Ideal Desktop Amp

zingo
zingo Posts: 11,258
edited January 2012 in Electronics
I need help finding the perfect desktop amp for my Father-in-Law. I haven't been able to find it yet, so here are the requirements and I'm sure someone will know where it is. It can be either tube or SS integrated, does not matter. Must have:
-Good headphone section
-Speaker out (binding posts)
-Attenuated preout (Stereo RCA)

Thanks for the help!
Jake
Post edited by zingo on
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Comments

  • malvrich
    malvrich Posts: 49
    edited January 2012
    Try NuForce. They have a nice line of desktop-type solutions and are known for excellent quality products.
    http://www.nuforce.com/
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited January 2012
    NuForce and Maverick Audio.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2012
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    Are there amps specifically for desktops, or are you just looking for something compact?

    Compact would be nice, but "desktop" because it will be used as the power for PC speakers/headphones.
    Jake
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2012
    I just noticed the Audioengine N22 which meets the requirements also; no idea about sound quality...
    Jake
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  • pyrocyborg
    pyrocyborg Posts: 524
    edited January 2012
    If you don't mind about something a little bit "bigger", a budget integrated amp could be great too. It's not compact by any means, but take the NAD 316BEE for example. It's smaller than the 326, but I don't know what you mean about the attenuated preout...
    Speakers: Polk Audio LSiM 705, LSiM 703, LSiM 704c
    Receiver: Denon X3500H
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,259
    edited January 2012
    I thought parasound made a nice little unit? I dont remember the model..
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
    edited January 2012
    parasound's is the Zamp.

    the audioengine desktop amp gets some good press as well.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • DMara
    DMara Posts: 1,434
    edited January 2012
    zingo wrote: »
    I just noticed the Audioengine N22 which meets the requirements also; no idea about sound quality...

    I love the Audioengine N22, Jake. Been using it in my office rig for quite a while, extremely quiet, output is a little bit airy via the Audioengine AP4's. And I'm using Kingwa NFB-3 DAC with it.
    Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
    Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
    Living room:
    LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
    Bedroom:
    Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
    Other rooms:
    Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
    audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2012
    The preouts tied to the volume pot like a preamp.
    Jake
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  • EDUBAG
    EDUBAG Posts: 403
    edited January 2012
    I had two audioengine n22 it is a very capable little amp, paired with the ap4 it is a great desktop system. I sold a combo for 300 and liked the amp so much that i kept one as backup.

    You cannot go wrong there, check www.audioengineusa.com

    Good luck
    HT:
    POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
    CSI3 CENTER
    DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
    PSW 125 SUB
    PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
    APPLE TV 160GB
    PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
    50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

    2 CHANNEL:
    KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
    ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
    ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
    OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
    PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
    MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
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  • DMara
    DMara Posts: 1,434
    edited January 2012
    EDUBAG wrote: »
    I had two audioengine n22 it is a very capable little amp, paired with the ap4 it is a great desktop system. I sold a combo for 300 and liked the amp so much that i kept one as backup.

    You cannot go wrong there, check www.audioengineusa.com

    Good luck

    My goodness, whoever bought that set from you, that was a STEAL, especially with the AW1 included!!! I'm using the AW2 for my iPod Touch :biggrin:
    Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
    Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
    Living room:
    LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
    Bedroom:
    Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
    Other rooms:
    Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
    audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2012
    It seems like the Peachtree Nova might be a great option for this with tubed pre, although not cheap...
    Jake
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  • EDUBAG
    EDUBAG Posts: 403
    edited January 2012
    DMara wrote: »
    My goodness, whoever bought that set from you, that was a STEAL, especially with the AW1 included!!! I'm using the AW2 for my iPod Touch :biggrin:

    Yes it was, i kept it exclusive for the guys on the forum but after about 45 days and no bytes mi sister bought it as a christmass present for my nephew
    HT:
    POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
    CSI3 CENTER
    DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
    PSW 125 SUB
    PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
    APPLE TV 160GB
    PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
    50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

    2 CHANNEL:
    KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
    ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
    ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
    OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
    PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
    MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
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