Need new amp for pa system primarily for reproducing voice. What I do need is something that is lowest cost possible but good performance, ideally small but size isn't most important factor, has at least 2 aux inputs and output will be to speakers and independant one to recorder (a marantz 660) so I can change address volume independant of speaker volume. The inputs are from mics that run through external preamp and from aux input from comp or various pmp's along with cd player. It needs to be able to playback either the aux feed from the mic or the cd or aux feed from devices but not both at the same time so should be simple enough. There are no other inputs needed but it does need to record both through the output to the 660.

If possible it needs to take 4 speakers on L and R stereo but split into 2 channels so I have one stereo out but on an "a" and "b" channel. Not quad sound but stereo that is split into 2 pairs so I can turn ither pair of speakers on/off independant of each other. Any recommendations appreciated on this.

You have a lot of specific requirements, and you might not find everything in one unit. Meeting all of these requirements with "professional" PA equipment would require several different devices...

But, if you're not doing any mixing, a regular stereo receiver or integrated amplifier would probably work. (An integrated amplifier is a preamp with input switching, etc., and a power amp in one box... It's like a receiver without the tuner. But, integrated amplifiers are somewhat rare, and you'd probably end-up spending more than for a receiver.)

You should be able to find one that has connections for two sets of speakers and an "A/B/both" switch. Make sure to check the impedance specs (ohms) first. Typically, a receiver/amp can drive 2 pair of 8-ohm speakers, but not 2 pair of 4-ohm speakers.

If you need to mix (i.e. mix the mic with music), a small mixer running into a receiver or integrated amplifier should work.

What??? I assume you want to change the speaker volume without changing recording volume??? Again a reciever or integrated amp will usually have a "tape out", which is not affected by the volume control.

By address volume I mean public speakers voice, I should have put speaker volume really to make it more clear, guilty as charged sorry . I don't do any mixing on it so that's not neccesary as speakers in front of the mic and music/prerecordings never need be mixed in with the live voice. In fact the way I have had the old setup wired was deliberately to keep the prereorc or live voice playback exclusive to one or the other so I can't accidentally put both through which would be a bad thing in this case.

Thanks for the reply, one single device seems suited and pro options not essential if there is consumer stuff that suits since it's just for voice and all tweaks (from blitzing the noise and high pass mainly) are done in post on comp. I could wire one of my comps in as my linux box has everything I'd need and more but I don't like running overspec'd things and it adds to much complex things and more to go wrong hence I take the most simple route possible that give acceptable result.