Standalone Amplifiers for PC, Video, DVD

[m0nty]

I wonder if anyone can help with this one:

The nice people from the cable testing company visited a couple of weeks ago, and failed all the amplifiers in one of our teaching blocks, eight classrooms in total. I can see why -- no earth on the cable, which runs into the case at 240V, and no external sheath on the wires. I was going to argue with them, but they have a point (despite these have passed in previous years ...)

Finding a suitable replacement is proving more difficult than I thought it would. Hills Components, Maplin, eBuyer, eBay, etc, don't have amplifiers, or do have them but they're too big or expensive or whatever.

I've attached photos of the sort of thing I'm after, but anything with multiple phono inputs and speaker output would be great. Please recommend a supplier if you know where I can get these or something similar.

(BTW, pics are of the "safe" units, not the failed ones. The OR.M units are fairly nifty and I'd buy more if I could track them down.)

--
Simon

[Michael]

Have a search for a Vision AV-1301 Amplifier. I've used loads of these no problems You can buy them from lots of places with or without speakers.

[SYSMAN_MK]

How about something like the Vision AV-1301 Stereo AMP?

[m0nty]

How about something like the Vision AV-1301 Stereo AMP?

Thanks for the response, and to Michael as well. The problem with that unit is it's 42cm long which is a bit too long -- we have a space about 20cm or so to fit these. Sorry to be picky! Should have mentioned the size requirement when I posted.

--
Simon

[m0nty]

Have you considered a keyboard amplifier? These are fully self contained amp with speaker.

They're very versatile and portable, but won't be in stereo.

Stereo's not so important as loud! If you have any examples, please post a link or two. My colleague has a thing which is a speaker in a 3" cube, with a USB cable and another to connect to the headphone socket. Is that the kind of thing?

[laserblazer]

I've had around 50% failure with AV1300/1 so now I use these

Skytronics 103.100 Stereo Amplifier | Skytronic Amplifiers | Shopuk.co.uk

Just measured on and it's 25cm wide.

Found the CPC one.

http://cpc.farnell.com/_/103-100uk/s...ier/dp/AV11935

[m0nty]

I've had around 50% failure with AV1300/1 so now I use these

Skytronics 103.100 Stereo Amplifier | Skytronic Amplifiers | Shopuk.co.uk

Just measured on and it's 25cm wide.

CPC often sell them for around £50 but they don't seem to have any at present.

laserblazer, that looks ideal, I'll see if CPC are expecting a delivery or can organize one.

If anyone else has similar please let me know, in case I can't get these ones.

Again, thanks for all the responses so far.

--
Simon

[laserblazer]

laserblazer, that looks ideal, I'll see if CPC are expecting a delivery or can organize one.

If anyone else has similar please let me know, in case I can't get these ones.

Again, thanks for all the responses so far.

--
Simon

Just in case you missed my edir Simon

--|103.100UK|STEREO KARAOKE AMPLIFIER. | CPC

[m0nty]

Just in case you missed my edir Simon

--|103.100UK|STEREO KARAOKE AMPLIFIER. | CPC

I did miss it, so thanks Will give CPC a try.

[sted]

could you not just use powered speakers?

i have no end of problems with amps usually teachers not knowing wether it wants to be set to cd/dvd/radio etc or muting etc and not having the common sense to look

[m0nty]

could you not just use powered speakers?

i have no end of problems with amps usually teachers not knowing wether it wants to be set to cd/dvd/radio etc or muting etc and not having the common sense to look

Yes, Big Plan to be implemented next summer hols. I've inherited a ridiculously complex AV system from a former IT manager, who had a tendency to lash things together and over-complicate matters. I would like to move to a decent pair of speakers on teachers' desks, and abolish DVD players and VHS in favour of playing from the PC's DVD drive, or streaming over the network (although streaming is probably being too ambitious for my own good). But I'm busy right now and just want to get new amps in place before getting into this.

I have a nice pair of Harman Kardon speakers attached to my Mac at home, and the sound can be deafening if I turn the sub-woofer up to full volume. Windows rattle, furniture moves, etc. It's possible to do this at work but I need more time.

[Andrew_C]

+ one on the CPC amps, they whay it says on the tin.

-one on the powered speakers. They don't tend to have the alternative inpits for Vid & DVD. Just commoning the input with the PC results in the input being dragged down by the low inpeadence input of the PC (600Ω rather than 10kΩ of the DVD etc)

[sted]

+ one on the CPC amps, they whay it says on the tin.

-one on the powered speakers. They don't tend to have the alternative inpits for Vid & DVD. Just commoning the input with the PC results in the input being dragged down by the low inpeadence input of the PC (600Ω rather than 10kΩ of the DVD etc)

cheap switchbox solves that problem

[Michael]

In my experience powered or active speakers are no where near as good as a dedicated amplifier. They're cheaper for a reason

[j17sparky]

I know you're asking for an amp, but we've found these to be better and more reliable than cheap amps (even from brands like cambridge audio and pioneer)

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/343750...at:Peripherals