Need some suggestions for a desktop amp.

The Benchmark AHB2 and the DAC3B HGC stacked on top (not an sonic issue) will give you a small form factor and also sound great with those warm Harbeths. 

I have a similar setup with KEF LS50s. I will be upgrading those speakers one day to something simitar to the Harbeths. One reason to do this is because I want to keep the Benchmark gear (with 2 AHB2's).

@jb505 I got an email from PeachTree Audio today informing me of their GAN amp with built-in DAC. It seems a streaming only system. Peachtree gear is usually not too big. I had the NOVA 150 on my desk at one time to KEF LS50s.

BTW - you will be 100% better sound if your speakers are behind you and not near your desk. Look at my Virtual Office System on A'gon.

That Matrix mini-i Pro 3 recommended above was a great choice. I gave mine to my buddy and should not have since he is not even using it. It would be perfect in my 2nd office where I have only a headphone amp and no desk space.

@tjag I was originally excited to listen to the Luxman 509x integrated. When I demoed it with a Harbeth speaker (forgot the model) I thought it was pretty good, even though Harbeth are not the speakers that I wanted to buy.

I then heard the Luxman c900u and m900u in an all-Luxman stack with the same speaker. It was so much better than the 509x so I crossed off the 509x from my list. I was thinking of getting the m9000u with a cleaner sounding preamp. I was thinking of the Mola Mola Makua. The c900u was too much warmth.

Along comes the Benchmark HPA4 and LA4 and I figured that could be a much lower cost Makua. So I got the HPA4 to see if it would work. I loved the HPA4 and considered it doing what the Makus is supposed to do (never heard the Makua).

I tried the HPA4 with a CODA #8. The CODA #8 is often compared to PASS but maybe not as warm (or hot). I loved this combo and have recommended it to many people.

I also love the HPA4 (later replaced by the LA4) with the AHB2 monos. The AHB2 does not have the same power at 2 Ohm as the CODA #8. I plan to use this stack with a less demanding speaker along with a 2nd Mustec 005 DAC (ASR bad measurements) so I will essentially only hear the DAC because the other 2 pieces are ultra-quiet and ’soulless’. The DAC and speaker provide the soul.

For me, adding a Benchmark piece offers some clarity to the sound that makes me feel like that is the correct way to sound. I do not like to have too much color in my sound. The 07x and AHB2 was preferred by me over the 07x and CODA #8 but I needed the extra power at 2 Ohm of the CODA #8 with my Thiel CS3.7.

I think the KRELL XD lineup is as good as the Luxman m900u amp. Actually, better to my ears.

You have a 30-day home trial with the Benchmark gear. The tube Schitt Freya+ preamp ($1000) works nicely with the AHB2. It is super quiet. I would try that first with a AHB2 over the 07x. I have owned the Freya+.

@tjag The Freya+ is very good for the price as is the CODA 07x. My issue with the 07x is that it is not dead silent, like my LA4. The Freya+ if I remember correctly is almost silent, though not as detailed as the 07x. The Freya+ is definitely a tube piece that is not too tubey. The 07x is a SS piece that has the warmth of tubes, but not too much. For me the LA4 is just right.

I liked the neutral AHB2 amp with the slightly tubey Freya+. I liked the 07x and LA4 with every amp I tried with those 2.

I do not look at price anymore for audio gear. It is all a mirage. I like the Benchmark LA4 the best of all and that is $2500. I look at what works for my ears and synergy with my other gear.

BTW - tomorrow I pick up a new top end tube headphone amp. I am not sure if it will work with my 07x preamp, since it already has a preamp section, but it only has 1 source input. I have 4 sources. If the 07x does not work with this new headphone amp, I would rather use the LA4 preamp where the 07x currently resides with my 2-channel gear. Meaning I may sell the 07x.

The 07x has 2 pairs of XLR outputs for 2 sets of amps, same as the Freya+ (though 1 output may have been RCA). The LA4 has only 1 setup of XLR outputs.