Best Solid State (SS) desktop amp under $350

I'd say the O2+ODAC is pretty good.

If you're looking dac and amp - I really like the Audio-gd NFB-12.  Relatively compact, good dac (a touch of warmth & plenty of body), powerful amp, black background.

Won't be the most ultra detailed - but I love mine.  Worth looking at. Very good value for the price.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygyzy 

I've been tempted to get a O2 + ODAC but if that's the case, I'll just wait for the Desktop O2 + ODAC release. The reality is, I would always be using it at my desk anyway so no point in buying something made to be portable and inherit the compromises that come with that.

The O2 + ODAC is not portable, in the sense that it doesn't have batteries (that space is taken up by the ODAC pcb) so you cannot use it outside. Just that the 'form factor' is portable like.

The only difference is that the power comes from a wall mounted supply. I'd say its both a good and a bad thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygyzy 

I know you are trying to help so thanks but yes, i understand the sizing of the O2 + ODAC. Let me rephrase - I don't want the O2 + ODAC. I want the Objective Desktop Amp version when it comes out - regardless of the size of the current O2.

Sure if you can wait then why not.

I've been doing a similar search.  Be sure to check out the Matrix M-Stage.

Brooko, how do you feel about the treble rolloff mentioned on the NFB-12?  Obviously you like the amp, so I guess I already know what you think, but thought I'd ask anyway.  That seems to be the one major thing keeping me from trying it over the Asgard or M-Stage although both of those are also considered slightly on the warm side for SS amps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline315 

I've been doing a similar search.  Be sure to check out the Matrix M-Stage.

 

Brooko, how do you feel about the treble rolloff mentioned on the NFB-12?  Obviously you like the amp, so I guess I already know what you think, but thought I'd ask anyway.  That seems to be the one major thing keeping me from trying it over the Asgard or M-Stage although both of those are also considered slightly on the warm side for SS amps.

The treble roll-off only seems to be there via USB - and I think that was fixed with the NFB-15.  I only use optical - and haven't experienced any treble roll-off myself.  Again I'll reiterate - for the price - the build quality and features are pretty hard to beat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooko 

 

The treble roll-off only seems to be there via USB - and I think that was fixed with the NFB-15.  I only use optical - and haven't experienced any treble roll-off myself.  Again I'll reiterate - for the price - the build quality and features are pretty hard to beat.

Interesting.  I only use USB, so...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygyzy 

 

Thanks, I just put the M-Stage on the top of my list. Do you happen to know how I can identify the latest revision/version? I will buy used and don't want to end up with an older version.

That I don't know.  I'm leaning more towards the Asgard right now, so I haven't researched it TOO heavily.

That said, I don't see a TON of them popping up used (there are some from time to time), but the price reduction isn't so significant that it would sway me away from buying somegthing new. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygyzy 

Are you talking about the Asgard? There like half a dozen of them in the For Sale section; that's more than any other amp that I've seen. They are all $30-50 off. I agree, the discount isn't that great but a few are pretty new (less than six months) so not too bad.

No, I was referring to the M-Stage.  I didn't state that very well...

My point was that if I went for the Matrix amp, then I'd probably just order it new.  It's only about $230 (shipping included) and it seems like when they pop up for sale in the used forums you only end up saving around $30.  I'd rather buy new and be sure that it was the latest version, etc.