Let's talk about amplifiers

In My Humble Opinion
1

Okay, after years of using hand-me-downs and garage-sale specials and cheapo alternatives, I am going to bite the bullet and buy myself a brand new amplifier.

I have been ignorant about the subject for a long time, relying on the advice and goodwill of my so-called friends (so-called because I currently sit here in silence … again), but I’ve had enough, so it’s time to fight the last vestiges of my ignorance.

I have a computer and I have speakers. I have figured out that I need an amp to make the music go out of one and into the other.

I have also figured out (please correct me if I’m wrong) that amplifiers come with different amounts of power, which is why you can buy small appliances like CD players and computer speakers with amplifiers included, because those amps are very small and weak.

I need something better than that because I love my music and I listen to it a lot.

However, I’m not going to be throwing any karaoke nights, and my house is pretty small so I only need it to be loud enough to be happily audible in the next room, with the door open, over the sound of the stove fan (or dishes being done, or whatever). (I have a beautiful wood-panelled Realistic one that I only ever cranked to 3 or 4, when it worked.)

So, how much should I expect to pay? ($CDN, please) How can I tell a good one from a bad one? What should I be looking for?

Is my wood-panelled ornament worth repairing?

2

Wow, that’s a lot of ground to cover. First, can I ask what make & model your WPO is? That might affect the answer to your question about whether it’s worth repairing.

Second, let’s get terminology straight. An amplifier is, strictly speaking, all you need. In fact, if all you’re doing is trying to boost your PC sound card output to a high enough level to run some regular-size stereo speakers, Radio Shack makes a nice little stereo amplifier that IIRC runs a little under $35. Now, if you want to run multiple inputs (TV, VCR, DVD player, etc.) to it, switch among them, etc., then you need what is properly called a receiver. The quickest way to spot a receiver is that they almost universally have AM/FM tuners built-in.

3

Sweet. Thanks for your answer.

Havent’ the slightest idea, so I guess that’s the answer: it’s really not worth it for me to figure it out, so Craigslist it is!

Yep, I got that.

Perfect. I’m there.

Thanks!