[tramsden1960]

Hi, I’m looking for an amp to connect to my Apple Mac mini USB port to use with my Shure 1540’s and also to drive some passive speakers. Don’t want to go for the massive full size units.
any help will be welcome.
probably max out at £300. An added bonus would be Bluetooth ( ideally ldac) but not essential, I suppose I could add this option on later.
Many thanks
Tony

 

[pbui44]

Looking for something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-...YP8JH1C3Q8T&psc=1&refRID=KJZMCX22R7RJP6363KEN

If you need more power for your SRH1540s, then get the Schiit Magnius and RCA-to-XLR Cables and 4-pin-XLR cable for your SRH1540 (make sure you pick XLR for the eBay cable link):

https://www.schiit.co.uk/headphone-amps/Magnius

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TISINO-Cab...ywords=rca+to+xlr+cable&qid=1617555168&sr=8-3

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-35mm-1-4...r-Shure-SRH1840-SRH1440-SRH1540-/263821203990

 

[pbui44]

Forgot that the RCA on the back of the Sabaj is Input and 3.5mm front jack is the only out, so buy this cable with the magnius instead:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NANYI-Spli...1&keywords=3.5mm+to+xlr&qid=1617560825&sr=8-8

 

[pbui44]

If you want a more simple and headphones/speakers-balanced setup, look at this DAC/amp and speaker combo stack:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08136BPBF/ref=psdcmw_976061031_t3_B07TQ574RX

and get this awesome soundbar with built-in subwoofer:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07GYRVP61/ref=psdcmw_1591405031_t1_B08PCJ67XV

or also get this small, but powerful, speaker amp and these well-acclaimed passive bookshelf speakers:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-...keywords=nobsound+320w&qid=1617587496&sr=8-1m

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002WJAQY2/ref=psdcmw_199618031_t1_B07CTPQ7Y

When you get more cash, get the accompanying subwoofer with the bookshelf speakers:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-NSS...MJY9MHT4H4V&psc=1&refRID=JZ9BJ691R2A9VYJHT13F

 

[Mightygrey]

Topping DX3 Pro.

 

[tramsden1960]

Thanks for the advice, lots to think about.
Tony

 

[pbui44]

Please follow up on what you get and how it works with your work/play setup.

 

[tramsden1960]

Well.... I bought a Fosi T20 tube amp and at moment I’m connecting to digital sources by Bluetooth, I intend to buy a dac later to improve the source quality, probably an ifi zen.
I have also connected a Sony turntable to the Fosi and I have to say that the amp is fantastic, I’m loving the sound coming from it.

 

[pbui44]

Well.... I bought a Fosi T20 tube amp and at moment I’m connecting to digital sources by Bluetooth, I intend to buy a dac later to improve the source quality, probably an ifi zen.
I have also connected a Sony turntable to the Fosi and I have to say that the amp is fantastic, I’m loving the sound coming from it.

Sounds great to hear about the Fosi T20 working out well. What speakers are you using? Also, here is an RCA switch box and upgrade tubes for your T20:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-Cd-Aux...af076&pd_rd_wg=aNKNm&pd_rd_i=B000KVODHA&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Riverstone...de14c&pd_rd_wg=M5fgl&pd_rd_i=B01BFJDTW0&psc=1

 

[tramsden1960]

Sounds great to hear about the Fosi T20 working out well. What speakers are you using? Also, here is an RCA switch box and upgrade tubes for your T20:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-Cd-Aux...af076&pd_rd_wg=aNKNm&pd_rd_i=B000KVODHA&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Riverstone...de14c&pd_rd_wg=M5fgl&pd_rd_i=B01BFJDTW0&psc=1

Thanks for the links...
I’m trying a friends 15 year old jamo e800’s at moment but they sound a little light/laid back for me. So really I’m looking for suggestions max £200 ?

 

[pbui44]

Thanks for the links...
I’m trying a friends 15 year old jamo e800’s at moment but they sound a little light/laid back for me. So really I’m looking for suggestions max £200 ?

Here are some Wharfedale 9.0 for a great price and you can get your iFi Zen DAC now with the money you saved :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wharfedale...1072b&pd_rd_wg=G6LqI&pd_rd_i=B00A1E94J8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/iFi-ZEN-DA...en+dac&qid=1618677274&sprefix=ifi+zen+&sr=8-3

 

[pbui44]

Some used Bowers and Wilkins bookshelf sets:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-W-DM60...sh=item46c59a0eab:g:gYcAAOSw8l1gebhV&LH_BIN=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/66b-w-60...sh=item1ab8d8c12f:g:3lsAAOSwiYBgbx-6&LH_BIN=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-W-Bowe...sh=item4dc1ce435d:g:W~kAAOSwT9JgewHe&LH_BIN=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-W-shel...sh=item23f3fb6763:g:EpkAAOSwUxRgea~w&LH_BIN=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bowers-W...sh=item422f363eb1:g:LiIAAOSwvyhgaHx6&LH_BIN=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-w-Dm11...sh=item2b0504b3d1:g:1yQAAOSwE8FgeB83&LH_BIN=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bowers-W...sh=item1ab8cb6327:g:Qm0AAOSwhd1gedEb&LH_BIN=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-W-LM-1...sh=item4b91e63bd3:g:eM0AAOSw8FZgdnhE&LH_BIN=1

 

[tramsden1960]

Wow, thanks for taking the time to research and post links, very helpful.
Tony

 

[pbui44]

Show what speakers you bought and if the Fosi T20 will have enough power, or you will need something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nobsound-B...keywords=tube+amplifier&qid=1618696214&sr=8-4

Edit: ...or even this Nobsound clone for almost half the price:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUCA-AUDIO...=desktop+tube+amplifier&qid=1618697085&sr=8-2

 

[tramsden1960]

Show what speakers you bought and if the Fosi T20 will have enough power, or you will need something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nobsound-B...keywords=tube+amplifier&qid=1618696214&sr=8-4

Edit: ...or even this Nobsound clone for almost half the price:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUCA-AUDIO...=desktop+tube+amplifier&qid=1618697085&sr=8-2

I am tempted having seen the nobsound tube amp to return the Fosi and buy it instead as it has a built in dac. As a bonus it has the bt/rca switch on the front panel.
in terms of sound quality would there be a difference between the two?