What's the best setup for me?

[atnaat]

I'm currently listening to my music on my computer through an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 to a NAD 3130 and finally through a a pair of Wharfedale Valdus 200. It's all on my desk and not really ideal, I can't get the speakers positioned correctly because the amplifier takes up much of the space.

I want to start to build my first project, I've searched the forum and I was thinking the best setup would be to build two small gainclone mono-blocks with off board power supplies and a small passive pre-amp. Any input on this?

[dangus]

I don't know how big those speakers are, but this is what I did to make more room and position the speakers:
Build a pair of boxes, each a little higher than the monitor. Each wide enough to hold the speaker, and with a shelf so there's just enough internal height for the speaker. With mine, this left a lower opening about the right size to hold a bunch of CDs. The screwed and glued 3/4" MDF was stiff enough that I didn't add a back, although it would have been sensible to glue or screw in something to keep stuff from sliding too far inside. Then put a sheet of MDF or plywood over top, and that's where the NAD could go. Yes, a picture would be better. Anyway, for my setup this put the speakers (Audax AT100M0 4" fullranges) at a good height, and made room for a flatbed scanner above the monitor. Oh, and for what it's worth, the receiver was a salvaged Pioneer that I just lay sideways on the floor next to the computer tower.

But, chipamps make sense. Or those digital T-amp modules, which may be more than enough power for near-field listening, and fit into a more compact package. Search for TA2024 on eBay, for example.

[chris661]

www.41hz.com - these guys have lots of small amplifiers (as well as some really big ones). The 12V ones will run off a SMPS. The prices and delivery are good. I built the amp6-basic, sounds lovely.

Chris