PTA2

I ordered the Pyle PTA2 mini 2x40W amp Pyle PTA2 Mini 2x40W Stereo Power Amplifier, and have been using it since its arrival about a month ago. The arrival, by the way, was quick and the packaging was minimal. Although I have yet to utilize many of the features of this amp, I can say that it is doing exactly what I need it to do. Here's my setup:I have two computers sharing one monitor, keyboard and mouse, while the other two share another monitor, keyboard and mouse. Each of the two setups is connected to their respective monitor-input devices via a KVM switch. In my case, I am using two different TRENDnet switches for various reasons that I need not get into for this review, and both switches have ports for the computers' audio lines. Those KVM switches - TRENDnet 2-Port USB KVM Switch Kit with Audio (Includes 2x KVM Cables) TK-209K (Blue) and TRENDnet 4-Port USB KVM Switch Kit with Audio (Includes 4x KVM Cables) TK-409K (Blue)- were also purchased via Amazon. All of the computers' audio ports are connected to their respective KVM switches, making it possible to have an audio setup for each set of computers. I, however, wanted to eliminate unnecessary equipment wherever possible, and I wanted to get down to one set of speakers for all four computers. With this Pyle amp, I can do that utilizing the AUX1 and AUX2 input connectors on the back of the unit, and then using the PHONES output jack on the front for connecting my multimedia speakers Logitech Speaker System Z520 (Black). I used an adapter I already had, but similar to Hosa GPM-103 3.5mm TRS to 1/4" TRS Adaptor, in order to be able to plug the speakers into the PHONES jack. So, whenever I want to hear sound from one of my computers, I switch the correct KVM switch to the appropriate computer, turn on the amp, and turn on my speakers, adjust the right-most knob on the front to the appropriate AUX input, and voila, I have sound! The volume can be controlled with the volume buttons on the amp and on the speakers. Although not the most powerful sound setup under the sun, this is much more than just adequate, and the sound quality is quite good.Before I bought this Pyle amp, I sketched out what I wanted to accomplish and what would be needed to allow this to happened, and then went hunting for a solution. I found this Pyle amp that had the features I was looking for, and more. I knew I didn't need certain features that the higher end models had, so I selected this amp which had sufficient power and features, plus some features that I may not use for a while. I make it a habit to read all the customer reviews of any product I am considering for purchase. I find that by doing that, I am able to solidify my buying decision. There were a few comments that were less than supportive of this particular amp, some of which seemed to be due to something that the user was doing wrong or because the amp was not designed to do what they wanted it to do. Comments related to hardware failure are always considered, but there will always be a certain number of hardware failures given the intricacies of electronics and their susceptibilities to damage in transport. Once I discounted those unfavorable reviews, there were only positive reviews remaining. That made my buying decision that much easier.Bottom line, I am quite satisfied with the choice I made, and I would recommend this amp. Should anything change in the future, I will amend this review.

This is a great little unit that's very inexpensive and allows you to hook up a cassette player and recorder to record your CDs or anything else. I'm likely to buy another one . It's a great value for the money.

I have 2 of these and a PCA3 for various small speaker systems. They have all lasted over a year, and work just as good as they did when new. But how good are they? They're okay. But they're cheap. Here are the details of my experience with these little amps:First of all, any half-way descent real amplifier or receiver is going to have more power and sound better than these little amps. But, these are also significantly smaller and cheaper than just about any real receiver or amp. I can easily carry this unit with two 2-way satellite speakers to the garage, outside, etc., in one trip, leaving all the wires connected, spread the speakers, and have sound better than most bluetooth speakers, along with true stereo separation. I also have one in a bookcase that's only about 11 inches deep, where most high end audio equipment hangs off. I've used them in place of computer speakers.Hopefully you get the idea here... This is good for applications where you don't need a lot of volume or loud bass. Because you won't get it. At least not at the same time. The wattage rating is best case scenario and at high distortion. In the real world, you'll get about 4-6 clean RMS watts per channel on 8 ohm speakers, and about 6-10 clean RMS watts per channel on 4 ohm speakers. This doesn't sound like much, but it's more than most think. With descent speakers, you can get 87-93dB of sound with only one watt at on meter. That's what the sensitivity rating on speakers means. So the higher the sensitivity of the speakers, the more this amp will appear to 'deliver' in terms of bass or volume.I've used my amps primarily with the following configurations:KLH 2-Way Sattelite Speakers with 3.5" WoofersKLH 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers with 5.25" WoofersPolk 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers with 5.25" WooferI've also used them to test speakers for friends & clients, Goodwill finds of my own, and chaining multiple speakers for fun. In ever case, the amp has delivered exactly what I expected out of it. But it will definitely not "Bring the house down" on it's own. Nor should one expect it to. Speakers that naturally sound better and can make bass on little power will, and poor speakers won't. But you really can't hurt any speakers with it, unless it happens to malfunction, which I haven't experienced yet, and still likely wouldn't break a speaker. It's hard to break most speakers with so little power.Now on to Build Quality and Features. For what it is, it does have quite a nice array of features. 3 RCA inputs & 1 RCA output, Headphone Out, Microphone In. It switches to standard voltages for different parts of the world, and the fuse is easily accessible. Speaker hookups are standard run of the mill spring loaded guys that work for small to medium sized speaker wire. There is no Transformer on the 2 prong plug, as it's integrated, which I like. The case is almost all metal, and the plastic knobs have a pretty good, old fashion analog feel to them. All knobs are smooth and linear, and the Input Switch knob has a good thud/click to keep it at the right selection. I'm so glad it has bass, treble, and balance controls. In normal cases, it doesn't get more than noticeably warm.So why only 4 Stars? Well, false advertising and some quirks:- They claim 2 x 40 Watts, which is misleading for those who buy without researching further, as it's basically false- There is a small hiss when on, but many, much higher end amps do this, too. I haven't had any buzzing as some describe- While the sound is fairly neutral, there is some amount of THD at any volume that audiophiles would notice. I'd guess around 0.6-2% in normal cases.- They should have a version of this with Input switches but without the Paging/Microphone features- Preamp or subwoofer outputs would be nice, as would optical connectivity, but not expected at this price point.Overall, in the right situations, for the right price, these are handy little devices. But if you're looking for a receiver on the cheap, this isn't it.