[Todd R]

Need some suggestions please.
A desktop computer audio system that will be running speakers and headphones.
 
I'm looking for a small footprint amp that has:
Analog and digital inputs.
Speaker outputs, somewhere in the 20-40 wpc range.
A headphone output (of course).
Price under a grand...closer to $500 would be better.
 
The NAD D2030 is possible. The new PS Audio Sprout looks promising, but it's not out yet. I want to keep analog inputs as an option in case I want to add a better DAC, connect a turntable, etc...
Thanks

 

[cel4145]

Why not get a small digital amp, and then get a separate dac/headphone amp/pre-amp? For example, this Indeed speaker amp would have plenty of power: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-2014-Indeed-Class-D-TDA7498E-160WX2-Stereo-Amplifier-Silver-36V5A-adapter-/291074063041

Then the Audio-GD Compass 2 would be a good dac/headphone amp/preamp: http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/Compass%202/Compass2EN.htm

 

[Todd R]

Anything else?

 

[Wage]

Have you considered the ASUS XONAR Essence One? I have the MUSES Edition and love it, but that's closer to $1000 than $500. The Base edition can be had for around $500 though.
 
E1 Base Edition: http://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_Essence_One/
E1 Plus Edition: http://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_Essence_One_Plus_Edition/
E1 MUSES Edition: http://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_Essence_One_MUSES_Edition/
 
I've never seen the Plus Edition for sale new or used here in the USA, but I'm not sure where you're located. It seems easy to find in EU and Asia.
 
They also have the STU out now, but I haven't tried it so I have no idea how it compares. I hear it's on the same level as their Essence ST(X) soundcards, which are great for the money until you need something external or start itching for higher end audio.
 
Essence STU: http://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_Essence_STU/
 
To be honest, if this is for your PC only and you don't absolutely need an external DAC/Amp, I'd just get an Essence ST(X) and call it a day. But if you're going to be using this with other devices (home theater, game consoles, swapping between multiple systems, etc.) then I've been very happy with my E1 MUSES Edition.
 
Essence ST (PCI): http://www.asus.com/Essence_HiFi_Audio/Xonar_Essence_ST/
Essence STX (PCI-E): http://www.asus.com/Essence_HiFi_Audio/Xonar_Essence_STX/
Essence STX II: http://www.asus.com/Essence_HiFi_Audio/Essence_STX_II_71/

I have no experience with the STX II but have heard it's great if you need the ST's 7.1 capabilities but have a newer motherboard that doesn't support PCI. Its higher price tag ($320+) brings it much closer in price to other great DACs though, whereas the ST(X) are a steal if you're only going to be needing a DAC for your PC and nothing else.
 
EDIT: Oops sorry, didn't notice you needed digital inputs for the amp. I guess that leaves out Essence ST(X) cards.

 

[Makiah S]

Yo know I did some reaserach on the Muses Edition of the Asus Xonar Essance, and I'd have to say it might fit your bill. I does power speakers I  know, I do not believe it will drive them at 20-40wpc, I could be wrong though. But something like the Indeed Speaker Amp paired with the Xonar Essance Muses Edition might net you Under $1000, if you can find a killer deal on the Muses edition 

 

[Todd R]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Guess I should also mention this needs to be in it's own cabinet, a stand alone device, not any kind of a sound card.
I'll be taking this around to other places besides my computer. I own an iMac anyway....no place to install a card

 

[cel4145]

Yo know I did some reaserach on the Muses Edition of the Asus Xonar Essance, and I'd have to say it might fit your bill. I does power speakers I  know, I do not believe it will drive them at 20-40wpc, I could be wrong though. But something like the Indeed Speaker Amp paired with the Xonar Essance Muses Edition might net you Under $1000, if you can find a killer deal on the Muses edition 

Does that Muses Edition power speakers? It looks like it has XLR and RCA line output, but not speaker amp.

 

[Makiah S]

  Yo know I did some reaserach on the Muses Edition of the Asus Xonar Essance, and I'd have to say it might fit your bill. I does power speakers I  know, I do not believe it will drive them at 20-40wpc, I could be wrong though. But something like the Indeed Speaker Amp paired with the Xonar Essance Muses Edition might net you Under $1000, if you can find a killer deal on the Muses edition 

 
 

Does that Muses Edition power speakers? It looks like it has XLR and RCA line output, but not speaker amp.

I don't think it does, but I did mention that purchases the Indeed Class D Speaker amp you posted along with the Xonar might be a good buy, get the quality of the Xonar Unit and have a dedicated amp for Speakers
 
Ofc the other option is maybe to grab something like one of the Emotiva Speaker Amps and then purchase one of the Resistor Boxes being sold oneline, so you can use one of the extra Speak Outs for a Headphone, my understanding is the "Resistor Boxes" are reducing the current going through to a level a little better for headphone users. But there is ofc no one BEST solution, only MANY good options 
 
Well maybe one of the New OPPO Recievers 

 

[cel4145]

Well maybe one of the New OPPO Recievers 

Or maybe the Peachtree decco65?

 

[Makiah S]

Or maybe the Peachtree decco65?

Indeed, I'd imagine the Peachtree offering might sonically be a step above the Asus, Don't get me wrong I LUV Asus [mother boards] granted for a Gamer their USB dac might be a god send, but I'm going to go on a limb here and say Peach Tree has been in the Audio World a little bit longer, and more than likely has a better overall product in the end for your specific needs
 
mind you this is pure speculation 
 
Or if I was in your shoes
 
I'd get one of these
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/amp/Precision1/Precision1-3.JPG
 
And one of these 
 
http://schiit.com/products/modi
 
I love Audio GD, they make some pretty kicking amps. I've got a Audio GD NFB 10ES2 Amp/Dac atm and I love it, What I sent you a link to was the Percision 1 which is a High Powered Speaker/Headphone Amp, and the Schiit Modi which is their entry Level Dac. The dac is going to give you a nice clean Line Level to feed that amp with. Though the amp is not suited for use with iems, under any circumstances 

 

[Todd R]

Or maybe the Peachtree decco65?

the deco is discontinued now, but they have the nova65SE. 
Maybe.....would prefer a small cabinet but it's a definite maybe/