Need some suggestions for a desktop amp.

You didn’t mention budget. I’m sure the Benchmark stack would be better than the IDA-8. I had the latter, and while it offers a lot good for the price, you would notice the difference on your Harbeths. I have a pair of P3ESR, and to me, the IDA-8 used with them sounded fine, but not as good as more expensive gear. (I'm using a Classe preamp and Marsh amplifier.) The IDA-8 digitizes everything, so you will get its signature even if you use your own DAC.

I wish I could suggest a compact integrated up to the standard of your Harbeths, but I am not familiar with that market. If you buy the IDA-8 new, I’d make sure you can return it if you don’t like it.

Active or powered speakers would help solve the space dilemma, but IMO Harbeths are hard to replace for natural and non-fatiguing sound. So be careful . . . there are worse things than a crowded desk. If you like the Naim otherwise, make space for it if you can!

This should fit the bill. You can return it if you don't like it!

My budget is < $2K give or take.

yyz - I’m sure the Benchmark is a great amplifier. It’s a little over my budget. Also it’s a balanced only amp so I would have to buy their dac and I’m up to almost $4k.

Mike - thank you so much for the heads up on the Nuprime. I was really close to pulling the trigger. I’ll wait and shop around to see what other options are available. It’s amazing to me how many headphone amps there are for desktop while not many regular amps. 

yogiboy - I’ve seen the Audiolab in my research but I’ll take another look. Thx.

ghd - you got me thinking about moving it all off to the side and many making space for something a little larger. That would open it up to a lot more options. I do have to think about the wife factor as well. But it may just put me in the same situation as before just with the mess in a different place.

i believe the harbeths are hard to drive, so i'd look at the peachtree nova 150, which is small and powerful

I had a thought for a different option. I have a fully restored Marantz 8B amp in my closet that I could use if I could find a table to fit over the REL sub so I could place it on over the sub on a table. Then find a smallish Pre/Dac to fit under my iMac. I'm trying to post a picture of my set up but it won't take my photo.