This has been brought up before, but what about the small "DJ" CD players (cute little things that are usually approx. 8" x 8")? Think they start @ about $180 or so. Has anyone tried these?
For the amp itself, I would go single ended. The Audion Sterling (basic model) with one input and a volume pot runs around $1200 (new). It has a narrow profile (half or less of standard width) and is very nice looking in chrome and black and/or stainless and black (the gold finish is not to my taste). It uses a single EL34 on each side with a 6922 input and 5687 driver tube. I owned an Audion Silver Night (same chassis but uses 300B output tubes) and my wife loved the looks. You can also use other output tubes (quite a few others) with the Sterling if you feel like experimenting down the road. It is auto bias and you just pop them in.
Speakers for the Audion could be anything 90dB and above, in a small area, as it puts out 12 watts/side. The Audion gear also runs 4 ohm loads like a breeze which will broaden your speaker selection.
For the amp itself, I would go single ended. The Audion Sterling (basic model) with one input and a volume pot runs around $1200 (new). It has a narrow profile (half or less of standard width) and is very nice looking in chrome and black and/or stainless and black (the gold finish is not to my taste). It uses a single EL34 on each side with a 6922 input and 5687 driver tube. I owned an Audion Silver Night (same chassis but uses 300B output tubes) and my wife loved the looks. You can also use other output tubes (quite a few others) with the Sterling if you feel like experimenting down the road. It is auto bias and you just pop them in.
Speakers for the Audion could be anything 90dB and above, in a small area, as it puts out 12 watts/side. The Audion gear also runs 4 ohm loads like a breeze which will broaden your speaker selection.