Budget integrated amps for garage system

Since you are going to use an iPod, why not consider the Peachtree iDecco? Or a used Decco and a custom cable might be less expensive. Either unit should be more than loud enough in a garage with any reasonably efficient speakers.

If it's cheap you want, I run my Ipod into the Tivoli I-Pal.

http://www.tivoliaudio.com/products/portables/the-ipal-white-silver.html

Spend more on speakers and skimp on the amp. Paradigm Mini Monitors with Rega Brio3(used) or cheaper amps are worth a shot.

The little Class T is interesting, but I've already tried a Nuforce Integrated and it just didn't have the power to drive my test speakers (Linn Katan). Getting a larger speaker like the Klipsch would be great but for the space problem...so I'm pretty much forced into a bookshelf monitor sized speaker.

Any thoughts about the amplifier choices I listed? In the case of both the amp and speakers, I want to get something that is inexpensive, yet good quality and good sound, even though it will not be in a proper listening environment at this time, but could be in the future.

Thanks again for your thoughts...

I use a Winsome Mouse as the amp for my desktop/portable system. It goes plenty loud with 88 dB Visonik David 5000i speakers. Price is $369 for an assembled unit or $319 for a kit. It's a good-sounding design, transparent enough to let a high-res source show what it can do, and it should work fine with either the PSBs or the Paradigms you're considering.

Other than that, I like the smaller BEE NAD amps and the 316 should do fine too.