Audiophiles: does this amp exist? (Ian?)

[dtw]

I am looking for something that, as best I can tell, doesn't exist. Here's what I'm looking for in an amp for the shop:

-2 channels
-power anywhere from 80 to 120 watts
-Bluetooth and/or AirPlay ready
-built like a bank vault
-solid state (has to survive shop environment...no matter where I put this amp in the shop, I'd be guaranteed to break tubes)
-minimal other inputs. A couple RCAs and/or HDMI in, nothing more
-power button, volume knob, input select

Do not want:
-5.1/7.1 sound
-Radio receiver/tuner
-10,000 A/V inputs
-10,000 playback and surround sound modes
-10,000 buttons on remote and front panel

I'm trying to research this animal, and so far am coming up short. I can't be the only person who is in the market for such a device?

[Gogar]

I think you need a run-o-the-mill Receiver and an Airport Extreme or something. Keep it cheap!

[Steve Viegas]

You could always check out Audioadvisor for something like this:
NAD - C-326BEE - Stereo Integrated Amplifier-Audio Advisor

[Chocaholic]

You don't want a power amp. They don't have volume knobs. You want a basic integrated amplifier (amp and preamp in one). There are thousands of choices in solid state or tube. Visit Audiogon for good deals on used gear.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by Gogar

I think you need a run-o-the-mill Receiver and an Airport Extreme or something. Keep it cheap!

^this. Airport Express can be used as an airplay device, has a mini headphone output...its $99.

I have a set of Mackie powered studio monitors in my kitchen hooked into an airport express. No Amp or other box required. Awesome sounding set up (but no inputs other than airplay - works for me)


There is no pre-amp in my signal chain, but there is a volume pot on the Mackies that I set, then use the volume control on my ipad/iphone etc. Works perfectly with plenty of output.

[cairns]

As noted an airport or like plugged into one of the inputs. Then its pretty easy.

Audio Advisor
Amplifiers - Integrated-Audio Advisor
Music Direct
Integrated Amps at Music Direct

[masraum]

Again, not exactly what you've asked for, but I have a set of these that I keep in the garage. The only thing that I need to listen to music in the garage is these and an ipod. I don't know if they have the power or volume that you're looking for to fill a shop with sound.

[creaturecat]

My old Mcintosh has all of the above.
except bluetooth.
Not much depreciation, either.

[kach22i]

For $7,000 this thing from Wadia is incredible (preamp, amp, Dac), but like it's 7k man.
INTUITION 01


Other offerings:
Wadia Digital « Paragon Sight & Sound

[campbellcj]

I have an old NAD integrated amp plumbed to my garage and pool/grill area (has an A/B switch). It meets your criteria and was ~$100 on ebay. As mentioned above there are lots of ways to skin this cat.

[Cajundaddy]

Tons of choices. Any integrated amp you like and feed it with an iPod or bluetooth receiver device ($20).

Workshop listening quality:
http://reviews.cnet.com/audio-system-components/teac-reference-a-h01/4505-6462_7-35532635.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044779HW/ref=asc_df_B0044779HW2818702?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=cnet-ce-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B0044779HW

High end gear:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/2012-recommended-components-integrated-amps-receivers

[imcarthur]

As above, an Airport Express & a solid integrated amp (Cambridge*, NAD, Rotel, Arcam) is your best choice for simplicity. You can get an app for any device & stream with iTunes.

Like Jacob, I personally would go active. For a non-Apple version (with potentially better sound), you can stream Bluetooth AptX to a DAC (with a built-in Bluetooth receiver & volume control) then on to a pair of active speakers. This might be over your budget, however.

A sidenote . . .

