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Topic: Looking for an Amp (Read 4865 times) previous topic - next topic
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Looking for an Amp

What low budged (~50€) amp would be fitting for connecting the setup to a PC?
The very act of observing, influences what happens.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #1 –
Push

Basicly I'm looking to an amp with a LFE channel that I can connect to a PC.
The very act of observing, influences what happens.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #2 –
Any amp can be connected to your computer's line-out.    There are power amps in your price range, but probably not if you need more than 2-channels or any kind of signal processing.    Any kind of custom setup is likely to drive-up the cost.   

Where do you live?  Parts Express (in the U.S.) sells low-cost amps, but they mostly appear to be "no name" brands and may not be available locally to you.

I think we need some more detail...  Exactly what are you trying to do?  What equipment do you already have?

Where is the LFE signal coming from?      Do you have a 5.1 channel soundcard with an LFE out?
Or, do you want a crossover or low-pass filter to separate the low frequencies and drive a subwoofer? 

Do you just want a subwoofer amp, or do you need a 2.1 or 5.1 channel amp?

Technically, LFE is different from a subwoofer...    LFE is a special Low Frequency Effects channel (the "point 1" channel) on a DVD or Blu-Ray.    Of course, that signal/channel is routed to a subwoofer.    So, if you are not playing a DVD or Blu-Ray (or broadcast) with 5.1 (or 7.1) surround, there is no LFE.
 

Looking for an Amp

Reply #3 –
I don't have anything yet, only the PC with an onboard soundcard, also, I live in germany.

I'm trying to build a 2.1 system since the 2.1 PC-systems aren't really that good compared to a real setup, but I have no idea whatsoever on how I can realize that.
So I looked for a sub and speakers first and figured I need an amp to connect everything to the PC. How to actually connect these I don't know at all.
I mainly want to use the setup for music (80%) encoded in either mp3 or flac.
I'm just trying to build a solid entry-priced sound system from scratch, since currently I'm running some noname 2.0 PC-speakers that cost me like 5€.
The very act of observing, influences what happens.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #4 –
Your subwoofer already has a built-in amplifier, all you need is just a stereo amp, if I understand your request correctly. How about tripath stereo amps? I have the tiny TAmp connected to speakers about the size of your Hecos and it sounds very good for PC listening levels. You may want to try the more powerful models - see e.g. 41hz.com for kits. Can you do a bit of DIY?

Looking for an Amp

Reply #5 –
I probably can't build/customize anything myself.
The very act of observing, influences what happens.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #7 –
A few comments seem kinda dissuasive, it's also a bit under my budget.
The very act of observing, influences what happens.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #8 –
Quote from: sollniss on
A few comments seem kinda daunting, it's also a bit under my budget.


It is on sale, the 41Hz DIY kit costs way more  Just my 2 cents, 50 bucks will hardly buy some highend...

Looking for an Amp

Reply #9 –
At what price range would a entry-class "highend" amp start? I'm free to raise my budget a bit.
The very act of observing, influences what happens.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #10 –
The issue I see here is the crossover...  That's the circuit that routes the bass to the sub and everything else to the "main speakers".

Hi-Fi speakers and computer speakers are different.    Hi-fi speakers are passive (unpowered).  They run off a power amplifier or receiver.    The exception is hi-fi or home theater subwoofers, which normally have a power amp built-in.)

Computer speakers are active (powered).  They run off a line-level signal, and the power amp is built-into the speaker, and they need a power source (usually AC "wall power").

You can mix-and-match hi-fi and computer speakers, but it's a good idea to understand how they work and how they are normally connected before you start experimenting...

I won't try to give you an answer, but here are some ways this is normally done -

1.  Most "home theater subwoofers" have a built-in amp and a built-in (active) crossover/filter (op-amps & capacitors) so that only the bass goes into the sub-amp.    Usually, it can be connected to your receiver's regular speaker-outputs, or to the special line-level subwoofer output.  You could also use your computer's line-output.  You'd just have to use a Y-adapter to connect your regular computer-speakers also.   

There is usually a pass-through for connecting regular speakers.  That allows you to add a powered-subwoofer to a "regular-old" stereo system.    (The pass-through is not designed for computer speakers which operate from a line-level signal.)   

The only issue with using regular stereo outputs (line or speaker) is that you don't have a full-crossover.    The high frequencies get blocked-out of the sub.  But, the full-bandwidth signal, including the bass, is still going to your regular full-range speakers.  (Not really a big deal, unless you are going high-end.) 

Most home theater receivers have 5 "powered" speaker-level outputs for driving regular (passive) hi-fi speakers, plus one line-level (unpowered) subwoofer output  for connecting an active (powered) subwoofer.  The receiver's built-in active crossover combines the bass from the 5 channels with the LFE and sends that signal to the subwoofer output.  It also blocks the bass from the other 5 channels.

2.  If you buy a 2.1 "computer speaker system" there are 3 amplifiers built in (left, right, sub).    There is also a built-in active crossover.  The crossover takes the 2-channel stereo signal and separates the bass to create 3 channels/signals.  It also combines the left & right channel bass before sending it to the subwoofer amp.

