PC Speaker 2.1 Amplifier/Receiver Recommendations

[Golgatha]

I currently have the following receiver.

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/desktop-audio/rp-u100_silver__u/?mode=model

I'd like something to replace it, as the volume dial is failing on my current unit, and I'd love to have more power. I have 2 optical inputs. One from PC and one from my LED TV. I have a dedicated dual 8in Yamaha powered subwoofer, which has line level and RCA type connections, and two JBL bookshelf speakers hooked up to my current receiver.

Any recommendations? Let's say sub $500 price range. Thanks in advance.

 

[Durvelle27]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115373

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290204

$489

 

[sdifox]

or you can open it up and clean the volume knob.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukA8Qy-M4fY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njwi-GwJBzc&feature=related

this should serve your purpose if all you want is stereo

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8050...d=1343858107&sr=8-12&keywords=stereo+receiver

 

[Googer]

If you can spring for a tad bit more, I'd go with this Bose busting system.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_Package.html

 

[sdifox]

If you can spring for a tad bit more, I'd go with this Bose busting system.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_Package.html

Why mention bose at all? he is just looking to power his existing speakers.

 

[Durvelle27]

If you can spring for a tad bit more, I'd go with this Bose busting system.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_Package.html

why would he waste his money on that when he has a subwoofer and speakers already ?

 

[Googer]

why would he waste his money on that when he has a subwoofer and speakers already ?

For one, he's getting a receiver. Which is the 1st step towers a super flexible, do it all system. Two, hes getting compact speakers. Three, hes getting surround sound. Four, VOLUME IS REMOTE CONTROLLED!!

 

[Googer]

Why mention bose at all? he is just looking to power his existing speakers.

Bose is a general waste of cash. For the most part, you are buying a name. You can do better for less money.

 

[Googer]

This might be a tad out of your price range but it's a worthy mention: Axiom Audio Bytes Speakers have everything you are looking for: external volume, high quality sound from a reputable company. I also think a pair of Sennheiser Wireless Headphones would be the best bet here. It save space, provide better fidelity than any speaker could, and can be used on both the PC and PS3 or any other device that has toslink or RCA analog. The RS220 is in your price range.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/audiobytecomputerspeakers.html
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/wireless-stereo-headphones-home

 

[_Rick_]

I have a Harman/Kardon HK3490, that is probably a reasonably good fit for what you're looking for.
There's a very, very low, constant volume noise on the headphone output, but I don't use that. It's maybe a bit overkill for your application.

 

[Golgatha]

For one, he's getting a receiver. Which is the 1st step towers a super flexible, do it all system. Two, hes getting compact speakers. Three, hes getting surround sound. Four, VOLUME IS REMOTE CONTROLLED!!

Sorry, this is for my computer only and there is no room for surround sound, nor would I want to wire for it. The space is small enough that the surround effects would be largely wasted anyway. I have a 5.1 Klipsch setup for movies in the man cave though .

Ideally I'd like a receiver I can stand up next to the monitor on the top of my desk, where the volume control is readily accessible. I like to keep my computer volume constant and just adjust it at the amp.

 

[Golgatha]

This might be a tad out of your price range but it's a worthy mention: Axiom Audio Bytes Speakers have everything you are looking for: external volume, high quality sound from a reputable company. I also think a pair of Sennheiser Wireless Headphones would be the best bet here. It save space, provide better fidelity than any speaker could, and can be used on both the PC and PS3 or any other device that has toslink or RCA analog. The RS220 is in your price range.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/audiobytecomputerspeakers.html
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/wireless-stereo-headphones-home

Nice alternatives. I'm using a high end set of wired Sennheiser headphones currently for late night gaming and when I play Online due to reverb from the speakers to my microphone. I definitely like their products. I typically prefer wired because I know there's no compression going on and there are no batteries to worry about failing or recharging though. I'll give the speaker setup serious consideration though. Thanks again.

 

[Golgatha]

For one, he's getting a receiver. Which is the 1st step towers a super flexible, do it all system. Two, hes getting compact speakers. Three, hes getting surround sound. Four, VOLUME IS REMOTE CONTROLLED!!

I actually don't want a remote. I just want to reach near the monitor and physically dial in the volume I want.

 

[Googer]

Sorry, this is for my computer only and there is no room for surround sound, nor would I want to wire for it. The space is small enough that the surround effects would be largely wasted anyway. I have a 5.1 Klipsch setup for movies in the man cave though .

Ideally I'd like a receiver I can stand up next to the monitor on the top of my desk, where the volume control is readily accessible. I like to keep my computer volume constant and just adjust it at the amp.

Nice alternatives. I'm using a high end set of wired Sennheiser headphones currently for late night gaming and when I play Online due to reverb from the speakers to my microphone. I definitely like their products. I typically prefer wired because I know there's no compression going on and there are no batteries to worry about failing or recharging though. I'll give the speaker setup serious consideration though. Thanks again.

Sennheisers KLEER Technology is 99% as good as a wired connection. I don't know if the RS220 uses KLEER. But the RS180 does, thats where I'd bank my money.

