Gizmo desktop amp alternatives

[Mike_TX]

The Gizmo desktop amplifier (old thread - X-19) has been discontinued and sold out (12/15/10 link).
Recently people have expressed interest in that type of mini-desktop integrated amp and other electronics (link1, 12/15/10 link)"]link2[/URL]).

I bought a few of the Gizmos and found them highly useful for setting up work audio systems.

I thought I'd explore and post some alternatives.

Features:
- small
- "inexpensive" -- although that may vary
- +/- subwoofer output (may use full range speaker outputs and then "sat" output from subwoofer -- if available)
- ...

Please post if you have any experience with these, note other important features, etc.

Mike

[Mike_TX]

Gizmo desktop amp alternatives

Updated: 1-4-2011

Purple = DIY kit
Red = explicit subwoofer output (not just full range to sub then crossover in subwoofer)


Gizmo desktop amp alternatives

Audioengine
- Audioengine N22 - $199 - 22W/ch, 2 inputs, headphone out

Class D Audio (DIY)
- SDS-224 DIY Kit - $275 - 120w @ 4ohm, 60w @ 8ohm
- SDS-254 DIY Kit - $310 - 250w @ 4ohm, 125w @ 8ohm
- SDS-258 DIY Kit - $360 - 250w @ 8ohms (please check with class D for 4ohm)

Dayton
- DTA-100a - $99 - Class-T Digital Amplifier 50W/ch (into 8 ohms @ 3% THD), 2 x 30 watts RMS (into 8 ohms @ 0.01% THD)
- DTA-1 - $34 - Class T Digital AC/DC Amp - 15W/ch RMS (into 4 ohms @ 10% THD), 10W/ch RMS (into 4 ohms @ 0.1% THD)
- Dayton APA150 - $159 - 75W/ch RMS (into 4 ohms @ less than 0.01% THD), low pass filter


HifimeDiy (DIY)
Link

Lepai
- Tripath TA2020 - $20 - Class-T - 2 x 20 watts RMS * Minimum THD : <0.05%


Maverick Audio
- TubeMagic A1 - $199 - "power amplifier, a tube headphone amplifier and a tube pre-amplifier" - 20W/ch, Class A/B
- TubeMagic D1 DAC - $199 - DAC (not an amp) can be used with A1 amp

NuForce
- Icon amp - $189 - 2x24W amp
- Icon - $249 - 2x12W amp - subwoofer line out
- Icon2 - $349 - 2x24W amp
- NuForce Icon HDP - $449 - Headphone Amp, DAC and Preamp

Pyle-Pro
- PCAU22 - $47 - 40W/ch (4ohm, unspecified distortion) Amp w/ USB Input
- PTA2 Mini - $60 - 8Wch (1 kHz @4ohms, 1% THD) Stereo Mixer/Power Amplifier
- PCA3 - $69 - 15W/ch @ 1%THD, bass/treble controls
- PTA3 - $67 - 15W/ch @ 1%THD, 3 inputs, bass/treble controls

Trends Audio
- Trends TA-10.1 - $179 - Mini Class-T Stereo Amplifier - 10W/ch (8ohm)


Virtue Audio
- One.2 "Classic" - $299 - 87 wpc @ 4 ohms - subwoofer pre-out - "...same amplifier as the ONE.2 without the extra set of input caps for bass management and stepped attenuator."
- One.2 - $349 -
- Two.2 - $449 -

...

[shadowlight]

If you do not mind going the DIY route consider the ClassD amps:

http://classdaudio.com/index.php/pro...s-224-kit.html (120w @ 4ohm, 60w @ 8ohm) - $275

http://classdaudio.com/index.php/pro...s-254-kit.html (250w @ 4ohm, 125w @ 8ohm) - $310

http://classdaudio.com/index.php/pro...s-258-kit.html (250w @ 8ohms, please check with classd for 4ohm) - $360

Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1 - http://www.mav-audio.com/base/product/tube_magic_a1 - $199

[Mike_TX]

Class D Audio kits

If you do not mind going the DIY route consider the ClassD amps:

http://classdaudio.com/index.php/pro...s-224-kit.html (120w @ 4ohm, 60w @ 8ohm) - $275

http://classdaudio.com/index.php/pro...s-254-kit.html (250w @ 4ohm, 125w @ 8ohm) - $310

http://classdaudio.com/index.php/pro...s-258-kit.html (250w @ 8ohms, please check with classd for 4ohm) - $360

Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1 - http://www.mav-audio.com/base/product/tube_magic_a1 - $199

Cool.
Do the Class D Audio kits have "shells"?

