simple amp to connect passive speakers to airpot express?

[nickholl]

Hi

my dad would like to stream music from his iphone to a pair of existing passive speakers that he has. Im thinking of using an AirPort Extreme but was wondering if there's a really basic amplifier I could get to attach the speakers to? I really don't want to use his existing amp as its a nightmare of cables and complications for him.

would anybody be able to recommend one?

many thanks
Nick

 

[Vincent Kars]

Apple dropped the Airport Extreme/Express etc.
As he has a iPhone, look for an amp supporting Airplay e.g. Yamaha R-N303D

 

[nickholl]

hi, yeah I know they no longer sell them, but you can pick them up on eBay quite cheap and they work quite well. Ive got one at mine linked to a couple of active speakers. I was hoping to do this quite cheaply, and was wondering if there was a reasonable cheap amplifier that would power his speakers

 

[iMark]

A second hand one will work just fine. I would recommend getting the last model, the one with a separate power cable, the A1392. This model can also be upgraded to support AirPlay 2. That was a nice touch by Apple.
https://support.apple.com/kb/SP651?locale=en_US

We've got ours linked to a Sony Mini system from 2000.

Yamaha do have some very decent integrated solutions, like the R-N303D. But if you already have a working system an Airport Express will do the job.

 

[miketruman]

A simple solution would be to buy a Tangent Ampster BTII. Not very expensive (169 from Amazon). This streams on Bluetooth from the phone to a good quality and has the added advantage that it will (mostly) reconnect whenever it is needed. Also it can be hidden away as it has a remote sensor. A pair of speaker cables would be all that's needed. Hope that helps.

 

[iMark]

AirPlay streams at lossless CD quality. This sounds way better than Bluetooth.

Quite a few streaming providers have integrated solutions on amps like the ones from Yamaha. This means that the stereo network receivers streams directly from a provider like Spotify. You use the iPhone as a remote control. The iPhone doesn't do any streaming, thus saving battery power.

 

[nickholl]

Thanks for the replys. I was kind of hoping to find something like that Tangent but for less money, that i could just plug the airport express into.

 

[Tinman1952]

For less money than that you are really looking at Chinese amps. Try Amazon with search ‘SMSL amplifier’ and you will see some around £50 to £60. I’m sure you will be more than happy with the sound 👍