Need some suggestions for a desktop amp.
I'm in need of some ideas/suggestions for a desktop amp. built in DAC would be a plus but not necessary. I used to have a Naim Untitqute driving my Harbeth P3ESR's which are very nearfield. My issue with the Naim is the large form factor which takes up a lot of space on my desk. Although the sound and functionality was great with the built in DAC and all.
The issue is, most amps with a smaller form factor made for desks are Headphone amps and not speaker amps.
I tried a little Chinese amp but the ChiFi amp I ordered wouldn't work hooked up via USB to my iMac like it was adverstied to. So back it went.
I considered buying some Active Speakers but have never had any experience with them so not sure what direction to go. I love my little Harbeths so would like to keep them but I'm open to making a change if need be.
I'm close to pulling the trigger on a Nuprime IDA-8. However, I wanted to get others opinions first.
Thank you for your thoughts.
@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?
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@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. |
robelvick I can’t believe we just posted this at the exact same time 😂 |
