I posted this over in /r/BudgetAudiophile, but would also like to get a second opinion for some recommendations for an amp to power some small/medium passive bookshelf speakers (Aiwa SX-N330).
The budget that I have to work with is about $50 USD ($75 AUD), although I'm not sure whether that's far too little for even an amplifier.
In terms of how I'll be using it, I'll most likely plug it into the TV/Computer/Phone, moving the amp/speakers as needed, and it'll mostly be used for music, with the odd game/movie thrown in. (I don't believe music taste should matter too much for an amp, but it'll probably end up playing video game soundtracks, or other more orchestra-heavy music). Because it's not going anywhere fast, I'd ideally not have to deal with worrying about internal batteries going bad.
As a result, I'd ideally want a 3.5mm jack, but USB/RCA is fine (although the former is preferred over the latter, since I lack a 3.5mm -> RCA cable.)
Although the list is hardly exhaustive, I did take a look around at some of the options that seemed to be within my budget, in a few places (namely /r/BudgetAudiophile). (all prices in USD unless otherwise indicated)
This Nobsound amplifier, which is just over my budget at $56 AUD.
The Dayton Audio GS2.1, which is $49.98, due to a sale.
Nobsound Douk Audio, for $49.99 (this, and the next two are from this thread)
Pyle PDA20BT, for $49.44
Fosi Audio BT-10A-S, which is $49.99
Lepai LP-2020TI, for $34.98
Lepai LP-168HA, which is $42.18 with a power supply, $39.99, without.
Other than that, based on some of the other places, most of the other given options are somewhat outside of budget.
Yo la vez que necesité una potencia la terminé comprando por amazon jaja
Son cosas que salen 2 pesos pero aca es un huevo encontrarlas
Ahora hace poco me compré este mini amp y funciona de 10, tiene una interfaz de audio USB integrada y todo
It'd just about have to be USB C if you want it to have enough power to run normal passive speakers, and even then it'd be relatively low wattage (though probably plenty for nearfield listening). Older standards can only provide a couple watts max. You wouldn't be able to use a typical USB A to C cable, either. We're basically in the realm of laptop power supplies that happen to use a USB C connector.
Edit: That said, they do exist. Here's the first hit on Amazon, for example. Note that I'm not endorsing the product and have no idea if it's any good, the amazon search was just the first hit on a google search and that was the first hit on the amazon search.
Edit 2: Turns out that the USB port is just to hook it up to a computer as an external soundcard and it still needs an external power supply to run. It really shouldn't, though. They went with Micro USB in 2022 instead of a USB-C connector with thunderbolt or USB-PD, both of which can easily provide the wattage it needs -- which, by the way, if the 12v, 5a power supply it comes with is what it's getting for input power, the 100 wat total they're advertising is a flat out lie. It's getting 60 watts total, and that's not RMS.
It is way more than I expected anything USB powered to have, though. It's probably why they did it that way. Just because there's a standard for it doesn't mean the USB ports on your laptop implement it.
nice! OR you can just do this:
$17 x 2 Dayton Audio TT25-8 Puck Tactile Transducer Mini Bass Shaker 8 Ohm
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009RGJ47S
$33 - 1 nobsound amp
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y67PZB1
- some zip ties to attach to pedals
- speaker wire ($10-12)
- optionally upgraded power adapter