I know your issue is size and I can appreciate that, I went that route many times before with a very good sounding Virtue amp to a not bad sounding Chinese chip amp to a much better sounding class a/b and now a very good sounding 19 year old amp.
My experience with the lower cost class d is that they are really not that great. Different sounding yes, nowhere near power specs, check! Trends was okay even better the little Chinese chip amp with 30 volt power supply. I had one raved about cult like JVC (not that great really) ages ago and the Virtue amp put an end to that one. Recently, though I have gone back to good ole class ab. First a new NAD C316BEE. A rip off in my use case @$450 IMHO if you are just concerned about sound. The Dayton AP-150 (has usable volume control and might fit on a desk) sounded better. But better sounding yet is the 19 year old Sonance Sonamp 260. And for about $100 or less plus shipping a very good value, provided you find a nice example.
Hi sorry for the late reply. I have been playing with some class D chinese amp ... and you are right ... even using better psu they still lack power ... I have still to try the 7498e family amps
Impressive amp the Sonance. Never hear of the brand here in Europe ... the toroid is huge. A good sign for sure.
As for form factor, that is why they have the floor beneath the desk. Grab a $59 passive volume like a JDS or Schiit and run the cable down to a very good sounding amp. Good luck with the search.
Thanks a loto for the kind and very valuable advice. This is indeed what i am thinking to do. To keep only the volume control close to the keyboard and run cable. I will look for a passive but also active preamp. I guess an active preamp can be made much smaller than an amp. I am looking just now to the SainSmart 63N tube preamp ... very nice. Thanks a lot again.
