I'm using a Trends TA-10.1 right now and to me it's kind of bright and metallic without the Opera preamp in front of it. Not a great match for either my speakers or my Sigmas.

I'm looking for an amp with balanced sound (can be on the warm side) that's preferably somewhat small and not too expensive, but if it's small and awesome I can swing a little more for it. But not CIAudio D-100 more (if only).

I have a mid-90's Rotel 5 channel home theater. Some of the channels can be bridged together for more power. It may or may not sound that hot for you, but the price is right. Come by and it's yours.

I have a mid-90's Rotel 5 channel home theater. Some of the channels can be bridged together for more power. It may or may not sound that hot for you, but the price is right. Come by and it's yours.

Do you have a model number?

how cheap is cheap? What about one of these:

http://audiosector.com/chassis_patek_amp.shtml

By cheap I was thinking more along the lines of $200, $400 max (prefer not to go THAT high). Those chip amps by Patek, on the other hand...

also, figured I'd give you one DIY option... why not the new Sympatico Amplifier from the folks at Twisted Pear Audio:

http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/news.aspx

More goodies from Twisted Pear!

How do those chip amps sound? I was thinking about getting one to try driving a Stax transformer box.

More goodies from Twisted Pear!

Have you used the Darwin Source Selector? I have a few bits and pieces (MC/RIAA stage + a preamp stage) and if I wire them together and kick out my (real) preamp I need a source selector.

Have you used the Darwin Source Selector? I have a few bits and pieces (MC/RIAA stage + a preamp stage) and if I wire them together and kick out my (real) preamp I need a source selector.

I've yet to try any Twisted Pear stuff, but I know I want to. Including the source selector.

How do those chip amps sound? I was thinking about getting one to try driving a Stax transformer box.

The few I've made sound fantastic.

Nuforce Icon....at 199 or 249 depending on if they still have the special on at Amazon.

The few I've made sound fantastic.

If anyone is seriously interested in a Chip Amp project I've got a working prototype plus a shit load more parts including two more amp modules (fully populated) that can be had for cheap (less than the cost of parts). PM for details/pics - all that would be required to get the prototype working is a chassis and I probably have something that I could offer for that as well... [/shill]

I'd like to hear how the Beta sounds with the Stax transformers (if it will have enough power) otherwise I'm interested in an integrated chip amp.

I'd like to hear how the Beta sounds with the Stax transformers (if it will have enough power) otherwise I'm interested in an integrated chip amp.

If I ever finish the Koss to Stax adapter I should be able to answer that - I've got a working 2-channel beta again.

Do you have a model number?

I'll go dig it out of storage so I can tell you. It's not a great amp and it's not especially small, but it definitely is cheap!

I am really digging my NuForce Icon. Cost like $200 and even just using the built in USB DAC it sounds pretty great. Worlds better than my T-Amp with an Astron PSU. Way more bass than you'd expect out of my Kef monitors.

I am really digging my NuForce Icon. Cost like $200 and even just using the built in USB DAC it sounds pretty great. Worlds better than my T-Amp with an Astron PSU. Way more bass than you'd expect out of my Kef monitors.

KEF FTMFGDW

Now get some bigger kefs.

KEF FTMFGDW

Now get some bigger kefs.

KEFanboy.

KEFanboy.

:prettyprincess:

...not that there's anything wrong with that.