Inexpensive streaming amplifier


My daughter, (not an audiophile), just moved into a small apartment in Brooklyn, and we want to buy her a streaming amp to connect to apple music, and her TV for movies.  She already has a pair of (hand me down from my son) Wharfdale 10.1 (small bookshelf) speakers to sit on either side of the TV.  Any suggestions?  Thank you.

kb54

In agreement with Bluesound Powernode. I owned one in my NYC Queens apartment about a decade ago, used with Wharfedale 10.2 at some point before upgrading to other speakers. 

The Powernode Edge is a slimmed down version and doesn’t have HDMI. If she can live without that, you could save a couple hundred, but the more costly Powernode has a better DAC. 

I will be the odd man out.  Old Sonos S1 connect amps can be had for around $100 +. The S1 app should still be available.  If TV does not have analog out throw in a Schiit Modi for $129 and you can do optical off the TV.   Way cheaper than a PowerNode.

Go with separates since the streaming part goes obsolete fairly quickly. WiiM Pro streamer for $150 and your favorite budget amplifier. Small class D amps like the Loxjie A30 or a full size amp like the Yamaha A-S301.