tedp
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Best amp+dac under $1k / Musical Fidelity v90 vs. NuForce DDA-100
tedp
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Or should I be considering the NAD 3020? http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/D-3020-Hybrid-Digital-Amplifier

bierfeldt
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If you must have an all in one, I would look at the Marantz M-CR510. It has a great feature set, sounds great and is 60w for $599. Alternatively, admittedly at a much higher price point, the Peachtree Nova 65se has a built in DAC and is a darn nice integrated for $999.

That being said, I think both can be outperformed by a separate integrated with external DAC. I like the Peachtree DAC iTx for $299. I would get either a Music Hall A15.3 which is 50w per channel or an NAD 326BEE. I think those would be your best sounding options.

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The many Harbeths I have heard (including these) were smooth, relaxed & non-fatiguing.

Since you are sourcing only from digital material, this is a good match, IMHO.
If you are pleased with the characteristics of the Harbeths, then stay with electronics that also lean towards providing neutral sound.
Based on firsthand experience I can recommend the Schiit Bifrotst with Uber Analog & GEN 2 USB upgrades.
This is a V smooth, refined sounding DAC with excellent low-end speed, authority & clarity without the typical ‘boom’ factor.
The top-end is accurate without being offensive, harsh or grainy.
The mids are clear, articulate & natural while the entire response of the unit is V neutral.
The USB upgrade is essential, bringing the performance up to a V high standard as demonstrated by the multiple systems I have heard running this unit. (It has been my experiance that improved performance from USB/SDIF converters can be computer system/config dependent & benefits may vary from one system to another. However all the systems I have heard produced a worthwhile improvement.)

As for power, adding a little speed & pace while not disturbing the flow & smooth character of the Harbeths or inducing fatigue, one might want to take a close look at the Oydessy Cyclopes integrated.
Adding a Schiit SYS Passive Preamp would allow easy connection of a second input, should you wish.

Over your budget by $315 ($365 with the Passive Preamp), but my personal recommendation for an all USA made & majority-sourced system that will not leave you with buyer’s remorse or looking for upgrades nine months down the road.

JMHO YMMV

Bill - on the Hill
Practicing Curmudgeon & Audio Snob
- just an “ON” switch, Please –

tedp
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Thank Bill,

What do you think of the Odyssey versus another somewhat obscure amp, the Job 225 (http://www.jobsys.com/products.htm).There isn't much information about the Job, but it apparently shares technology with the much more expensive Goldmund amps from Switzerland.

I'd also be curious how you think the Odyssey stacks up to a Burson Timekeeper (a little pricier: http://www.bursonaudio.com/creations/timekeeper/)

commsysman
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tedp wrote:

Thank Bill,

What do you think of the Odyssey versus another somewhat obscure amp, the Job 225 (http://www.jobsys.com/products.htm).There isn't much information about the Job, but it apparently shares technology with the much more expensive Goldmund amps from Switzerland.

I'd also be curious how you think the Odyssey stacks up to a Burson Timekeeper (a little pricier: http://www.bursonaudio.com/creations/timekeeper/)

I would suggest that you get the Music Hall 15.3 amplifier, which is excellent and only $550. It is a great value at that price, and sounds very nice.

The NAD C326BEE is also very good, for the same price.

From a design standpoint, I hate having a DAC and amplifier on the same chassis; too many problems with isolating the digital nasties from the audio circuits.

Besides, if they are separate, they can be changed as needed.

There are lots of DACs available in the $200-300 range.

The Audioengine D1 is $169 and the Cambridge DACmagic is $299.

wkhanna
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tedp wrote:

Thank Bill,

What do you think of the Odyssey versus another somewhat obscure amp, the Job 225 (http://www.jobsys.com/products.htm).There isn't much information about the Job, but it apparently shares technology with the much more expensive Goldmund amps from Switzerland.

I'd also be curious how you think the Odyssey stacks up to a Burson Timekeeper (a little pricier: http://www.bursonaudio.com/creations/timekeeper/)

Both the JOB & Burson have garnered good reviews.
I have also read more than a few posts at other forums where they both received good feedback, also.

I have not heard either amp, however.
Neither have any of my close audio friends, so I can offer no first or second-hand impressions on them.

I have had multiple versions of Odyssey amps in my own system for review, and also heard them in some of my friends systems, one of whom owns two of them.

All of them bring minimal coloration, are V neutral with amazing speed that really brings music alive without adding grit, edginess or fatigue.

The rated power listed by Klaus at Odyssey is also V conservative.
All of his amps drove my less than efficient towers with authority and control that rivaled my modified 380 wpc reference amp in all but the lowest octaves.

Bill - on the Hill
Practicing Curmudgeon & Audio Snob
- just an “ON” switch, Please –

teegood64
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Ted, Bill pretty much covered it. I use an NAD receiever, Schiit Bifrost with UBER upgrade/USB, with Martin-Logan and NHT Speakers (a larger room needs 4 speakers to fill up with sound). Very neutral. Very happy. I made a mistake buy purchasing a Cambridge DAC and had Boomy Bass issues. Had to send that one back. I also tooled around with some vintage amplifier/receivers and while I was happy with the sound, the lack of a remote was hard to bear. Very happy with the Schiit, it's an engineering marvel using a simplified approach. Great sound from my laptop!
Good luck!
Trevor

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