Maybe a nice desktop headphone amp with pre-amplifer outputs for a remotely located amplifer and some small sattelite speakers (bose sized) would work? I know you can pick up a decent 2ch onkyo amp* used on ebay for under $100. If (desktop) space is the issue, I think wall mounting would be the way to go. Alternativly, Focal makes a set of computer-ipod speakers that might fit the bill. Though I think axioms are a better deal.

http://www.headphone.com/accessories/focal-xs-21-ipod-system.php

Small, desktop sized Pre-amplifer
http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/headroom-ultra-desktop-amp.php


*Addendum: Onkyo's M282 sells for under 100 on ebay. Add a 10 foot rca cable and located the amp somewhere other than at your desk, like on another table

 

[Daf]

I used to have the Yamaha 373 posted above for $300 but all I had with it was problems so I took it back. The focals posted by googer seem like a great set but a little over price range, me and you both.

 

[Googer]

I used to have the Yamaha 373 posted above for $300 but all I had with it was problems so I took it back. The focals posted by googer seem like a great set but a little over price range, me and you both.

The Focal's look nice but in my eyes look like another possible overpriced Bose. I have not heard them, so I can not honestly make a recomendation. Headroom has a no return policy on those speakers, so I don't know how you would audition them.

 

[Googer]

Onkyo's A-5VL is the closest thing at this moment that I can find which matches the old Yamaha you are trying to replace. It has SPDIF input, BURR-BROWN DACs and more power. Head room recently discontinued their line of speaker amplifiers. They were as compact as the Yamaha you have and designed for small spaces. If you can find a pair used somewhere, its a fantastic deal and the prefect complement to a small headphone amp/pre-amp.

http://onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=A-5VL&class=Amplifier&p=s
http://www.head-fi.org/t/307033/headrooms-upcoming-speaker-amps

 

[Golgatha]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I actually found an excellent condition replacement on eBay for $113 shipped. I'm going to try and fix the volume control on my unit now that I have a viable replacement.

 

[Googer]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I actually found an excellent condition replacement on eBay for $113 shipped. I'm going to try and fix the volume control on my unit now that I have a viable replacement.

I saw that one on ebay. Why disassemble perfectly good functional unit to fix one that is broken? Keep your older existing one around for future parts.

 

[Golgatha]

I saw that one on ebay. Why disassemble perfectly good functional unit to fix one that is broken? Keep your older existing one around for future parts.

No, I'm going to keep the new one, and try to fix up the old one. Hopefully I'll have 2 fully functional units once it's all said and done, so I can have backup hardware for the future. Yea, I suppose I'm a bit resistant to change, but it's really sad someone doesn't have a better solution than circa 2001 hardware for a stereo computer setup.

 

[Googer]

No, I'm going to keep the new one, and try to fix up the old one. Hopefully I'll have 2 fully functional units once it's all said and done, so I can have backup hardware for the future. Yea, I suppose I'm a bit resistant to change, but it's really sad someone doesn't have a better solution than circa 2001 hardware for a stereo computer setup.

I do agree to a point. Those Yamaha's were unique trailblazers, but USB AMPS are more common than you might think. Pioneer ELITE makes an integrated AMP for critical listening with USB. Add a separate tuner and you have something equal to your old unit.


This thing is of a much higher caliber than your old Yamaha.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Amplifiers/SX-A9MK2-K

 

[JAG87]

I do agree to a point. Those Yamaha's were unique trailblazers, but USB AMPS are more common than you might think. Pioneer ELITE makes an integrated AMP for critical listening with USB. Add a separate tuner and you have something equal to your old unit.


This thing is of a much higher caliber than your old Yamaha.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Amplifiers/SX-A9MK2-K

I have one and I can attest to the quality of this amp.

It also has an FM tuner, FYI.

 

[Golgatha]

I do agree to a point. Those Yamaha's were unique trailblazers, but USB AMPS are more common than you might think. Pioneer ELITE makes an integrated AMP for critical listening with USB. Add a separate tuner and you have something equal to your old unit.


This thing is of a much higher caliber than your old Yamaha.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Amplifiers/SX-A9MK2-K

I don't even use the USB hookup. I just use one RCA, one optical, and a subwoofer pre-out. Just wanted a decent quality vertically standing amp with a big volume dial on the front of it for easy adjustment.

I don't have anything super high end, but I do have a pretty nice setup.

Midrange - http://www.ebay.com/itm/JBL-E20-Nor...42?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item27c98f4802

Subwoofer - Similar to this one, http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YST-SW3...pr_product_top

 

[Googer]

I don't even use the USB hookup. I just use one RCA, one optical, and a subwoofer pre-out. Just wanted a decent quality vertically standing amp with a big volume dial on the front of it for easy adjustment.

I don't have anything super high end, but I do have a pretty nice setup.

Midrange - http://www.ebay.com/itm/JBL-E20-Nor...42?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item27c98f4802

Subwoofer - Similar to this one, http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YST-SW3...pr_product_top

Those recently discontinued headroom amps are about as close as I can find to a quality unit that has a small footprint for a desktop. I'll keep an eye peeled and if something else pops up, I will post it here.

I have one and I can attest to the quality of this amp.

It also has an FM tuner, FYI.

No doubt, Yamaha does make some nice audio equipment; for the price that unit is hard to beat!