Top Notch Desktop System

Bob, thank you for mentioning the VLRs.  I will read about them.  

Mike, the Harbeths were on my list, but I forgot to include them in my post.  Thanks for the information about them.  

The KEF's do seem to be a little polarizing, especially in the near field. 

I got terrific desk top sound from two small REL t-zero subs with passive speakers placed on top of them. Favourites at the moment are Quested H108 or ATC 11. I’m sure the small Harbeths would do very good too. Look forward to try them. Important to use speakers that integrate well and easily with subs. KEF’s don’t in my experience. They have an uncontrolled bass.

Whatever speakers you choose for the desk top you will need a correction system. I found the small Paradigm PW AMP with ARC room correction to function perfect in that matter. It has enough juice to drive all possible speakers for near field listening. It has sub out. It also has d-play streaming capacity - still unfortunately a very bad app. I got four of this magical amplifier (several systems on the same desk). Without correction you will have a very strange frequency responce in your chair.

Like you I listen maybe 6 hours a day to my desk top systems and maybe half an hour a day to the main systems. So it makes a lot of sence to put the money there. And for near-field you dont have to spend that crazy amount of money to really get fabulous sound. Naturally you don’t get the SPL capacity and the big physical experience of the large system.

I've been extreamly happy with my Audioengine HD6 speakers and a S8 powered subwoofer.

TANNOY AUTOGRAPH MINI

SPECS. https://www.tannoy.com/Categories/Tannoy/PRESTIGE/AUTOGRAPH-MINI-OW/p/P0DEK#googtrans(en|en)

REVIEWS
https://6moons.com/audioreviews/tannoy4/autographmini.html
https://hometheaterreview.com/tannoy-autogrpah-mini-loudspeakers-reviewed/

You might look at the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore powered speakers for $600. I’ve heard them at AXPONA and was impressed. Stereophile reviewed them this month’s issue and likd them. It would save amps and wires etc and may do the job. They sound better than the price point indicates.