Opinions on PMC vs. Neat, Monitor Audio

@itzhak1969 
I mentioned some of that info in the post.

I use a Creek Classic 5350SE int. amp, in a small-medium room, but the speakers are placed on isoAcoustics stands on a desk in a near-field setup.
I currently use Neat Motive 3, and also tried Monitor Audio GX50 (both are up for sale in the classifieds)

@mb1audio02 I think due to the non-standard speaker placement, I am not getting the most of the speakers. The sound out of the Neat is a bit lean and not involving. The MA are a too laid back and also probably suffering from not being in a more conventional placement

Besides the PMC, and Spendor mentioned here, which may work better in my setting, I am also thinking about going to an active monitor approach, which is designed to work in near-field

@mb1audio02 I would be interested to understand your considerations when you recommend a preamp?
Also, wouldn't the 5350 be a "waste" if used only as a power amp?

I didn't think passive preamp == no preamp ?

Let's say I keep the Neat Motive 3 (and not switch to the PMC which may be more suitable for nearfield)-

One option would be to add the Creek active gain card,
Second option I had in mind (which also relates to the previous thread I have on upgrading a DAC), is to go with something like a Benchmark DAC1.

The Benchmark would be an adequate DAC (used with something like a hiface USB->SPDIF converter from my PC), it would probably drive my HD650 better than the Creek, and I could use it as a preamp to the 5350.

Third option- I saw a used Classe SSP-30. Yes, this is an old HT processor, but I've read that it is very good for 2 channel stereo. It also has SPDIF input, so I can use it as a DAC as well. I don't love this option because of the extra box, but it is interesting.