Need some suggestions for a desktop amp.

I am a little confused.. desktop? You just want a small form factor? What about under the desk? My office system is off to the side and has a great integrated tube amp powering it.

Also, the DAC is a critical component. You do not want to have it “thrown in” as a part of the deal… you want a very specific, high quality component.

I developed my desktop system over about twenty years. I wanted a deeply immursive system. It required a great DAC, integrated amp and Speakers… as well as some good power conditioning.

My current system includes Totem Mite speakers (and small subwoofer), a PrimaLuna integrated amp and Schiit Gungnir DAC. An excellent sounding system… really punchy, natural, and pleasing to listen to. I put the components off to the side and under my desk.

I also have a great Woo tube headphone amp when I want to listen to headphones.

Thank you for your response.

I do have a dac ready for use if needed. Not an expensive one but I think it sounds pretty good. I have a REL sub off to the side of the desk and not much room underneath otherwise.

How do you change the volume or mute the system if you need to? Do you use the keys on the computer keyboard or have the Pimaluna volume knob within reach?

The Benchmark AHB2 and the DAC3B HGC stacked on top (not an sonic issue) will give you a small form factor and also sound great with those warm Harbeths. 

I have a similar setup with KEF LS50s. I will be upgrading those speakers one day to something simitar to the Harbeths. One reason to do this is because I want to keep the Benchmark gear (with 2 AHB2's).

You didn’t mention budget. I’m sure the Benchmark stack would be better than the IDA-8. I had the latter, and while it offers a lot good for the price, you would notice the difference on your Harbeths. I have a pair of P3ESR, and to me, the IDA-8 used with them sounded fine, but not as good as more expensive gear. (I'm using a Classe preamp and Marsh amplifier.) The IDA-8 digitizes everything, so you will get its signature even if you use your own DAC.

I wish I could suggest a compact integrated up to the standard of your Harbeths, but I am not familiar with that market. If you buy the IDA-8 new, I’d make sure you can return it if you don’t like it.

Active or powered speakers would help solve the space dilemma, but IMO Harbeths are hard to replace for natural and non-fatiguing sound. So be careful . . . there are worse things than a crowded desk. If you like the Naim otherwise, make space for it if you can!

This should fit the bill. You can return it if you don't like it!

My budget is < $2K give or take.

yyz - I’m sure the Benchmark is a great amplifier. It’s a little over my budget. Also it’s a balanced only amp so I would have to buy their dac and I’m up to almost $4k.

Mike - thank you so much for the heads up on the Nuprime. I was really close to pulling the trigger. I’ll wait and shop around to see what other options are available. It’s amazing to me how many headphone amps there are for desktop while not many regular amps. 

yogiboy - I’ve seen the Audiolab in my research but I’ll take another look. Thx.

ghd - you got me thinking about moving it all off to the side and many making space for something a little larger. That would open it up to a lot more options. I do have to think about the wife factor as well. But it may just put me in the same situation as before just with the mess in a different place.

i believe the harbeths are hard to drive, so i'd look at the peachtree nova 150, which is small and powerful

I had a thought for a different option. I have a fully restored Marantz 8B amp in my closet that I could use if I could find a table to fit over the REL sub so I could place it on over the sub on a table. Then find a smallish Pre/Dac to fit under my iMac. I'm trying to post a picture of my set up but it won't take my photo.

The Bel Canto C5i may well tick all your boxes and save you $$$ buying used, and there’s a nice one now on USAM for only $825 (retail $1895). It puts out 60Wpc into 8 Ohms and doubles into 4 Ohms that should be more than ample power for a desktop setup, and as BC makes some of the better DACs on the market it may well beat your DAC in which case you could sell your DAC to offset even more of the BC’s cost. There are several reviews you can read for more insights/info. Just another option FWIW, and best of luck.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649840775-bel-canto-c5i-dacintegrated/

All good suggestions, and thank you for them.

They are all about the same size as the Naim is and thus my issue of crowding me out of my work space.

I’m thinking I can buy some longer speaker cables and possibly move the amp to a corner still within reach to adjust volume and mute during phone calls.

Still thinking about active speakers or maybe just going to headphones. I’ve never been into headphones although I do have a pair hidden in the depths of my closet some where.

@jb505 I got an email from PeachTree Audio today informing me of their GAN amp with built-in DAC. It seems a streaming only system. Peachtree gear is usually not too big. I had the NOVA 150 on my desk at one time to KEF LS50s.

