Need DAC Advice Please ^_^

[TLS Guy]

But you're summing the output of the speaker's preamp. The left speaker has stereo inputs that feed an internal 2-channel amp. The amp also has stereo preouts.

I know, but if those outputs are not buffered you will get mono.

To be certain you would have to see the circuit. However the overwhelming likely hood is that those outputs are not buffered.

[Grador]

I believe what TLS Guy is saying is that if the speaker's internal amplifier is not well designed they can be driven from the output jacks. If this is the case putting a Y-cable on the left and right outputs could allow them to essentially drive each other which would end up summing the signals to mono internal to each speaker.

Hope this is correct and clears things up a little.

[TLS Guy]

I believe what TLS Guy is saying is that if the speaker's internal amplifier is not well designed they can be driven from the output jacks. If this is the case putting a Y-cable on the left and right outputs could allow them to essentially drive each other which would end up summing the signals to mono internal to each speaker.

Hope this is correct and clears things up a little.

That is exactly what is most likely to happen. That is why sub manufacturers put on left and right inputs, as this is the usual situation and the sub has the buffer amps. A sub with only one line input can only be powered from an LFE input, a buffer or dual channel crossover.

[TLS Guy]

The OP can do a simple test to see if the A5 outputs are buffered. Connect the two line outs together and then provide input to only one speaker.

If sound only comes out of that speaker the outputs are buffered, if sound come out of both speakers they are not buffered.

[mmbuckwa]

Hello, this is my first post and I have the Audioengine A5 speakers hooked up to my desktop and I love them. I looked into DACs a month ago and almost got the Audioengine D1 but read the audio blog over at cnet and they recommended the Fiio E10 dac over the audioengine. I ended up getting that because of this and the fact that it cost only half the price of the D1. It sounds better than without it but I have no way of knowing myself how it compares to the Audioengine. The Fiio does have a bass boost switch that I keep turned on and it provides all the bass I need with out a subwoofer.