Spec me: Integrated Speaker Amp, Headphone Amp, DAC

mid_gen

mid_gen

mid_gen

Soldato
Joined
20 Dec 2004
Posts
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I've got an iFi ZenDac V2 which is on the way out (speaker output is dead), and some Bose active speakers from 15 years ago which have a mangled cable (thanks, bunnies) and are frankly a fire hazard.

Behind me I have a pair of Quad 11L speakers in bird's eye maple, which were replaced when I upgraded my front room speakers to Falcon Acoustics IMF 100 (amazing btw)....but I can't bring myself to get rid of the Quads.

My 49" ultra wide monitor is being imminently replaced by a more compact 31.5" 16:9 display so I should be able to accommodate the Quads on my desk.....but I'll need some amplification!

Recommendations are 30-150w @ 6ohm

I'd rather have one integrated unit that does everything. I don't want a streamer, bluetooth, or any of that stuff, just need a USB-C input, speaker out, headphone out.

I could live with a small stack with a power amp for the speakers, if it looks nice. I've spent a small fortune on Apple gear and I've got the desktop aesthetic bug :(
 
emotiva.com

BasX TA2 Stereo Preamp/DAC/Tuner With Integrated Amplifier

Welcome to Emotiva Audio Corporation. Home Audio Systems, Speakers & Accessories and more. We use science to evoke the true emotion behind every note.
emotiva.com emotiva.com
parasound.com

HINT6 Integrated Amp – DAC, Phono, Headphone & Home Theater Power

All-in-one integrated amp with 160 W, high-end DAC, phono stage, and headphone output. Streamline your system with seamless music and movie power.
parasound.com
www.audiolab.co.uk

9000A

As ever, the 9000A is the centre of the audiolab focus in being the beating heart of any high-performance audio system. It’s more powerful, capable and feature-packed than any of the preceding models – the most advanced audiolab integrated amplifier yet. Versatility is key to audiolab’s...
www.audiolab.co.uk www.audiolab.co.uk

couple that come to mind
 
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hornetstinger said:
emotiva.com

BasX TA2 Stereo Preamp/DAC/Tuner With Integrated Amplifier

Welcome to Emotiva Audio Corporation. Home Audio Systems, Speakers & Accessories and more. We use science to evoke the true emotion behind every note.
emotiva.com emotiva.com
parasound.com

HINT6 Integrated Amp – DAC, Phono, Headphone & Home Theater Power

All-in-one integrated amp with 160 W, high-end DAC, phono stage, and headphone output. Streamline your system with seamless music and movie power.
parasound.com
www.audiolab.co.uk

9000A

As ever, the 9000A is the centre of the audiolab focus in being the beating heart of any high-performance audio system. It’s more powerful, capable and feature-packed than any of the preceding models – the most advanced audiolab integrated amplifier yet. Versatility is key to audiolab’s...
www.audiolab.co.uk www.audiolab.co.uk

couple that come to mind
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I want something for my desk, not my hifi rack :) I had a Naim Nait5i on my desk which I got rid of as it was ridiculous :P
 
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That limits your choice a bit Also requirement for USB-C? I don't think I've seen anything with that.

Only the square type B USB input

There's Wiim Amp Pro, that is a DAC, pre amp, speaker amp, headphone amp, streamer in one but it lacks USB input.

You might need two box solution, ie from Topping, a DAC/preamp/headphone amp box then power amp box
 
Fosi Audio ZA3 power amplifier
Fosi Audio ZD3 preamp/DAC

Looks kinda neat, but lacking a headphone amp. Rather not have 3 devices.
 
Screw it I've ordered that used NAD 3045, worst case I can move it on.

Be so nice to get rid of these Bose desktop speakers again....they aren't terrible, but that base Bose sound is really tiring when listening for long sessions.
 
What's your budget? My setup aligns with what you intend to end up with in terms of chain it seems, so maybe something along these lines is ideal?

