Inexpensive Desktop Amp

AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
in 2 Channel Audio
So I'm going in a different direction with the desktop setup and am looking for a small amp. I'm thinking something like the PS Audio Sprout but not wanting to spend that much money if I can avoid it. Its just powered a pair of Polk S15 so doesn't need much power, I just need something small and with a USB input.

Any ideas?
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Comments

  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Dayens Ampino? :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • Legender
    Legender Posts: 478
    You mean something like this...

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NUDDA120&variation=SIL&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6_TWkrWu2wIVSb7ACh3jXQa-EAQYASABEgL15vD_BwE

    Don't have one but looks pretty small and capable and might fit your needs.
    Music: Oppo103 - Parasound JC2 - Parasound A21- SDA 3.1
    Theater: Denon 3808 - B&K 7500/Emotiva XPA-3- RTi12, CSi5, RTiA7x4, PSW505
    Sleeping: Marantz 70005 - Harman Kardon 2400 - SDA 2
    2 Channel: Cary 306 SACD - Canary Audio 906 - Pass Labs x250 - PS Audio Perfectwave DAC, Polk LSiM705, SVS SB13 Ultra
    Office: Dell Optiplex, Emotiva XDA-2, Adcom 5500, LSiM 703
    Spares: Yamaha CA-810; LSi 15; Kenwood Basic M2a, Yamaha M60/M80, Polk Monitor 7, SVS SB13 Ultra
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    A4L has this on sale. Yamaha WXA-50. They also have a small footprint Denon for sale, a bit more though.

    zz0uzg6s5vgk.png
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    verb wrote: »
    Dayens Ampino? :smile:
    The Ampino a) lacks USB input and b) is too large for my use, too long
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    Thanks for the other suggestions, I'll look into them
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,014
    edited May 2018
    Are you using a sub as well, Danny, or just the S15s?
    I disabled signatures.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    Probably just the S15
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    https://www.massdrop.com/buy/topping-mx3-power-headphone-amp-with-bluetooth?utm_placement=2&referer=B3F2JZ&mode=guest_open&utm_campaign=Automated Daily Promotional 2018-05-30&utm_source=SparkPost&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily Promotional&utm_content=1527662792832.203043841916477555703242

    It's almost free...
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    Splurge and get the PS Audio Sprout. Looks like a perfect solution.
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    http://www.smsl-audio.com/productshow.asp?id=95

    I have one, it's small and has all the i/os you need
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    How does it sound?
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Couldn't give you an accurate description as it is used in a super small room and with M4.6s for the time being. It's my girls studio rig. I should throw it on the kitchen rig for a comparison (using the 5JR+s so it would be close, speaker wise).
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    http://www.smsl-audio.com/productshow.asp?id=95
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    http://www.smsl-audio.com/productshow.asp?id=95
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  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,701
    Danny take a look at the Teac products. They are great for desktops and have many features. Not the best for SQ but it really depends how you are looking to use it.
    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    WTH?? I posted that last night, not this morning.

    Please ignore the redundancy.
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    Take a look at these little NADs

    https://www.amazon.com/NAD-3020-Hybrid-Digital-Integrated/dp/B00F0OMUGS
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    Mikey081057 wrote: »
    Take a look at these little NADs

    https://www.amazon.com/NAD-3020-Hybrid-Digital-Integrated/dp/B00F0OMUGS
    The last time someone said that to me it proved to be an uncomfortable experience for all involved lol

    Actually, the NAD is one that’s popped up a few times, anyone have experience with it?

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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    Stereophile liked it: https://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-d-3020-integrated-amplifier-sam-tellig
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    Actually, the NAD is one that’s popped up a few times, anyone have experience with it?

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  • Irrenhaus
    Irrenhaus Posts: 1,089
    Did not check price
    http://audio.teac.com/product/ai-503/
    My 2cents
    Cheers
    HTAVR-Pioneer SC99XPA-DR3 Differential Reference AmpPolk R-700Rear- RT150Side- RT150Center-CSi5Sub-Rythmik audio F25Player- Panasonic DP-UB9000Projector- Optoma CinemaX P2Screen- Silver Ticket Products STR Series 6 120"Audio Room 2ch rig.Cary AE-3, Onkyo M-504, Marantz SA8005, Azur 851NWharfedale - Linton, SVS SB12-NSDMinis Forum PC (streamer) and Panamax MX5105Headphone rig;Schiit JOTUNHEIM and different headphones.Samsung 42" flat screen TV.
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    Irrenhaus wrote: »
    Did not check price
    http://audio.teac.com/product/ai-503/
    My 2cents
    Cheers

    Retails around a G new

    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    Grant Audio Tube DAC-11
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    Anybody familiar with the Parasound Z line? Seems like it could be a nice option.
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  • mpitogo
    mpitogo Posts: 504
    Not small but $399, integrated amp with USB input and lots of options.

    https://emotiva.com/collections/basx-series/products/ta-100
    • Living Room Music-2.1 Polk Legend L800 | SVS SB1000Pro | McIntosh C70 | McIntosh MA5200 (Treble) | McIntosh MC452 (Bass) | Sublimeacoustic K231 Active xover | Denon DP-2500A | Denafrips Ares II | Marantz HD-CD1 | Belkin Soundform Connect | iPad Pro USB to DAC
    • Home Theater-9.7.6/15.1 (Atmos/Auro-3D) Polk LSiM707, LSiM706c, LSiM702 F/X [x6], Height LSiM703 [x6], HSU ULS-15Mk2x4, VTF-15HMk2x2, VTF-TN1 | Trinnov Altitude 16+4 (2024) | Rotel RB-1590 (L/R) | Appollon NC500 11ch | Martin Logan MP500x2 | Topping DX7s, E50 | AppleTV 4K | Zidoo Z9X | JVC RS2100 | 150” Elite Screen Acoustic Pro UHD
    • Game Room-5.1 Polk LSi25, LSiC, LSiF/X | Marantz SR7009 | AppleTV 4K | Sony UBP-X800 | Xbox One S | Sony PS2, PS3 | Nintendo Wii | Gaming PC | Sony 75" LCD
    • Master Bedroom Music-2.0 Totem Hawk | Marantz PM-10 | Marantz SA-10 | SONY PS-HX500
    • Office-2.1 B&W Formation Duo and Bass
    • Orphans Ascend Acoustics Sierra LX | DSW microPRO3000x2 | Rotel RA-1570 | Marantz AV8805A
    • Daughter's Bedroom 1-2.0 TBD Martin Logan Forte | Roku TV
    • Guest Room 2-2.0 Klipsch RP-600M | SMSL DO100 Pro 2 | Pass ACA v1.6 Monoblocks
    • Guest Room 3-3.0 Martin Logan Motion 40, 50XT | Onkyo TX-SR705 | Apple TV | Samsung 55" TV
    • Guest Room 4-2.0 QAcoustics 3030i | Sansui AU-6900 | Sansui FR-1080 | Fire TV
    • Maintenance: Pro-Ject VC-S Record Cleaning Machine
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