Compact, medium power speaker amp?

[Hopstretch]

Like a maroon, I'm getting the itch to ditch my highly enjoyable and convenient active Quads for some passive P3ESRs. This means I'll need an outboard amp, which is going to be a tight fit on my already-overloaded desk.

So I guess I'm looking for suggestions on amps that are modestly sized and modestly powered and might have modest synergy with the Harbeths -- which are a 6 ohm load and 84dB sensitive and will be used in the very nearfield.

There are a couple of Class D options which obviously fit the form factor -- Headroom, Bel Canto S300 -- but I'm not sure about the sonics. An Aleph 3 would work, but might just burn its way through to freedom. I nearly pulled the trigger on an Ayre V-3, but realized sadly that 18"*15" and 55lbs does not really a desktop amp make. Toob options I know next to nothing about.

Open to any and all input*. Thanks.

(* So's your Mom etc. etc.)

[grawk]

simplese is what you need

[Dreadhead]

All I can say is I'm glad your wife makes lots of money

Linn LK-100?

Edited October 29, 2009 by Dreadhead

[swt61]

Oddly enough Quad is another option. Also Cyrus.

Edited October 29, 2009 by swt61

[n_maher]

simplese is what you need

Too bad it's already sold*.

*not to Stretch

[Hopstretch]

^^^

See, I knew that.

Chris, I did see an older LK-280 going pretty cheap recently. I've never heard any Linn stuff, though.

[n_maher]

Seriously Stretch, I think a key to this is to get the amp off the desk.

[Hopstretch]

You're just looking to sell some more 25ft custom interconnects!

Hmm, Quad 99.

[Dreadhead]

^^^

See, I knew that.

Chris, I did see an older LK-280 going pretty cheap recently. I've never heard any Linn stuff, though.

I have a Linn Classik for my speakers and really like it and think it does detail well. I am no speaker expert though and my room is far from ideal. I think they are fairly well respected. I have not been able to determine what class (A, A/B etc) they are though.

[Guest sacd lover]

Monarchy SM-70 Pro .... runs hot .... but very compact 1/2 size chassis and great sound from the single ended, zero feedback, Class A, MOSFET design.

Monarchy Audio

[Asr]

How much power do you need? There's the Exposure 2010S integrated which has a few solid positive reviews and isn't too expensive either at $1.1K. Or if you just need a power amp, you could try maybe the Parasound Halo A23.

[tkam]

W4S ST-250 Stereo (ST-250) - Stereo Amplifiers - WYRED 4 SOUND

the comparative d-sonic model is probably cheaper but the the wyred4sound stuff does look nicer

[Duggeh]

Quad 77 integrated, 77 power or 99 stereo. 77 is prettier, 99 has a bit more power.

The 909 is also surprisingly compact.

[n_maher]

Monarchy SM-70 Pro .... runs hot .... but very compact 1/2 size chassis and great sound from the single ended, zero feedback, Class A, MOSFET design.

Monarchy Audio

AudiogoN ForSale: Monarchy SM-70

That one isn't even that far from you Stretch.

[tom_hankins]

Small, light, lots of power.

AudiogoN ForSale: Peachtree Audio Nova Piano Black

Another if you want all SS look for a used LFD int. they are really great with the Harbeths. Or are you just wanting a stereo amp and have your preamp already. The Quads 99s come up pretty often for under $400.00 on Agon.

[feckn_eejit]

be a man and get one of those stonking great Thresholds and help support Nate while you're at it!

[Dusty Chalk]

Are we talking integrated, or power amp? Musical Fidelity XT100 (if you can find one)?

Like a maroon, I'm getting the itch to ditch my highly enjoyable and convenient active Quads for some passive P3ESRs.

May I be the first to say: DON'T DEW ET!

And if you do, and after you compare the two, and decide to stay that way, sell me your active quads. I want to put together a surround system in the office. Say, winter/spring 2010?

[swt61]

X3 on the Monarchy. I'd forgotten about them. Also Nuforce.

[aardvark baguette]

get one of the Lebens

Index of /audioreviews/leben

[veloaudio]

How about this:

AudiogoN ForSale: McCormack Micro Power Drive

Seller has two listed. If one isn't enough juice you could run them mono.

[Voltron]

I do quite like my HeadRoom monoblocs with my Harbeths, and they are nice and compact.

[swt61]

I do quite like my HeadRoom monoblocs with my Harbeths, and they are nice and compact.

Shill!

[Voltron]

Aren't I supposed to get something from HR or Tyll for shilling? I've never gotten anything more from them than a HeadRoom mug with some good bourbon in it. Come to think of it, that was some pretty good bourbon! Hey, maybe I am a shill.

[n_maher]

And if you do, and after you compare the two, and decide to stay that way, sell me your active quads. I want to put together a surround system in the office. Say, winter/spring 2010?

You stay the hell away from mah QUADs!!1

I do quite like my HeadRoom monoblocs with my Harbeths, and they are nice and compact.

And if you wanted even more compact you wouldn't have to get the monoblocks. One of the 2ch amps would probably do nicely too.

[Hopstretch]

Did I not mention they were already spoken for?

Thanks all for the suggestions. Much to chew on. Like, if Harbeths are all about mids and Quad amps are all about mids, will the combo blow just the middle of my head off?

Incidentally, I did a little experiment this week and only listened to the 12Ls, no headphones at all. Speakers are still moar better.