compact amp/dac

[Trustmeimadoctor]

anyone have any leads on a decent compact amp/dac currently use a nice sansui su-gx30 amp powering a set of ruark sabers for using on the pc

but im getting a new desk so need something a bit smaller than the sansui really, currently im using a usb-c to 3.5mm headphone adapter/dac ugreen cm720 hi-res 32 bit 384khz as the onboard audio is really noisy in linux mint it works ok but im sure i can do better


so any suggestions

[miniman]

[rodericb]

Wiim amp?

Fosi BT20A Pro? https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php...

I put the Fosi in as you've got a u-green DAC.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Will check those out as 500 is maybe a bit much for pc speakers

[d_a_n1979]

I'd look at one of the SMSL amps personally

The NAD is superb, but not cheap

Something like the SMSL AD18: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AD18-Stereo-Amplifier-Blu...

Plenty of power; had one myself and it ran speakers such as Neat Motive 2s, B&W CM5s, Monitor Audio BX5s, Fyne Audio 302s etc with zero issues...

[nyt]

The internet is raving about: https://www.amazon.co.uk/WiiM-Amp-Multiroom-Stream...

There's a better , more expensive, version 'pro' coming soon

[d_a_n1979]

nyt said:

The internet is raving about: https://www.amazon.co.uk/WiiM-Amp-Multiroom-Stream...

There's a better , more expensive, version 'pro' coming soon

It's ok; great functionality but the sound is a bit flat, a bit ok, a bit 'lacking'... That's what I found when I listened to my brothers and that was with very easy to drive Monitor Audio Silver 50 speakers...

Very much a personal preference though... But they are a superb plug n play system

[TEKNOPUG]

There aren't many cheaper DAC/Speaker amp combos. Most are DAC/Pre Amp/Headphone amps. So you may be better looking for a separate DAC and Amp. Consider products from Topping, SMSL, Fosi Audio, Wiim etc.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Cheers will keep looking did see a nice smsl amp bug if was 999 so yeah nog going for that

[TEKNOPUG]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

Cheers will keep looking did see a nice smsl amp bug if was 999 so yeah nog going for that

How much do you want to spend?

DX3Pro DAC
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/topping-dx3pro-...

With PA3 Amp
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/topping-pa3s-hi...

For less than £250.

Or PA5 Amp for a bit more
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/topping-pa5-ii-...

Edited by TEKNOPUG on Tuesday 18th June 11:35

[Trustmeimadoctor]

250 would be fine

[d_a_n1979]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

250 would be fine

The SMSL dac / amp I linked to is £145... No need to spend more than that on another similar amp/DAC as they're all very much of the same until you start going into silly territory

[paul.deitch]

They look interesting. Is there anything like it with 250/300 wpc?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

That's ALOT of power per channel! You either have really inefficient speakers or your listening in an aircraft hanger

[paul.deitch]

Big lounge 50m2 and large garden
I'm currently running 2 x 120 W and would like it louder, LOUDER!

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Fair enough how about running fosi za3 in mono 235w at 4ohm

[paul.deitch]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

Fair enough how about running fosi za3 in mono 235w at 4ohm

Thanks, I'll take a look at it.

[MC Bodge]

At risk of starting something, but....


Would a DAC offer a significant (ie. Actually noticeable to the ears) improvement over the analogue output from a PC/tablet?



I am very interested in trying, but the sound from the Android tablet in our kitchen into a Wingoneer class D amp (board in a home-made enclosure) with tone controls (and through JBL Control One speakers and a 6" Sony sub driver in a home-made sealed enclosure) is really good anyway (Superbly so for such a cheap and simple setup).

As does the output from my HP laptop through a Fosi/Douk Audio class D amp and Mission Speakers in my small home office.

Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 23 June 19:55

[Digger]

How about something like pairing a DAC (iFi ?) with active speakers?

Such as . . .

https://www.amazon.co.uk/IK-Multimedia-iLoud-Monit...

[TEKNOPUG]

paul.deitch said:

They look interesting. Is there anything like it with 250/300 wpc?

You want an amp with a Hypex Ncore module, like this:

https://nordacoustics.co.uk/product/nord-one-value...