What cheap class D power amplifier for my rear speakers?

[Koeitje]

I'm planning to add some simple rear speakers in my setup to finally have surround sound in movies. Looking at some second hand Kef KHT's or something similar, basically something that has some midrange but is small. But I do need a power amplifier to drive them. Since it is just for surround purposes I'm looking at the standard on chip class D solutions, but I don't really know what to get. I use Hypex NC400's for my fronts, but that is total overkill for what I want to achieve.

So my questions are:
What class D on chip solutions with decent power output are good these days?
Are there balanced options available? (not all sockets here are earthed and my cables run through a mess of cables and power adapters)
I prefer not to DIY (but maybe the above requires it?)

 

[TomekNet]

Get MPA-S125NC or MPA-S250NC if you're located in EU or a 2-channel Buckeye Amp if in US.
For surround / back surround I use KEF HTS-3001SE, they are on the small side to what they sound like.

 

[Koeitje]

Get MPA-S125NC or MPA-S250NC if you're located in EU or a 2-channel Buckeye Amp if in US.
For surround / back surround I use KEF HTS-3001SE, they are on the small side to what they sound like.

These are all much more expensive than what I would like to spend. I'd prefer to keep the price around a €100, maybe €150 tops.

 

[NTK]

If you don't mind some DIY, how about an Allo amp?
https://www.allo.com/sparky-eu/volt-amp.html

 

[Koeitje]

If you don't mind some DIY, how about an Allo amp?
https://www.allo.com/sparky-eu/volt-amp.html

I don't mind some DIY, although I have zero experience audio electronics I did manage to solder together a FPV drone without it going up in smoke. But this thing seems fairly underpowered, 50W max seems to indicate maybe 10W at a decent distortion level?

 

[NTK]

I don't mind some DIY, although I have zero experience audio electronics I did manage to solder together a FPV drone without it going up in smoke. But this thing seems fairly underpowered, 50W max seems to indicate maybe 10W at a decent distortion level?

Amir tested a more expensive Allo amplifier. Note that the price does not include the power supply.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/allo-volt-d-amplifier-review.15539/

 

[Gurkerl]

Behringer A800 may be worth looking at, though I don't have any experience with them.

 

[dmac6419]

I'm planning to add some simple rear speakers in my setup to finally have surround sound in movies. Looking at some second hand Kef KHT's or something similar, basically something that has some midrange but is small. But I do need a power amplifier to drive them. Since it is just for surround purposes I'm looking at the standard on chip class D solutions, but I don't really know what to get. I use Hypex NC400's for my fronts, but that is total overkill for what I want to achieve.

So my questions are:
What class D on chip solutions with decent power output are good these days?
Are there balanced options available? (not all sockets here are earthed and my cables run through a mess of cables and power adapters)
I prefer not to DIY (but maybe the above requires it?)

Amazon basic amp $69 US when on sale, it'll do the trick.

 

[Koeitje]

Behringer A800 may be worth looking at, though I don't have any experience with them.

Too big, too ugly and overkill

Amazon basic amp $69 US when on sale, it'll do the trick.

Can I just take any integrated amplifier, max the volume and connect the pre-outs from my surround processor to a line level input? In that case one of those TPA3255 amplifiers might do. Amir tested that Amazon amp it was pretty bad.

Amir tested a more expensive Allo amplifier. Note that the price does not include the power supply.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/allo-volt-d-amplifier-review.15539/

That looks kinda okay, but I'd prefer something like 40W@8ohm.

 

[somebodyelse]

The volume control on the Aiyima A07 is comparable to the separate left and right gain controls on the semi-pro amps like the A800 and the IMG Stageline models. You won't get the balanced inputs that way though - you'd have to DIY something with a 3E TPA3255 module or similar.

 

[dmac6419]

Too big, too ugly and overkill


Can I just take any integrated amplifier, max the volume and connect the pre-outs from my surround processor to a line level input? In that case one of those TPA3255 amplifiers might do. Amir tested that Amazon amp it was pretty bad.

That looks kinda okay, but I'd prefer something like 40W@8ohm.

I have one [Amazon Basic] it'll do the trick,you only using it for surround sound

 

[Chrispy]

How about a pair of powered speakers instead?

 

[Raindog123]

Aiyima A07? SE input only. But as a bridge-mode Class D, the speaker outputs are differential!

 

[Jdunk54nl]

I am assuming you are using an AVR or something similar for movies. Which one?

Otherwise what are you using for decoding of the surround channels?

My suggestion, like others, would be to take a hard look at the Aiyima A07 or a pair of JBL 3 series powered monitors
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/jbl-308p-mkii-studio-monitor-review.17338/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s/jbl-306p-mk-ii-review-studio-monitor.18505/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...mkii-and-control-1-pro-monitors-review.10811/

 

[Koeitje]

I am assuming you are using an AVR or something similar for movies. Which one?

Otherwise what are you using for decoding of the surround channels?

My suggestion, like others, would be to take a hard look at the Aiyima A07 or a pair of JBL 3 series powered monitors
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/jbl-308p-mkii-studio-monitor-review.17338/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s/jbl-306p-mk-ii-review-studio-monitor.18505/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...mkii-and-control-1-pro-monitors-review.10811/

IOTAVX AVX1. I looked at the LSR305's, but they are a little bit too big. Probably going for the Aiyima A07.

 

[Vict0r]

Basically any half-decent TPA3255 amp would work. Those things have come a long way.

 

[jesh]

Check out IcePower branded class D amps. Parts Express carries them.
They are available in various wattages.

They have won sound quality competitions in the car audio world. Great design.

 

[swampbrain]

Buckeye

 

[Loathecliff]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50Wx2-TP...-11e9a98d3ed3&epid=6033871457&redirect=mobile

These create mental problems. How can anything this cheap sound so good