I’m talking products in the $100 range, plus / minus a bit. let’s also mention their pros n cons while we’re at it. I will update this post with products mentioned and the pros / cons that get shared as the conversation progresses.
Schiit Audio Magni 3+ - $100
Pros - very powerful, stylish metal design / constructions, warm sound profile, pre-amp output
Cons - metal design doesn’t appeal to everyone. power and gain switches on the back
Schiit Audio Heresy - $100
Pros - very powerful, stylish metal design / construction, cool / detailed sound profile (think THX), pre-amp output
Cons - metal design doesn’t appeal to everyone. power and gain switches on the back
Monolith (by Monoprice) Liquid Spark - $109
Pros - powerful, stylish, very warm sound profile (think hybrid tubish), pea-amp output
Cons - costs a bit more than the others
Additional Pro - has 2 inputs! Has come in really handy switching between solid state and a tube buffer or if you have a computer and a turntable, etc.
Additional con: while powerful, not quite fully enough power to drive the T50 class of headphones - which are a price appropriate class of cans.
the 2 i am thinking of… but then again that might be a bit too warm since my vinyl records are already feeling a bit TOO warm on a schiit mani, grado cartridge, and powered speakers with a headphone jack
100% agree… looks like stand alone amps here but the zen is sweet and could argue better value as I feel it would stay on peoples desks longer (should they decide to upgrade)