Need a music player that can connect to "standard" speakers

[Maverick2002]

I'm looking to purchase a hard-drive based music player that can connect to a pair of normal speakers. By normal I mean the ones with the thin black and red wires. Do they make those at all? I also have an old receiver I could connect through I guess, but I'd need an audio output for that. Any suggestions?

I have a pair of really nice speakers and want to make a stereo out of it, but I don't want to invest in a CD changer or any of that - prefer to go digital.

 

[corkyg]

"Standard" speakers are analog, not digital. If your sound card has a good amplifier, you can connect via a patch cable to your card's LINE OUT port (usually green.) But, best results will be to use a small stereo amp that accepts the "standard" speakers and then connect its LINE IN to the sound card's LINE OUT.

 

[Maverick2002]

Yes, you're right. I'd like this to be a standalone player though, independent of my PC. Ideal situation is a hard drive connected to something which can then connect to the analog speakers.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

The "Standard" analog speakers you are talking about are unpowered. You need something that has an amp to power them...most commonly a receiver. It's possible also to get a powered sound card or a small stereo amp (like a dayton t-amp from partsexpress). There is no " hard drive" kind of unit that will also include an audio amplifier.

 

[corkyg]

Agree. I use these small Radio Shack Sa-155 stereo amps (made by RCA) on each of my computers. I connect them to standard KLH speaker systems bought at Costco several years ago - includes a sub-woofer. Excellent sound - better than canned PC amplified speakers. You can still find these on E-Bay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RCA-SA-155-Inte...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3357d06edc

 

[Zap]

Go for a T-Amp hooked up to your speakers and use a normal MP3 player as a source. Alternately, can get a receiver. Buy a cheap used one, or go for one of the cheap stereo (not surround) models such as the Best Buy house brand Insignia. Can often get those new for under $100.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

Go for a T-Amp hooked up to your speakers and use a normal MP3 player as a source. Alternately, can get a receiver. Buy a cheap used one, or go for one of the cheap stereo (not surround) models such as the Best Buy house brand Insignia. Can often get those new for under $100.

The bestbuy house brand receivers are rather good for the price. They are rebranded sherwoods.