroom house where I could use an extra reciever anyway

Thanks for the advice.