BTW - you will be 100% better sound if your speakers are behind you and not near your desk. Look at my Virtual Office System on A'gon.

A smallish pre/DAC might be the Matrix mini-i Pro 3. It has an excellent sounding DAC. You can check the specs to see if it has all the features you need.

If you're interested in streaming, it does Roon but not plain DLNA/UPnP.

@yyzsantabarbara I have read and heard a lot about how neutral, transparent, detailed, and clean the Benchmark AHB2 is. However, these features are also its Achilles heal because its sound could be perceived unmusical and emotionless.

Therefore, reviewers emphasized on the importance of paring it with a good preamp such as the Coda 07X which you own and is said to be one of the best preamps out there.

My question is can the Coda 07X + Benchmark AHB2($6500+$3000) combination be on par with the likes of Luxman 590AXII($8900) or the Pass labs 30.8($6800)? Especially that the Coda 07X + Benchmark combination is the most expensive here.

Thanks. I’ve looked at all the options suggested, a lot of good ones. I’ve read reviews on all of them. One reviewer says all the good things and then Audio Science Review guy says it measures horribly. I know it’s not in the measurements it’s in the sound!

I still haven’t decided on the direction to go.  But leaning towards the Bel Canto or if I could find a used Wyred for 4 Sound mINT amp/dac I may spring for that. I also looked at a Wadia 151 amp/dac combo that looked interesting. 
sometimes I feel like forgetting the whole thing and selling the Harbeths, already sold the Naim, and getting either a Best Buy Klipsch 2.1 system with a Dragonfly or going the active speaker route.

@tjag I was originally excited to listen to the Luxman 509x integrated. When I demoed it with a Harbeth speaker (forgot the model) I thought it was pretty good, even though Harbeth are not the speakers that I wanted to buy.

I then heard the Luxman c900u and m900u in an all-Luxman stack with the same speaker. It was so much better than the 509x so I crossed off the 509x from my list. I was thinking of getting the m9000u with a cleaner sounding preamp. I was thinking of the Mola Mola Makua. The c900u was too much warmth.

Along comes the Benchmark HPA4 and LA4 and I figured that could be a much lower cost Makua. So I got the HPA4 to see if it would work. I loved the HPA4 and considered it doing what the Makus is supposed to do (never heard the Makua).

I tried the HPA4 with a CODA #8. The CODA #8 is often compared to PASS but maybe not as warm (or hot). I loved this combo and have recommended it to many people.

I also love the HPA4 (later replaced by the LA4) with the AHB2 monos. The AHB2 does not have the same power at 2 Ohm as the CODA #8. I plan to use this stack with a less demanding speaker along with a 2nd Mustec 005 DAC (ASR bad measurements) so I will essentially only hear the DAC because the other 2 pieces are ultra-quiet and ’soulless’. The DAC and speaker provide the soul.

For me, adding a Benchmark piece offers some clarity to the sound that makes me feel like that is the correct way to sound. I do not like to have too much color in my sound. The 07x and AHB2 was preferred by me over the 07x and CODA #8 but I needed the extra power at 2 Ohm of the CODA #8 with my Thiel CS3.7.

I think the KRELL XD lineup is as good as the Luxman m900u amp. Actually, better to my ears.

You have a 30-day home trial with the Benchmark gear. The tube Schitt Freya+ preamp ($1000) works nicely with the AHB2. It is super quiet. I would try that first with a AHB2 over the 07x. I have owned the Freya+.

That Matrix mini-i Pro 3 recommended above was a great choice. I gave mine to my buddy and should not have since he is not even using it. It would be perfect in my 2nd office where I have only a headphone amp and no desk space.

@yyzsantabarbara ​​​​​​, thank you for your feedback.

I live in Sweden and we don't even have the ahb2 in showrooms here, same goes for the Freya. The coda 07x is sold in Germany for $8500.

I thought I get stuff from the used market on hifishark. 

I would like to ask you please, the coda o7x is 6 times more expensive than the Freya. Is it that much better like twice as good as the Freya. Is it worth the price difference? 

@tjag The Freya+ is very good for the price as is the CODA 07x. My issue with the 07x is that it is not dead silent, like my LA4. The Freya+ if I remember correctly is almost silent, though not as detailed as the 07x. The Freya+ is definitely a tube piece that is not too tubey. The 07x is a SS piece that has the warmth of tubes, but not too much. For me the LA4 is just right.

I liked the neutral AHB2 amp with the slightly tubey Freya+. I liked the 07x and LA4 with every amp I tried with those 2.