DAC/Preamp/Headphones amp: Luxsin X9 (though there are others available as well that are no doubt competent such as the new FiiO K15 or upcoming K13 R2R), the X9 offers more features for sound tuning than anything else in this price range or even beyond though and is desk friendly as well. It has subwoofer output and controls as well as a full parametric EQ.

Power amp: Topping PA7. Don't bother with the Plus version as both models are exactly the same inside, it's only the external power supply that varies.

Here is how it looks, though older pics I now have them stacked side by side:

fOweSXv.jpeg


uHvkAiY.jpeg


That combo will power basically anything you could buy without entering megabucks territory, and sounds superb.

The other plus of teh X9 is you get soundstage control as well, so as you intend to use the quads near-field, having this feature will come into its own I bet.


Edit* Just seen you ordered the 3045, a good sounding amp with good headphones out, but just be wary that right after warranty these (along with the previous D series models I had) all failed or went dodgy with little help from NAD, hence why I moved away from NAD.
 
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mrk said:
What's your budget? My setup aligns with what you intend to end up with in terms of chain it seems, so maybe something along these lines is ideal?

DAC/Preamp/Headphones amp: Luxsin X9 (though there are others available as well that are no doubt competent such as the new FiiO K15 or upcoming K13 R2R), the X9 offers more features for sound tuning than anything else in this price range or even beyond though and is desk friendly as well. It has subwoofer output and controls as well as a full parametric EQ.

Power amp: Topping PA7. Don't bother with the Plus version as both models are exactly the same inside, it's only the external power supply that varies.

Here is how it looks, though older pics I now have them stacked side by side:

fOweSXv.jpeg


uHvkAiY.jpeg


That combo will power basically anything you could buy without entering megabucks territory, and sounds superb.

The other plus of teh X9 is you get soundstage control as well, so as you intend to use the quads near-field, having this feature will come into its own I bet.


Edit* Just seen you ordered the 3045, a good sounding amp with good headphones out, but just be wary that right after warranty these (along with the previous D series models I had) all failed or went dodgy with little help from NAD, hence why I moved away from NAD.
Click to expand...
Nice, looks like a tidy combo.

Thought I'd bite on the 3045 as there was a used one for a decent price. Shame NAD were no help, what problems did you have with em, no luck trying a repair?
 
The issues with the 3045 were that the volume would randomly adjust itself (!) and that some random crackling/popping started to happen just as sound started to play but only right at the start, maybe a cap or resistor failing. NAD did offer to repair it but it was something like £400+ and at that price you're better off just getting a new amp. Same applied to previous D series with different issues like OLED screen burn or dimmed LEDs or not powering on etc, once again offered to repair but at nearly new unit cost.
 
I'd have gone with that Emotiva tbh, the high pass would be handy.

Or Wiim Amp pro, as that has dac, pre amp, an excellent streamer, high and low pass, speaker phase alignment, room EQ, digital in, headphone out, HDMI ARC. No USB input though.

I think I read a couple of those Nad's blowing up not just on this forum (Nads blowing up sounds painful)
 
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hornetstinger said:
I'd have gone with that Emotiva tbh, the high pass would be handy.
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As I said, this is for a desk, not a hifi rack.
hornetstinger said:
Or Wiim Amp pro, as that has dac, pre amp, an excellent streamer, high and low pass, speaker phase alignment, room EQ, digital in, headphone out, HDMI ARC. No USB input though.
Click to expand...
I don't need any of those features. I do need a USB input. Why do you always ignore people's requirements and recommend irrelevant stuff? It's not helpful.
 
mid_gen said:
As I said, this is for a desk, not a hifi rack.

I don't need any of those features. I do need a USB input. Why do you always ignore people's requirements and recommend irrelevant stuff? It's not helpful.
Click to expand...

Like I said, apart from USB, it's sort of suitable. the USB is only for data storage, not USB audio in. If PC is a source you could use optical.

But having USB C? I've not seen any audio devices with that they're typically type B. The processor I have uses Mini USB for audio.
 
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