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Speaker Selection for T-Amp

PR Audio

PR Audio

Super Member
I have a Dayton DTA-1 T-Amp with Realistic Minimus -18 speakers that I use for computer audio. The other day my sister had a party at her condo, her receiver went dead a few months ago and still she hasn't purchased another. Her speakers were also damaged by water, but they were the plastic cheap speakers with 3" woofers, maybe Yorx.

Anyways, my amp did the job well, and we used a pair of PSB B15's that I use in my music room at home. After the party was over I took to my car my amp and speakers, she said: "Where are you going with my new music system"? Well, that gave me an idea, and Santa Me gave her a new Dayton DTA-1 as a gift (it was on sale!). But, no speakers. My brother-in-law is going to buy her a pair of speakers.

Having said that, and after hearing the amp with my B15's. What bookshelf speakers (new or used) you guys recommend for this amp? The criteria is that they have to look good like the PSB Image or Klipsch RB's. They need to be high efficiency, 90dB+ preferred. They have to be 6-8 Ohm, no less. And, the price has to be no more than $250.00/pair. Please, advise.
 
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RamblinE said:
NHT Superzero 2.0. $99. Remake of a legend. Look into them...
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Great price, but 86 dB and 85-20K Hz...Not the best numbers for an amp that will only output 5-7 WPC @ 8 Ohms. So far the Polk Monitor 35B seems like the best option. Will check the Advent also.
 
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Replace the Lepai's supplied 2A wall wart with a 6A LCD (~$10 @ Amazon) power supply and it will just about double the usable power output. The supplied wall wart severely current starves the amp.

I've tried both and the difference is easily audible.
 
Not common finds but if you come across a set.....


Acoustic Energy Aegis one. Sound and build quality are first rate.

MB Quart 280

ADS L400. / L470 / l570

KRK K-rok ( older wedge shaped passive monitors- perfect for mid/nearfield listening. Uses a focal woofer)

Acoustic Energy Aegis Compact ( plus a sub. - there are so many being sold off cheap)

Boston Acoustics A40 and a small 8in powered sub to fill in the low end.

Cambridge Soundworks Newton M60

Quite a few paradigm, NHT, psb models may work as well. There are hundreds of options as you will soon find out as this thread fills with suggestions. :)
 
PR Audio said:
I have a Dayton DTA-1 T-Amp with Realistic Minimus -18 speakers that I use for computer audio. The other day my sister had a party at her condo, her receiver went dead a few months ago and still she hasn't purchased another. Her speakers were also damaged by water, but they were the plastic cheap speakers with 3" woofers, maybe Yorx.

Anyways, my amp did the job well, and we used a pair of PSB B15's that I use in my music room at home. After the party was over I took to my car my amp and speakers, she said: "Where are you going with my new music system"? Well, that gave me an idea, and Santa Me gave her a new Dayton DTA-1 as a gift (it was on sale!). But, no speakers. My brother-in-law is going to buy her a pair of speakers.

Having said that, and after hearing the amp with my B15's. What bookshelf speakers (new or used) you guys recommend for this amp? The criteria is that they have to look good like the PSB Image or Klipsch RB's. They need to be high efficiency, 90dB+ preferred. They have to be 6-8 Ohm, no less. And, the price has to be no more than $250.00/pair. Please, advise.
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Works beautifully with Infinity RS2000's. Also does very well with the Cheap Insignias.
 
Why no less than 6-8 ohms? I thought the DTA-1 was 4 ohm stable. You'll get a little more power out of it with 4 ohm speakers. +1 on the upgraded power supply.
 
Bostown said:
Quite a few paradigm, NHT, psb models may work as well. There are hundreds of options as you will soon find out as this thread fills with suggestions. :)
Click to expand...

I am sort of a PSB fanboy, thought about the older Alpha B or newer Alpha B1. Saturday Audio has a sale on the B1, and is within budget.
 
JoeESP9 said:
Replace the Lepai's supplied 2A wall wart with a 6A LCD (~$10 @ Amazon) power supply and it will just about double the usable power output. The supplied wall wart severely current starves the amp.

I've tried both and the difference is easily audible.
Click to expand...

nick12345 said:
+1 on the upgraded power supply.
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I have a universal power supply in a closet somewhere, is one of those that you can select Amps, Volts, and has multiple barrels. I bought it from RS sometime ago for an electric piano that has been in storage for awhile.

Edit:

I found the one on Amazon, only $8.25, it is the one with the box and cable separate, as used in laptops and LCD screens. Will a 7.5W power supply work?
 
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adam-ads said:
Go check the manual (http://www.daytonaudio.com/media/resources/300-380-dayton-audio-dta-1-manual-42948.pdf). They don't even give a power spec for 8-ohm. You're right that it's 10% distortion into 4 ohm but that's at 15WPC. At 10WPC it's only 0.1%.


Specifications:
• Power output: 2 x 15 watts RMS (into 4 ohms @ 10% THD), 2 x 10 watts RMS (into 4 ohms @ 0.1% THD)
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You are right, and I have read the manual many times. The 8 ohms 0.1% is across the board, and the info I got it from a lot of research on the net, and confirming via phone with a Dayton Audio technician.

But, since you brought it up. Any suggestions for 4-Ohm compact bookshelf/monitor that are not more than $250.00/pr.?
 
PR Audio said:
You are right, and I have read the manual many times. The 8 ohms 0.1% is across the board, and the info I got it from a lot of research on the net, and confirming via phone with a Dayton Audio technician.

But, since you brought it up. Any suggestions for 4-Ohm compact bookshelf/monitor that are not more than $250.00/pr.?
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New speakers? I don't know. I use old ADS 4-ohm miniatures with a Lepai t-amp. L300 and L400 are both very nice. The power supply I have is only 2A but lately I've been running the amp from an automotive jump-start battery and there is a noticeable improvement. 5A sounds like a reasonable target.
 
my DTA-1 is used to power my 2.1 TV table lol. It works great... I've also paired them with a Realistic Minimuz 7 for a backpack with a sound system lol!
 
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