Compact desktop DAC/speaker amp/headphone amp combo?

[B17NNS]

Decided to sort my desktop audio out. I’ve ordered a pair of Q Acoustics 3020’s for a bargain £119 from Richer Sounds.

Now I need a DAC and an amp (or a combo). I’ll be playing FLAC files via jRiver on my iMac.

Anybody got any suggestions?

PS Audio Sprout looks like it fits the bill but is a bit pricey at £500.

http://www.psaudio.com/products/sprout/

Thanks in advance

ETA the Denon PMA-50 looks like an option.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00SYE8QY6/ref=mp...

Edited by B17NNS on Monday 22 January 03:03

[benz0]

Take them back and replace with a pair of active monitors intended for desktop/nearfield use. Can be done for 150 to 300 quid for an excellent pair.

Makes no sense at all spending 500 sheets on an amplifier for a relatively cheap pair of speakers

[mizx]

As above powered monitors may have been a better option, but if you don't want to do that, with the speakers you have an SMSL something would do the job for roughly the same price. Looks like another of those bizarrely named cheap Chinese brands you see on Amazon, bewilderingly large range of audio stuff, but seem to have the odd genuinely great value product.

AD18 £120.

TEAC AI-101DA is another one similar to that Denon but cheaper. It will depend how important the headphone out is to you, and I don't know if this is the same with most of these compact integrated DAC/amps (for powering speakers, not dedicated headphone amps), but I remember reading the headphone output on these Denons is mediocre.

Edited by mizx on Monday 22 January 12:25

[B17NNS]

Thanks, I've heard the 3020's near field and liked them. They're reduced from £200 so seemed a bit of a bargain.

SMSL AD18 looks like it ticks all the boxes and the reviews seem positive.

Looks like the Denon has been discontinued on their website (still some about though at £300), replaced by the PMA-60?

NAD D 3020 keeps popping up as a recommendation too.

[Dr Z]

Fostex HP-A3 that has the AKM dac or the HP-A4 which supports DSD playback

+ Yam A670?

[B17NNS]

Dr Z said:

Fostex HP-A3 that has the AKM dac or the HP-A4 which supports DSD playback

Are they not just DAC/Headphone amps?

Dr Z said:

+ Yam A670?

That looks like a contender.

Marantz M-CR611 also.

https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/38438/...

[Dr Z]

B17NNS said:

Dr Z said:

Fostex HP-A3 that has the AKM dac or the HP-A4 which supports DSD playback

Are they not just DAC/Headphone amps?

Yep, you'd need a separate amp to power the speakers. The Fostex will run off the USB. I suppose a lot will depend on what you're going for/budget allows...cheap dac+fancy power section or fancy dac+cheap power section. The QA speakers should be easy enough to drive, so don't need an amp with big power, so I'd be thinking about a nice dac+fairly cheap power section.

[Crackie]

B17NNS said:

Decided to sort my desktop audio out. I’ve ordered a pair of Q Acoustics 3020’s for a bargain £119 from Richer Sounds.

Now I need a DAC and an amp (or a combo). I’ll be playing FLAC files via jRiver on my iMac.

Anybody got any suggestions?

PS Audio Sprout looks like it fits the bill but is a bit pricey at £500.

http://www.psaudio.com/products/sprout/

Thanks in advance

ETA the Denon PMA-50 looks like an option.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00SYE8QY6/ref=mp...

Edited by B17NNS on Monday 22 January 03:03

A pair of these would be great if you can stretch the budget a little. http://uk.kef.com/x300a

A pair of these if not https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruark-MR1-Active-Wireless...

[B17NNS]

Just to wrap this up I went with the Denon in the end, very pleased with it. Thinking of adding the matching Q Acoustics 3070S Subwoofer for 2.1.

[Dr Z]

I have that sub, I find it excellent for music. Fast/ well controlled, with good insight. Might not do the big crash-bang-wallop thing but I'd say it's convincing enough in a nearfield setup.I say go for it, if you're loving the 3020s.

[B17NNS]

Dr Z said:

I have that sub, I find it excellent for music. Fast/ well controlled, with good insight. Might not do the big crash-bang-wallop thing but I'd say it's convincing enough in a nearfield setup.I say go for it, if you're loving the 3020s.

Cheers, yes would just be for music. Loving the 3020's so far. For the money I think they sound superb. Build quality is great and they're pretty handsome looking too.