marvinzzmartian

for something really productive but simple, try the diyaudio.com group and the chip amp thread. these chip amps put out about 50W per channel in their most basic form and are said to sound fantastic. they are also called gainclones. they can be made very cheaply, especially if you can get the parts free as samples (I did), I am also a newbie, or, like you, returning to the hobby and I also need to collect tools as well. try electronic goldmine for cheap tools and parts. I am still putting together an order and am very psyched to build my first version of this.