Q: I am using an ATI 1502 amplifier to drive Vandersteen 2C speakers. Recently the speakers developed a severe buzzing sound. I replaced the amp with an amplifier from another system and the buzz resolved, so the amplifier needs repairing. If it is not repairable, what suggestions do you have for something reasonably priced to drive the Vandersteens, something with similar audio quality?

A: Check out Buckeye Amps at buckeyeamp.com. Buckeye Amps have found wide acceptance among enthusiasts. The company makes powerful, high-quality amplifiers by hand in the United States and sells them for much less than competitors. The Buckeye Hypex NC502MP 2-Channel amplifier produces 350 watts/channel into 8 ohms for only $695. I will have more about Buckeye Amps in an upcoming column.

A better flosser

Q: I followed your electric toothbrush recommendation several years ago and have been very pleased with it. Can you recommend a water flosser?

A: After my positive experience with the Oclean toothbrush, I bought the Oclean W10 Water Flosser and have been very pleased with it.

From a very young age I was obsessed with gadgets and technology, and wanted to play with and learn about everything I could lay my hands on. (I do not think I have changed much.) One day when I was 9, we visited some family friends, and when I was in their bathroom I saw a Waterpik. It had a thin wand with a nozzle at the end, attached to a long length of plastic tubing that led to a base with a full water reservoir. Curious about what it did, I turned it on. The wand launched itself from the stand, powered by pulsing jets of water, and started spraying water around the bathroom. I turned off the machine, put the wand back and dried everything thoroughly. And I learned to never do that again.

Today you can get a portable, rechargeable water flosser with an integrated water tank that does not occupy a permanent space in the bathroom. Just charge, fill and go. Over the years I have tried a few inexpensive models from Amazon, and though I have found that even an inexpensive sonic toothbrush can be satisfying to use, I did not find the same to be true of water flossers. They tended to feel unrefined, heavy, noisy and, to my surprise, painful, even at low settings.

The Oclean W10 water tank is easy to fill. The hose inside moves freely and is weighted at the bottom, so it is always immersed in water as you use the flosser. It offers quadrant pacing and a timer to direct flossing in each quad of your mouth, and even the high settings are comfortable, removing bits of food from between my teeth quickly. It also is easy to handle and operate. The W10 Water Flosser lists for $69.99, but when I bought mine I was able to use the code oclean25 to save $25 at oclean.com, bringing the price down to $44.99.

Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.