3.  A 5.1 "computer speaker system" does the same thing, combining the bass from the 5 channels and sending it to the sub.    But, it also mixes-in the LFE signal.  The LFE signal might come-in as a separate analog connection, along with the other 5 analog channels (from a 5.1 soundcard).  Or,  the speaker system might have a digital input (S/PDIF) with Dolby decoder and DAC built into the speaker system.

4.  Some high-end systems (and PA systems) use a stand-alone active crossover with separate power amps for each frequency-band.    (Sometimes the crossiver is built-into the amp.)

5.  A regular hi-fi speaker (without a separate subwoofer) usually has a passive crossover inside (inductors & capacitors) to send the (high-power signal) bass to the woofer, highs to the tweeter, and mids to the midrange driver if you have a 3-way speaker. 

6.  "Active" studio monitors have built-in active crossovers and multiple amplifiers.  (Similar in concept to 2.1 computer speakers.)    These are often used along with a separate active subwoofer.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #11 –
Thank you for the explanation,

If i understood you correctly I could just connect the sub from the computer's line-output to the LINE IN via a Y cable and connect the speakers to the HIGH LEVEL OUT connectors as shown here on page page 27 and 28 without needing an extra amp?
http://www.produktinfo.conrad.com/datenbla...de_en_fr_nl.pdf

Is that correct?

On a side note: Where does it say that the Hype 10 have an inbuild amp though? Is it just that every sub has that or does it say so in the specs?
The very act of observing, influences what happens.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #12 –
Quote from: sollniss on
Where does it say that the Hype 10 have an inbuild amp though? Is it just that every sub has that or does it say so in the specs?


http://mivoc.com/shop/de/mivoc/details-hom...%2010%20schwarz  http://mivoc.com/shop/de/mivoc/xxl/Mivoc_H...ite_800x600.jpg It is an active subwoofer (just like most other SWs)


Just out of curiosity I ordered that ta2020 amp, I found a deal for 25 USD incl. shipping  . I will share my opinion when it arrives, if you want to.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #13 –
Alright, so I guess the solution I mentioned is correct.
Could there arise any problems with the resistance, or voltage or anything like that?
The very act of observing, influences what happens.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #14 –
Quote from: sollniss on
Thank you for the explanation,

If i understood you correctly I could just connect the sub from the computer's line-output to the LINE IN via a Y cable and connect the speakers to the HIGH LEVEL OUT connectors as shown here on page page 27 and 28 without needing an extra amp?
http://www.produktinfo.conrad.com/datenbla...de_en_fr_nl.pdf

Is that correct?

On a side note: Where does it say that the Hype 10 have an inbuild amp though? Is it just that every sub has that or does it say so in the specs?


Hi sollniss. From my reading of that pdf, your sub-woofer has an inbuilt crossover, but it only has an inbuilt amp suitable to drive the sub-woofer itself, not the L/R "satellite speakers. From my understanding of the connection diagram in that manual the high level output is simply a "pass through" from the high level in.

Here's what I consider your simplest option:

1. Get a normal stereo amplifier.
2. Set your computer to output normal 2 channel sound (low freq effects mixed with the normal L/R stereo).
3. Connect the PC sound out to an available input channel of the stereo amp.
4. Connect the speaker outputs of the stereo amp to the high level inputs of the subby.
5. Connect the L/R satellite speakers to the high level outputs (which I think are just a pass through) on the subby.
6. Adjust the crossover frequency on the back of the sub-woofer so that it comes into play just as your L/R satellites low frequency response starts to fade.

Looking for an Amp

Reply #15 –
Alright, thanks for your reply. I got a few more questions though.

Quote from: uart on
1. Get a normal stereo amplifier.

Something like the Scythe Kama Bay AMP Kro?

Quote from: uart on
2. Set your computer to output normal 2 channel sound (low freq effects mixed with the normal L/R stereo).

Do you mean using a Y cable on the line-out channel?

Quote from: uart on
3. Connect the PC sound out to an available input channel of the stereo amp.

Which would be the white channels in the middle?
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41IZEyaHbfL.jpg

Quote from: uart on
5. Connect the L/R satellite speakers to the high level outputs (which I think are just a pass through) on the subby.

Uhm, I only intend to get one pair of the Hecos or what do you mean by satellite speakers?

Sorry if I sound dimwitted, but I have absolutely no experience on that topic.
What are the cables called that I would have to use in this setup?
The very act of observing, influences what happens.
 

Looking for an Amp

Reply #16 –
Quote from: sollniss on
Alright, thanks for your reply. I got a few more questions though.

Something like the Scythe Kama Bay AMP Kro?

Obviously there are tons of stereo amplifiers out there, but I'm not very familiar with the current market.

Quote
Do you mean using a Y cable on the line-out channel?
If your sound card output is a 3.5mm mini-stereo socket then yeah, you need a mini-stereo to RCA cable to go to the amplifier. Most amplifier inputs are "RCA" connections.

Quote
Which would be the white channels in the middle?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41IZEyaHbfL.jpg
Yeah that's correct. That little amplifier has just the one input channel.

Quote
Uhm, I only intend to get one pair of the Hecos or what do you mean by satellite speakers?

Yeah, just the normal left/right speakers.