Small form Digital integrated solutions and reviews?

cnh

I thought it might be useful to start a thread that is devoted to these new digital amps that are pretty much class D with DACs for your desktop. For the "mere" mortals among us; those who are a little cheap? lol

I hope to hear some of these and invite everyone to ADD more as I can't find a lot out there, but I know there are more than two!

So here are a couple you may have seen:

http://nadelectronics.com/products/digital-music/D-3020-Hybrid-Digital-Amplifier

http://usa.denon.com/us/product/hificomponents/amplifiershf/pma50

The NAD has been well reviewed and discussed on this site. The Denon, I believe, is a newer offering and also does DSD files.

Let's continue this list. Criteria: you CANNOT suggest anything that goes above the $599 price point, because that's not cheap!

Example: Sony has a $799 amp, a little big but not full-size. Should we include that? $799 seems a little high for a Sony. They should think about bringing this DOWN!

http://store.sony.com/usb-dac-system-for-pc-audio-zid27-UDA1//cat-27-catid-All-Res-Audio?vva_ColorCode=000000&_t=pfm=category

BTW, Polk seems to be interested in this market so where is the Polk "integrated"? I know there is a Polk Desktop system, and the Woodbourne unit. But that's not exactly what the above are.

Irrenhaus

How about the Teac A-H01 goes for $499.00 New.

http://audio.teac.com/product/a-h01/

Reviews:

http://seriousaudioblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-teac-reference-h01-integrated.html

http://www.whathifi.com/teac/ud-h01/review


Cheers

cnh

That TEAC looks like a contender!

Here's another one by them that has pseudo-VU meters! The price, though, a $100 more than the limit. OK, I'll let this one slide. Also comes with a black front. Here is the silver: Also a little big in terms of 11" wide-an "almost" small form?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_063AI501DS/TEAC-AI-501DA-Silver.html?tp=34948

OldSchoolPolk

Yeah, if it has VU meters (whether needed or not) it should get a pass to be included. Even though the price hits the mark AFTER a $150 mail in rebate.

Good looking unit and with my old ears I bet it (actually all of them) sounds just fine. I do like the small form factor.

mrbiron

The PS Sprout is also slightly above your range (799) but has good reviews. I'll post them when I get on my computer.

OldSchoolPolk

Just saw a review of the Denon PMA-50 on AVRev.com. They liked it a lot and it does seem to have a few nice features (analog in, sub out, treble/bass controls) that some units lack. It can drive 4 ohm loads.

I also read (can't confirm) that the Denon unit has the same CSR DDFA chip as the NAD D7050 but under cuts the NAD by $300.

cnh

Thanks, OldSchool...!

This is the kind of info we need to flesh this thread out. I'm scanning for some of it myself but have a lot on my plate at the moment.

I also hope some of you who have either heard some of the units above or own them will chime in with a review. And I might eventually invest in one myself and go on a listening tour when I have time!

cnh

DSkip wrote: »

I haven't heard it, but I've looked at the Wadia 151 many times. It fits in the budget at its current price.

Thanks,

That does count because its clearance price is in the ball park. But Wadia units usually top $1000+ and their DACs are top notch. So this is kind of a "steal"?

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-2701-wadia-151powerdac-mini.aspx

Very tempting!

cnh

Seems like Rick has a "contender" for this thread for "sale". Another TEAC. Hmmmm. Lots of TEACS.

Thanks to Rick for his sale/review! And a plug for his sale, so here's his link:

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/166052/fs-teac-np-h750-networking-usb-dac-integrated-amp#latest

mrbiron

Musical Fidelity V-90 Amp $350 but can be had for less.
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/v90-amp/

There are reviews but not many.
http://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/546-musical-fidelity-v90-amp-integrated-amplifier

cnh

$350 is cheap!

Really clean, minimalist face! Got to start tracking done reviews of all of the above and more!