Need a small, basic receiver

[imported_blip]

I want to connect an Apple Airport Express I have to a set of speakers. I have a set of speakers lying around, and I have a receiver, but it's pretty bulky and doesn't really blend in to the bookshelf where I want to put them. Anyone have a recommendation for a small receiver? I'm not worried too much about power or perfect sound, I just need an RCA L/R input and connections for speaker wires out. Cheaper the better, and it needs to be less than 13" wide.
I searched Amazon for "mini amplifier" but the reviews are all over the place. I think these would work for my purpose, but I would like and input from anyone here that has a rec.

Thanks!

 

[EliteRetard]

Why not, one last post before I go.

Seems like the standard recommendation was always the Lepai LP-2020 A+, but the company that made the audio chip they used in that unit went out of business. So they made a newer model with a texas instruments chip (TPA3118). Aptly named Lepai LP-2020 TI.

Can be had for under $30:
http://www.parts-express.com/lepai-...io-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-3000

Though it really needs a heatsink on the TI chip, which isn't to hard to do if you have spare PC parts laying around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2L5UfBW_Xg
With a good sized heatsink, you could even get a bigger PSU for more power/volume. Can easily find old 19v laptop PSUs (3 amp or better) under $10.

Example (though these may not have the right polarity or tips):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q8QMRKG/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HZADDWO/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

Edit: 18v could work too, and I'm sure you could even rig this to run off a tool battery if you wished 😀

 

[giantpandaman2]

Or you could pick up a tube amp like this or this. Depends how much you want it to look cool.

 

[imported_blip]

Thanks for the tips. I'll probably go with something like the Lepai. Not worried about looks really. I didn't realize you could just add a bigger power supply. I thought the guts of the machine controlled how much power is passed along. Good idea!
I realized I also have a subwoofer laying around but is that asking too much of one of these small units?


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[Mike64]

Thanks for the tips. I'll probably go with something like the Lepai. Not worried about looks really. I didn't realize you could just add a bigger power supply. I thought the guts of the machine controlled how much power is passed along. Good idea!

Well, they do (limit the power, the guts, I mean), but that only happens when more than the maximum usable power is available in the first place. As long as the voltage is well-regulated, you can't really supply "too much current" to an amp, but they will (usually) work to one extent or the other on less power than is ideal and unless it's severely under-powered, you might not notice it, most of the time anyway...