Looking for a Quality Desktop Solution

Well, I can only tell you I bought the Musician Pegasus and am really happy. Some R2R DACs are reputed to have rolled-off highs. Not this one. Plus, the expansion of soundstage is palpable. Have to say though, after reading Soundnews.net review of their Draco that’d be worth considering. But, I find I need every bit of the Pegasus’ output in my preferred setting to get the most out of my Aryas, so I’m still glad I went that way. If I were you, Denafrips Pontus ll, Soekris, and Gustard would be other DACs I’d consider, depending on what sound characteristics you’re looking for. I’ll just say that coming from delta-sigma DACs I’m absolutley thrilled with the Pegasus, but to get the most out of it you’ll wanna use the XLR connections.  I bought short XLR interconnects from LavriCables and think they offer huge bang for the buck. Hope this helps, and best of luck.

@soix You’ve given me really good advice before. So If I were to go with the the Singxer I would need a DAC to make the chain work. Suggestions? My baseline comparison is a Qutest with an LPS. Thank you and Merry, merry.

I highly recommend this headphone amp that’ll beat the snot out of any headphone amp in an integrated — your headphones will thank you for it. I have this driving my Hifiman Arya Stealth ‘phones and it makes them sing.  And you can just add a small-footprint amp later and use this as a preamp to drive desktop speakers if you ever decide to go that route. It’s fully balanced BTW. Just one idea.

https://www.amazon.com/Singxer-Balanced-Discrete-Single-Ended-Amplifier/dp/B08QMDM631/ref=asc_df_B08QMDM631/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475811984565&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=777827280454388326&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003636&hvtargid=pla-1207731386054&psc=1

Thanks for all the suggestions. I hadn’t thought about speakers behind me but it would make great sense. I don’t have much room on my smallish desk which already has a laptop and second screen. If I put speakers on my desk, where would I throw my crap?

Right now I am considering something like the setup @arafiq shared, but just getting a small footprint integrated with a headphone output and skipping speakers for now.  I do have some good phones (Aeon Open and Focal Clear) that would be great to use at my desk.  Although I am going to try out the speakers behind me idea to see how that works for the future.

GR Research Desktop mini

Big buck sound for not a lot of money. Some assembly required

Add a small inexpensive sub and you you'll be able to update the dac and the amp and never want to leave your desk.

Check this out ...

The passive LS50 (what I have) is a little too big to be on a desktop. The new active one with DSP (and desktop setting I think) would be better, but then you do not need the Hegel 390.

The isoacustics stand are really a must for desktop speakers.

Amazon.com: IsoAcoustics Iso-Stand Series Speaker Isolation Stands with Height & Tilt Adjustment: Iso-155 (6.1” x 7.5”) Pair : Musical Instruments

It also looks like the new LS50 is Roon certified so you could sell MRendu. That would be a sanitary setup.

Only negative is flexibility forfeit over separates.

I've been happiest with single driver in desktop type application.  No driver integration issues, and they can sound good at low volumes.

On a desktop in the near field I think the KEF LS50 concentric driver topology makes a lot of sense. If you get the powered version you might be able to just plug in your Ethernet or streamer and be done. Best of luck.

There are a pair of Quad S-2 over on usaudiomart for ~$1K. I had the S-5 model for about a year and rue the day I sold them. Still looking for another pair until this day. Might be a good solution for the recommended "Behind You" config.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/quad-s-2-loudspeaker-page-2

This could work for amp.  Plenty of $$ left over for nice speakers.

I use Totem Mite speakers and a small Matching sub on the floor. They are beautiful and sound terrific near field. Natural and detailed. You must be very careful in a desktop situation not to have a noisy system or harsh  speakers.

Get a KEF LS50 and put the speaker behind you like I do. Putting speakers on a desktop is not very satisfying. I know I did that as my main system for 5 years. 

You actually have tons more choices if you exclude the desktop. If you do use the desktop, then you can save a ton of money to get something like this. You will not need the Hegel then.

KEF Powered Desktop Computer Speakers

Here is an example of what I mean.

Office System | Virtual Listening Room (audiogon.com)