Streaming is exploding for the masses & everybody has stuff coming to market as the tech has improved. I worked a hifi show last weekend & in the system that I was demming, I was streaming Bluetooth AptX from iTunes on an Apple laptop to a proprietary hub (with its own volume & aux inputs) located across the room, that re-streamed the signal to a pair of ‘wireless’ floor standing speakers via Kleer Technology - with pretty amazing quality. I started to get pops in the signal on Day 2 & I had to hardwire a cd player into the hub for tunes - with no really dramatic improvement in sound quality btw. The interference came from the Bluetooth stream in a hotel filled with hundreds & hundreds of phones (all searching for wireless & Bluetooth connections), dozens of networks & all manner of streaming devices. A lot of consumer interest in streaming – especially from the under 50s crowd – as you would expect. Some people were even asking for turntables! (Good thing we had one in another room)

Ian

*Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah I’m a burnt out hifi whore.

[Cajundaddy]

I have simple needs and these are my garage workshop active speakers. Plenty of sound as long as the compressor is off and reasonably smooth response. They are very placement sensitive so I had to move them around a bit to find the sweet spot. They are also easily moved to my deck when entertaining friends outdoors. Add a bluetooth receiver device and you are all in for $200.

Amazon.com: M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 Powered Speakers (Previous Version): Musical Instruments

[greglepore]

The airport express option is pretty cool-if you have windows os you can get a cheap program called airfoil that will allow you to stream any audio source from your pc - the airport has its own dac but if you want really high end sound it also has a toslink digital output built into the 1/8 in jack so that you can stream to an outboard dac then to your integrated amp/receiver of choice (limited to 16 bit files). Use any player you want-foobar, media monkey, even ie or another browser. I've had this running for a few years and it works great, limited only by router range.

[mrybczyn]

Dayton Audio DTA-100a Class-T Digital Amplifier 50 WPC Provides Power To Computer Speakers, Bookshelf Speakers, Headphones, And More! 300-383

digital, small, simple, efficient, cheap.

for almost any audio amp application, tripath is the answer.

[dtw]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

As above, an Airport Express & a solid integrated amp (Cambridge*, NAD, Rotel, Arcam) is your best choice for simplicity. You can get an app for any device & stream with iTunes.

Like Jacob, I personally would go active. For a non-Apple version (with potentially better sound), you can stream Bluetooth AptX to a DAC (with a built-in Bluetooth receiver & volume control) then on to a pair of active speakers. This might be over your budget, however.

OK, well there are plenty of second-hand NAD amps available on eBay. I've never owned one but a friend has had several and I've always liked the sound, especially for what I'll listen to at the shop (Yes/Dream Theater/Metallica/Alice in Chains/various Chris Cornell iterations). Won't be breaking out any Mozart at the shop...

However, now you've got my interest with the DACs and powered speakers. That's completely new tech to me. Can you recommend any devices in particular?

Originally Posted by imcarthur

*Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah I’m a burnt out hifi whore.

That's why I asked for you by name

[Rloop]

I have to second the M-Audio AV 40 powered speakers, inexpensive, available from many places, great sound for the $$.

I use mine with an old Squeezebox SB3, but plenty of current DACs with internet connections for content.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

I’m a burnt out hifi whore.

burnt out?

How about getting just your capacitors replaced?

[flipper35]

Airport Express and a couple Marshal stacks.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by dtw

OK, well there are plenty of second-hand NAD amps available on eBay. I've never owned one but a friend has had several and I've always liked the sound, especially for what I'll listen to at the shop (Yes/Dream Theater/Metallica/Alice in Chains/various Chris Cornell iterations). Won't be breaking out any Mozart at the shop...

However, now you've got my interest with the DACs and powered speakers. That's completely new tech to me. Can you recommend any devices in particular?

There are all kinds of options at all kinds of prices. The only one that I have played with personally is our DacMadic Plus with the optional Bluetooth antenna & my pair of Focal Solo6BEs. Somewhat pricey for your needs @ > $3K. $600 for the DAC + antenna.

One thing to note is that the Apple forums have been buzzing about problems with the latest Airport Express digital out via Toslink. It seems to have a jitter problem that prevents it locking with many DACs. Older AEs are fine but tread cautiously before you buy. Using it as a straight digital streamer with line output (versus Toslink) into an integrated amp would not be a problem.

Ian