Mike

[Mike_TX]

Gizmo specs

Gizmo specs (for reference)

$139 (including shipping) - originally

Specifications
Output Connections: L/R channel speakers ; Subwoofer out (RCA connection)
Power Rating: 25WPC x 2 @ 4 ohms (or 8 ohms ???)
Voltage: 110V/220V
Shipping weight: 7 lbs (approx)
Dimensions: 8"D x 2.5"H x 4.5"W
Additional Features:
• Digital Display
• Separate Bass and Treble Controls
• Subwoofer out
• Rosewood cap
• True 100 Hz crossover built-in
• Volume +/-, Mute, Standby and Bass/Treble controls


...

[shadowlight]

Cool.
Do the Class D Audio kits have "shells"?

Mike

Sorry, can you clarify what you mean by shells? Do you mean a case. If yes, than the answer is no you have to provide rca jacks, case, speaker connectors and IEC power adapter.

[Mike_TX]

Sorry, can you clarify what you mean by shells? Do you mean a case. If yes, than the answer is no you have to provide rca jacks, case, speaker connectors and IEC power adapter.

Yes, case.
Thanks

Mike

[shadowlight]

Yes, case.
Thanks

Mike

My total build cost for the cda254L amp kit/case/rca/iec/speaker was around 330 or so. Thinking about building 500w mono amps.

[Mike_TX]

500 W mono amps!

My total build cost for the cda254L amp kit/case/rca/iec/speaker was around 330 or so. Thinking about building 500w mono amps.

Cool.
Start a build thread if you do.
I'm sure people will be interested.

BTW - you might consider posting your gear in your signature, so people can see what you are combining.

Cheers,

Mike

[frijoli]

http://tinyurl.com/28w9l9u

OR

http://tinyurl.com/2admdkv

OR

a little ugly, but: http://tinyurl.com/27b4uvq

[Mike_TX]

http://tinyurl.com/28w9l9u

OR

http://tinyurl.com/2admdkv

OR

a little ugly, but: http://tinyurl.com/27b4uvq

Thanks.
N22 was mentioned above.
I added the others to the list.

Mike

[shadowlight]

Some more:

Dayton DTA-100a based around Tripath Chipset 50w @ 8ohms
Dayton DTA-1

[dvenardos]

Don't forget the virtue One.2 and Two.2.

http://store.virtueaudio.com/category-s/90.htm

For DIY another tripath option is hifimediy.

http://hifimediy.com/?page_id=18&category=1

[paw]

The Dayton DTA-100a also functions as a headphone amp

"The DTA-100a also doubles as a high fidelity headphone amplifier that will drive any headphone easily, and delivers colossal sound stage and effortless dynamic range."

Here's a few others


Lepai Tripath TA2020 Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Amplifier

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-300

Pyle Pro PCA2 Mini Stereo Power Amplifier

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-2000

Pyle Pro PCA3 Mini Stereo Power Amplifier

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=310-2002

This ones a little larger

Dayton APA150 150W Power Amplifier

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-812

[xtremerunnerars]

I've been doing a little digging on my own, and came across the Pyle Pro PTA2 Mini 2x40W Stereo Mixer/Power Amplifier.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=248-462&vReviewShow=1#reviews

It's at a pretty decent price point between the DTA-100a and DTA-1, plus it has input switching which is also nice. I'm a little worried about complaints of hissing from the reviews, as I'd be listening via WAF-1s or Audio Technica ATH-ES7s from onboard PC output, an iPod Classic, or a Playstation 3.