Help a beginner build a cheap system around $100-$300 without speakers.

[jsaak]

Can you please recommend some device(s) to connect my things to my speakers?

What I need:
- bluetooth IN for the phone
- at least two other IN for the TV and the computer
- headphone OUT
- stereo speaker OUT
- and a remote control
- below $300, preferably below $200

I have a computer, an android phone, and a TV.
And two big old Orion speakers. No idea what type, i have not found any part number on them. But they sounded nice with a Technics SU-V670.
The Technics amp broke, so i need to replace it.
With something less bulky. And less power hungry. (it consumes around 30-40 W idle)
A class-D amp would be good enough for me i guess.
In this price segment, I do not expect wonders.

I read and watched countless reviews.
But it is still pretty confusing. I have not found any device which could do all in one package.

This forum seems really nice!
Can you please help me with recommendations?

(maybe Smsl AL200?, or Topping DX3 Pro+ and a small class-d amp? with tone controls?)

Thank you!

 

[NTK]

Welcome to ASR!

You may want to take a look at the Loxjie A30 (USD$170). Review link below.

Loxjie A30 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the multifunction Loxjie A30 power (speaker and headphone) amplifier with integrated USB DAC and Bluetooth input. It was kindly sent to me by a member and costs US $159 plus $7 shipping on Amazon. The A30 sports a high resolution and high contrast...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Or the Topping MX5 (USD$300), which should have a much better headphone amp and supports balanced analog inputs (but doesn't look like you have any source devices that will output balanced analog signals to the amp).

 

[staticV3]

Here are some devices which could do all of that in one package:
-Loxjie A30
-SMSL AL200
-SMSL AD18
-Topping MX3s
-Topping MX5

They all support basic tone controls with Bass/Treble adjust and a few EQ presets.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Another option is the combination of an SMSL M300 SE Balanced DAC/HP Amp/Remote Preamp and Douk Audio H7 balanced speaker amplifier (recently reviewed by ASR). This would offer protection from ground loop hum. The SMSL M300 uses the DACs to power the headphone jacks and their output is modest.

Douk Audio H7 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Douk Audio H7 stereo class D desktop amplifier. It was kindly drop shipped to me by a member and costs US $144. Right away we see differentiation in the form of the nice looking VU meter. Not only that there is a control to set it sensitivity...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

Fiio BTA30pro+any decent cheap headphone amp.

 

[staticV3]

Fiio BTA30pro+any decent cheap headphone amp.

That would leave OP with no Speaker out, no remote control, and no tone controls.

 

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

That would leave OP with no Speaker out, no remote control, and no tone controls.

Most headphone amps have rca passthrough, no? Regardless, I misread the OP. I though they were asking for bluetooth out.

 

[TheBatsEar]

Can you please recommend some device(s) to connect my things to my speakers?

What I need:
- bluetooth IN for the phone
- at least two other IN for the TV and the computer
- headphone OUT
- stereo speaker OUT
- and a remote control
- below $300, preferably below $200

I have a computer, an android phone, and a TV.
And two big old Orion speakers. No idea what type, i have not found any part number on them. But they sounded nice with a Technics SU-V670.
The Technics amp broke, so i need to replace it.
With something less bulky. And less power hungry. (it consumes around 30-40 W idle)
A class-D amp would be good enough for me i guess.
In this price segment, I do not expect wonders.

I read and watched countless reviews.
But it is still pretty confusing. I have not found any device which could do all in one package.

This forum seems really nice!
Can you please help me with recommendations?

(maybe Smsl AL200?, or Topping DX3 Pro+ and a small class-d amp? with tone controls?)

Thank you!

Used Yamaha A-S301 or A-S501 and a FiiO BTA30pro.

Should be doable for $300, look at Hifishark for used stuff. Only fools pay retail ;-)

It's a bit on the large size, but has phono pre-amp, subwoofer out, and lots and lots of connections and features. Not to mention the variable loudness, which comes handy if you watch TV or listen to music at night but don't want to disturb anyone.

 

[staticV3]

Used Yamaha A-S301 or A-S501 and a FiiO BTA30pro.

No less bulky than OP's old Technics SU-V670 ("The Technics amp broke, so i need to replace it. With something less bulky."), and with a glorious 470Ω output impedance for the headphone out.

 

[Dunring]

Loxjie A30 on Amazon Warehouse in used very good condition for $134 with free shipping. Hard to beat the value if it measures well.

Amazon.com

 

[jsaak]

Thank you for your answers!
I went for Topping MX3s.

The functionality is great:
- automatic standby on digital output
- auto screen off almost perfect
- remote works ok
- no clicking sounds when powerup, or changing inputs
- plenty of power to reach high volume levels
- very small and lightweight
- bluetooth worked every time, no funny restarts were needed so far

I found the sound lacking. After a bit of testing, and reading, i found out that i was missing my "loudness" button.
Usually i listen to low volume levels, and on my previous amp the "loudness" button was always on, which helped a lot.
So I added a bit of treble and a bit more bass. Now it sounds ok.
Is there anything else I can do to imitate "loudness"?
Is there a reason why this functionality is not implemented on this device?
As far as I understand, it should be not too hard when using digital input.

 

[Gruesome]

If you are feeding your amplifier from a computer-like device, just run an equalizer plugin on the computer (e.g. Equalizer APO on Windows, chrome Audioequalizer - EQ plugin, etc.).