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iPod directly into amp

What is the ebst way to create an operational system within my limited budget ($600). I own Sonus Faber Grand Pianos and an ipod. Nothing else.

This is going to sound horrible, but I am considering buying a used power amp and pluggin my iPod directly into it? I'm not sure how else I'm going to be able to afford suffient wattage to drive the SFs.

Here are my quesions:
1. What technical and safety considerations exist?
2. Is there another option?
3. What reccos do you have for an amp in this price range in the event this is feasible?

Here's the reason I ask.
dvvilkins
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
Popt for one of the Sontic T amps.Son of T IO think the $100 model.Your not going to get muhc volume at $100 or but there are rated 15 and have 3-5 usuable watts.Just don't remember how sensitive your speakers 93=4 db shopuld be able to work.Or get a Harmon Kardon 2 channel reciver of recent vintage cheap.I find their best of cheap recivers.
Chazzbo
arni
313 posts
 
What you need is an integrated amplifier/receiver and a decent iPod dock so you can bypass the headphone circuit in the iPod. Onkyo makes a decent dock, and I'm sure there are others out there... which would set you back maybe a $100 at the most. With $500 your options for an integrated with enough clean power to drive the Grand Pianos are limited, I second the Nad suggestion, but you might also look at Creek (there is one A50 on Audiogon right now) which would give you a bit cleaner sound. I recommend doing some research yourself in the archieves here and on other audio sites.
Good luck
gdoodle
113 posts
 
I say do NOT use the headphone output of the ipod- it is already amplified to drive headphones - re-amplifying it just ain't right. Will be distorted - not enough signal strength - you'll have to crank everything WAY up (as scpetscott alluded to). Use the LINE OUT on the ipod via the dockport/30 pin connector. Use an apple dock or specially designed connector to get at the line out signal - then run it into a proper preamp or integrated amp with volume control. Another bonus to doing it my way is that you can run the ipod set to volume = zero. Battery will go a LOT longer because the ipod is not doing any amplifying. Just treat the ipod like any other source component - you need a preamplification to switch between sources and do volume control. But use the LINE OUT signal.
dvvilkins OP
10 posts
 
Thank you all for the feedback. So, the concensus seems to be integrated amp.

I do in fact own a docking station from Apple, so line out wouldn't cut into my budget.
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,760 posts
 
I'll join the chorus here and recommend a dock for the iPod going to a good quality integrated. I've used that setup with both Creek and Audio Refinement Complete integrateds and been very happy with both.

You can get good information about docks by going to http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/accessories/.

The one I bought worked well. It has a line-out connection, charges the iPod and has a nice little remote for changing songs. It's this one from Kensington.
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