Here's another +1 for the Cambridge 640P. Very small with low height, and obscenely quiet, making for delicious dynamics. Fast and neutral. I've been living with mine for nearly a year and have no urge to swap it out.
I'm only guessing here, but I suspect a reason that the NAD, Music Hall, and Cambridge 640P all attain such high performance at such a small price in such a small package is related to the improvements in quietness, speed, and linearity of the latest op-amps.
I'm only guessing here, but I suspect a reason that the NAD, Music Hall, and Cambridge 640P all attain such high performance at such a small price in such a small package is related to the improvements in quietness, speed, and linearity of the latest op-amps.