Looking for a cheap amp that'll run 3 speakers!

[Filterlab]

Precisely that mate.

There's two sets of speaker outputs, use an R and the two Ls to connect the three speakers. You'll get a mono signal to all the channels. Don't worry that there's a spare speaker output unused, it's not going to upset the amp at all.

Make sure SP2 is switched on, that enables the second set of speaker outputs.

[Lawrence001]

Depending on the layout of the outputs (which I assume will parallel the A and B speakers) is there not a risk that the channel with 2 speakers will be at low impedance and get overdriven? Is that what the soft clipping is supposed to help with? Presumably it would shut down before doing any lasting damage?

If the speaker impedances are different then you might be able to put two high impedance speakers on one channel and the lower impedance speaker on the other.

[Pigmy Pony]

Depending on the layout of the outputs (which I assume will parallel the A and B speakers) is there not a risk that the channel with 2 speakers will be at low impedance and get overdriven? Is that what the soft clipping is supposed to help with? Presumably it would shut down before doing any lasting damage?

If the speaker impedances are different then you might be able to put two high impedance speakers on one channel and the lower impedance speaker on the other.

She will be using it at very low volumes - it's just for a bit of background music while her clients are burning to a crisp on the sunbeds or having their nails sharpened or whatever

Again thanks for all the suggestions, if she wants me to I'm going to go down the route Rob suggested and put a bid on that Alpha 8 amp (I think she'll like that) and get one of those stereo/mono convertors.

[Pigmy Pony]

Precisely that mate.

There's two sets of speaker outputs, use an R and the two Ls to connect the three speakers. You'll get a mono signal to all the channels. Don't worry that there's a spare speaker output unused, it's not going to upset the amp at all.

Make sure SP2 is switched on, that enables the second set of speaker outputs.

That's perfect, there is one room where she would like to be able to switch off the music while keeping the others going

[Jac Hawk]

Mate i'd get yourself a 2nd hand Extron or Crown pro D class amp especially if she's running in three separate rooms you're going to want to run mono

[Filterlab]

Depending on the layout of the outputs (which I assume will parallel the A and B speakers) is there not a risk that the channel with 2 speakers will be at low impedance and get overdriven? Is that what the soft clipping is supposed to help with? Presumably it would shut down before doing any lasting damage?

If the speaker impedances are different then you might be able to put two high impedance speakers on one channel and the lower impedance speaker on the other.

You'd have to run it very hard, Arcam amps are quite tough old boots. For background music at levels which one can whisper over, or even more moderate volumes, it won't be a problem.

Mate i'd get yourself a 2nd hand Extron or Crown pro D class amp especially if she's running in three separate rooms you're going to want to run mono

The mono converter will do that as per the previous posts. £22. Bargain! Leaves one free to select any amplifier from the fine array on eBay.

[Filterlab]

That's perfect, there is one room where she would like to be able to switch off the music while keeping the others going

Even better!

[Pigmy Pony]

Well I bought one of those mono convertors, and it looks to be a nice solid little thing, about the size of a matchbox.

I had less luck bidding on an Arcam Alpha 8R, which went eventually for £165. So straight away, (staying with Arcam as they seem to have what we need) I did a late bid on a minty looking A75 Diva, and got that for £134. New price looks to have been about £430, so I'm happy with that. Should arrive Thursday.

[Filterlab]

Brilliant! I love the Diva range, my A85 is a killer amp. Should do you a treat mate.

[Firebottle]

I used to run 5 sets of speakers in the property in France, all from the same amplifier.

It is doable provided you use series/parallel connection that doesn't present too low a load to the amplifier.
A lot of folks would (and have done so with dire consequences) just connect all speakers into the terminals without a thought, thus presenting too low an impedance and seriously stressing the amplifier.
Steve give me a ring if you want more info.