I do not look at price anymore for audio gear. It is all a mirage. I like the Benchmark LA4 the best of all and that is $2500. I look at what works for my ears and synergy with my other gear.

BTW - tomorrow I pick up a new top end tube headphone amp. I am not sure if it will work with my 07x preamp, since it already has a preamp section, but it only has 1 source input. I have 4 sources. If the 07x does not work with this new headphone amp, I would rather use the LA4 preamp where the 07x currently resides with my 2-channel gear. Meaning I may sell the 07x.

The 07x has 2 pairs of XLR outputs for 2 sets of amps, same as the Freya+ (though 1 output may have been RCA). The LA4 has only 1 setup of XLR outputs. 

I’m using a PS Audio Sprout100 powering some Tannoy Autograph Minis for my office system. Plenty of power for nearfield listening, and the built-in DAC’s sound is quite good for it’s price point.

Very small form factor, and pretty cool looking integrated.

Only $799 with a nice return policy if it’s not up to par.

PS Audio Sprout100.

robelvick I can’t believe we just posted this at the exact same time 😂

Thank you. I have looked at the sprout. I have a negative bias towards the Sprout and I have no reason for it. For some reason I just can’t get my head around buying the little guy.

@jb505

As I began reading your original post, the first amp that came to my mind was the IDA-8. It’s great for desktop or small rooms. However, it does have its limitations. It isn’t designed to power big floorstanding speakers or low sensitivity speakers like your Harbeths in a big room because they’ll tend to be a bit thin sounding. As Mike_in_nc mentioned, it digitizes everything, so you won’t be able to use your external DAC.

Have you looked at the Omnia A300? 150w/ch with built-in streaming capability and even a headphone amp all in one package. It’s not as warm sounding as the IDA-8 yet is also not analytical sounding. I quite happily use it to power my 86dB two-ways.

I’ve bought a fair amount of Nuprime gear from John Casler (check the Nuprime Circle on the AC forum) over the years. I’ll wager you can do better than the MSRP.

Michael

I picked up a used Vitus SIA 025, a bit big, but still fits my desk. Incredible find. 

I thank everyone for the suggestions. I went a little different direction.
I just purchased some used Quad 9L active speakers to plug into my computer so no amp needed. It will clear up the needed space and save some money in the long run.

Although, I’m going to keep the Harbeths until I get the Quads and give them a go. I may circle back to the amp idea if I don’t care for the Quad actives.

Amp idea if Quads don’t sing to me:

IOS class D or Buckeye amp + SMSL SU-9 dac

I pulled a bonehead move and noticed that I don’t think I can connect my REL sub to the active Quad speakers. I had already confirmed the purchase and sent the money so they’re mine.

I have a few of these stories where I pulled the premature trigger and wound up turning the items around for sale again. Oh well, at least I’m not talking Boulder amps or some really high priced equipment.

So I put my bias aside and also purchased a PS Audio Sprout after a couple of recommendations from this thread. I’ll give both a try and see which ones a like better but I think the sub is really gonna be a must for me.

it probably won’t be the last “oops” purchase I’ll make but quite possibly it will be a happy accident.

@jb505 

Congratulations on both purchases.  Keep us updated once you've had time with the Sprout & Quads.

Bob

@jb505 I think you'll be surprised by the Sprout. Congrats!

I purchased the sprout used. It arrived DOA. So I had to send it to PS Audio for a fix. It is under warranty and the seller paid for shipping to PS.
I bought some Quad powered 9L speakers to give the powered speaker thing a try. They arrived, supposed to be in mint condition, with all original everything. The original box was half gone, it looked like rats had gotten to it. The remote control rubber outside was deteriorated to the point where it is all sticky and no power cords for the speakers. I guess my idea of mint is different from others.

I bought some power cords on Amazon. I took rubbing alcohol to the remote and it’s much nicer now.

The speakers are in great shape, not near mint, but overall sound nice.

Tons of great amps in the 2K range!

if too big, ….I love my Avantone cla-200 stereo amp, 

she is great, and sounds wicked playing rock/metal/blues !!

 800$, ….great little amp!

or check QSC,  crown, 

have a couple pro amps in storage, the best is the ca-9 from Crest, before the buyout, as are my Energy speakers from Energy, before destroyed by klipsch!

check out the avantone cla-200 stereo amp, or the QSC!

Many companies are OUB past few years!  
 

 The avantone cla-200 will drive speakers, 

 enjoy the hunt.