[revolutionz]

Hey all, been doing a lot of searching over the last couple days, and just cant seem to find what I'm looking for.  Here's what I'm working with:
 
I have a laptop and my PS3 at my desk.  I want to use USB out to the DAC from my laptop, and optical from my PS3.  Connecting to it I will be using my Shure SE846, and possibly in the near future, a pair of HD650 or HD700.  I also want a line out to run the DAC to my desktop speakers.
 
Options I have looked at are:
 
Audinst HUD-MX2
Audioengine D1
Topping D3
 
What I am looking for, are something similar to these amps, with a sound signature that would be similar to my RSA Shadow that I use for my portable setup.  My budget is ~$500, but these all seem to be on the lower end of the budget.  While I know price isn't the end all, is there something very similar to these that would be a couple hundred more that would offer a noticeably better DAC/Amp? Is there anything better that I should be looking at for my particular needs?  Thanks in advance.

 

[cel4145]

Look into Audio-GDs products. Good stuff, and you can spend all your money

 

[gevorg]

For Shure SE846, make sure to get an amp with gain control, especially if you want to pair it with HD650. Otherwise you might struggle with volume adjustments being too loud too soon.

 

[revolutionz]

I have been leaning towards the Audinst, but was hoping for something a couple hundred more that might offer better DAC/Amp section.

 

[cel4145]

I have been leaning towards the Audinst, but was hoping for something a couple hundred more that might offer better DAC/Amp section.

If I were looking in your budget (not quite there yet), I'd be considering the Compass 2:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/631659/audio-gd-compass-2-amp-dac-impressions-thread
http://www.head-fi.org/t/385759/the-audio-gd-compass-was-designing-an-alternative-to-the-zero-dac-amp

 

[revolutionz]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.  I finally found a few that I am going to try and find in a store to try out.  They are:
 
Nuforce Icon HDP
NAD D 1050
or CEntrance DacMini with the 1ohm output mod.  This is the most expensive, but I think it will pair best with my SE846's, since they only have an impedance of 9ohms.  More than I wanted to spend, but if the sound is right, it should last quite a while before I want to upgrade.