A Need for a Desktop Stereo

by Apr 13, 2024Hi-Fi0 comments

I had something set up but it just wasn’t the right fit. I work a lot at my computer in a small, crowded room. Initially, I had a pair of Elac Uni-fi UB5 Bookshelf speakers on stands flanking my desk. That took up a lot of real estate in a small space. The speakers were fed by a Musical Paradise MP-301 MK3 Deluxe Mini Tube Amplifier with EL34 tubes. Streaming via USB through a Cambridge DAC Magic 100. Everything worked fine. I didn’t like having to hook my laptop to the DAC, and the Elac’s were a bit overkill. So, I unhooked everything and just had the music playing in the other room from my main system.

I Need To Think Small

First, the speakers need to fit on the desk. Something that would tuck under my dual monitors. Plus, I wanted the most bang for my buck. I was hoping to do this on the cheap. I looked at a lot of options, and even thought about building a soundbar. In the end, I found a pair of tiny passive speakers, the Micca COVO-S 2-Way Passive Bookshelf Speakers for $50 at Amazon. At approximately 5” x 5” I knew they would lack any low-end bass (only extending down to 90Hz).

Old cars are always a favorite in vintage View-Master images

Now to Find a Small Amp

Again, I wanted something that would tuck under my computer monitors. And like speakers, there are a lot of options. I was pretty sure a Little Class-D amp would fit the bill. Even at the $50 mark, there was a lot to look at. The Saiyin Mini Bluetooth Amplifier Home Audio was the winner. On sale it was under $50, and worth taking a chance. Feature packed with bass and treble control, Bluetooth 5.1, 80watts with a 24-bit 192Khz DAC.

I Was this the solution

I am very satisfied with the results. Hooked the amp and speakers, turned on the Bluetooth, and effortlessly paired the amp to my phone. Connected to Qobuz and I was in business. The sound was decent. My expectations were always grounded in reality. This was never going to replace my main system. That was never the intent. It was lacking a smooth bass tone. But wait! I had an 8” subwoofer. Originally purchased to try to get a little more bass out of a set I had a few years back. I never achieved the desired results I wanted back then. I hooked up the Martin-Logan Dynamo 300, fiddled with some controls on the sub, and Wow! It filled in the lows in with a pleasant bass tone. This little combo makes me happy. And that’s what the music is all about.