Compact Amplifiers

[Hoopsontoast]

I fancy trying a somewhat more compact amplifier (width) that would fit in an Ikea Kallax unit at 330mm, as an alternative to my Bryston B60. Speakers will be the Tannoy Stirling TWW so somewhat easy to drive and efficient.

Only needs a couple of inputs, a built in DAC would be great but not essential, same with a Phonostage as I have an external one I really like. I have my little Decware Zen SET, the 2Wpc is not not really enough.

Obvious choice is Quad 99/Elite series, I had a 99 Power a good few years ago, which was alright although being used with a pair of Magnepans, so not ideal.
Other stuff I've had is the Sony TA-F3000ES which was alright although I used it with my previous Tannoy Stirling HE and I preferred the Bryston B60 over it so not interested in that again.
Same with the Rega Brio-R and not interested in Cyrus gear.

The Clones Audio 25i looks interesting, other than that I've not seen much else that really takes my fancy.

Any others come to mind? Budget around the £500 or so mark.

 

[The Bish]

Heed Obelisk Si - a nice lightly used one on eBay at the moment for 599.

 

[Dozey]

March Audio P122 looks good. I have not heard one though. Keith at Purite sells them.

 

[sunbeamgls]

PS Audio Sprout?

 

[linnfomaniac83]

Have you ever tried Linn LK gear, or Meridian 500 series?

Both are truly Kallax sized and sound very good indeed.

If you were a bit nearer, I’d bring a selection of both round for you to have a listen... I will be in Oxfordshire later in the year visiting friends but you may be sorted before that anyway.

 

[Amber Audio]

^^^+1

Quad Vena, several variants, thoroughly enjoyed my time with the first version into various speakers including ProAc Studio 115

ProJect MaiA - swapped out a Yammy 303 as I wanted a really compact desktop amp at work into Dali Zensor 3, not that I have had a chance to use it for a year.

 

[Moonbuggy]

Another shout for the Pro-ject Maia. There's a well know dealer with a DS version on ebay for £550

 

[McNaim]

Teac AX 505 integrated

 

[Hoopsontoast]

Teac AX 505 integrated

That looks interesting, although possibly hard to find on budget.

 

[Amber Audio]

That looks interesting, although possibly hard to find on budget.

It was on my list but I never did find one at a decent price.

 

[simon g]

You might be lucky and land on a used Exposure XM5 for around your budget.

 

[Amber Audio]

You might be lucky and land on a used Exposure XM5 for around your budget.

I’m sure I saw an ad for a used one the other day but can’t for the life of me remember what website.

 

[simon g]

The Rega Io would also be worth consideration; brand new for well under your budget

 

[Fergus]

What about something like this? Came across it whilst browsing and it doesn’t appear particularly wide. It has enough power for your Tannoys I would imagine.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/amplifiers/pass-aca-v1.8/1405227783

 

[RoA]

A bit over budget (you did say ... 'or so' ) and its only a power ...

Prima Luna

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PrimaLun...d=link&campid=5338728743&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

£650?

 

[RoA]

Leema?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINT-LEE...d=link&campid=5338728743&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

 

[sideshowbob]

A sympathetically serviced Quad 303 and Bob's your uncle.

 

[PerF]

I fancy trying a somewhat more compact amplifier (width) ..

..Any others come to mind? Budget around the £500 or so mark.

Came to think of Crimson, nice little boxes with excellent sound.

 

[TonyScarlett]

A sympathetically serviced Quad 303 and Bob's your uncle.

Or a 306

 

[Seanm]

Or a 306

Quad 306 and 99 are working really well for me into Tannoys, do-able for the budget and excellent for that kind of money. Surprisingly good MM stage in the 99 too. MC stage only so-so.