Need some suggestions for a desktop amp.

@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+.