Small, compact desktop amplifier?

[VaKo]

I'm looking for a small, compact amplifier that will mainly be used for desktop computer audio but also has the ability to fill reasonably sized room with music. I have a somewhat unusual setup as I ended up with 2 centers and a subwoofer rather than the more normal set of bookshelf speakers. My main reason for wanting a new amplifier is I know the speakers I have sound better from an old Technics SU-VZ220, whilst the SMSL sounds kinda thin, especially in the mids, and lacks soundstage.

What I have now:

Computer -> Pro-Ject USB Box S+ -> SMSL SA-50 -> Monitor Audio MR Center x2, Wharfedale Diamond SW150

What I've looked at:

• Topping TP60
• Audioengine N22
• Dayton Audio APA150
• AudioSource AMP-100VS
• Maverick Audio Tube Magic A1
• Used Teac A-H500

My budget is around £200, but would stretch to £300 for something exceptional. I don't have room to have a full sized amplifier or I'd get a Marantz PM6005/Rotel RA-10, so it is really important to have something that is shoebox size. I'm fairly new to this but I don't think I need more than about 20-30w given the speaker sensitivity. A pre-out would be useful as I'd like to have the subwoofer hooked up to it via RCA's rather than using the speaker input.

I'm in Europe so imports from the USA be almost double the list price, for this reason the Emotiva BasX A-100 is out as the unit itself is £185, but with shipping, duty and taxes it's almost £340. I'm happy with used, so long as it's not vintage.

My questions are:

• Does anyone have any experience with anything on the list above?

• Does anyone have any recommendations for something better than the ones on my list which fits the size and cost bracket?

• Will there be any substantial audible difference between any of these amps at this price point and with the weird speaker setup I have? All I want is noticeably better than the SMSL.

Apologies if this isn't quite what the forum was intended for, I've really struggled finding something which is the right size and power whilst not being either super-budget from China or hand made in a mountain top boutique and sold for £3000.

 

[ski2xblack]

How much do the NAD D 3020 go for over there?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Willing to bet this one is good and choice:
http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/ClassD/ClassD.htm

 

[j_garcia]

I would advise against Topping. I owned two of the TP60s and both failed within weeks.

I own an original Audiosource Amp100 and they are good, but it is quite a bit larger than the others. Works very well though.

Too bad about imports. Despite the rating of the TP60, the Emo A100 delivered more power cleanly.

 

[afterlife2]

TDA 7498 100 watts check ebay great chinese amp and cheap. Need a 32w 5amp AC to make it shine.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/TDA7498-2-100W-High-Power-Class-D-Two-channel-Audio-Digital-Amplifier-Board-/322253604475?hash=item4b07cfc67b:g:-lkAAOSwMgdXztE1&_trkparms=pageci%3A36411ef4-02d0-11e7-8b2b-74dbd18079c3%7Cparentrq%3Aa63ff7b715a0a5e2820d3af9fffffa5f%7Ciid%3A22

 

[VaKo]

How much do the NAD D 3020 go for over there?

£400-£450... More than I want to spend here.

Willing to bet this one is good and choice:
http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/ClassD/ClassD.htm

Interesting, I'll take a look at that. Not heard of them before.

I would advise against Topping. I owned two of the TP60s and both failed within weeks.

I own an original Audiosource Amp100 and they are good, but it is quite a bit larger than the others. Works very well though.

Too bad about imports. Despite the rating of the TP60, the Emo A100 delivered more power cleanly.

That's the thing with the Toppings, seems to be they sound good but if you get a bad one it's hard to get this resolved.

How much is larger is the AMP100? From what I can tell, it's slim enough to fit under a monitor even if it is wide.

TDA 7498 100 watts check ebay great chinese amp and cheap. Need a 32w 5amp AC to make it shine.

I've thought of DIY, but if I was going that way I'd likely get the Amp Camp Amp kit or something of that nature.

 

[afterlife2]

Got this cheap Ras Pi case and wallah: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ActorJLB/media/IMG_2602a_zpst7pl4eox.jpg.html

 

[j_garcia]

How much is larger is the AMP100? From what I can tell, it's slim enough to fit under a monitor even if it is wide.

It is taller, but depth is about the same. It may be a bit wider also, though that's closer than the height. I think it would still fit under a monitor easily.

 

[Kha-Jinn]

If you can stretch your budget to £299 (UK, right?) look at the Denon PMA-50, great sound, enough power to fight with your neighbors, subwoofer pre out and complete set of digital and analogic inputs, all in a small form factor.

 

[JRT3]

Pity about your import price of the Emotiva A-100 BasX - I bought one last fall and it's a keeper. So is the a-100 mini-X, the previous model, which I bought new fall/2015 (It was on closeout - the newer one was also on sale!). I have the previous model driving Klipsch RB-81ii's in my upstairs bonus/hobby room, while the new model drives my 1977-vintage Klipsch Heresys or Koss Pro-4aa headphones. Both amps are fed by their own Onkyo C-7030 CD player. Hooking an active sub up to either amp requires an external volume control ahead of the amp because the line out is connected before the amp's volume control. I bought an Emotiva Unbalanced Volume Control, an in-line external volume control. I could adjust the amp's volume control for the amount of sub-woofer, controlling the overall level with the in-line control (It was on sale, too - possibly a closeout since I can't find it on their site!). My sub-woofer was a JBL SUB 550P. I tried it with the Klipsch speakers and even my NHT SuperOne 2.1's - it helped - some. I didn't turn the sub on for months, so I simplified matters and removed it!

The amps are great values - here. Have you contacted Emotiva directly about buying one directly? I know s&h won't be free, as it is for us in the States, but how much can it really be, it weighs 15 lb packed! The regular price is $229 (U$D). If my pair are any indicators, they are very reliable. They are linear Class A/B amps with a nice sized toroidal power transformer - and a fan (Which I have never seen running on either amp!). Good luck!

John

 

[MR.MAGOO]

I like the Denon PMA-50 (but kinda pricey but has subwoofer capability), and the NAD D3020 (less pricey but no sub). My computer desktop is cluttered with AudioEngine D1 and Niles SI-2100. Trying to 'de-clutter' my life! Will probably have to make do with what I have.