What amp/dac combo to go for desktop?

[pomjam]

Hello everyone, i am a newcomer here and would like your input on what equipment i should go for. I am looking to get a dac/amp combo for my desktop, i dont want to spend over a grand so i chose the Sony UDA-1 or the Marantz HD-DAC1 to be candidates as a possible dac/amp setup. Both of these devices have gotten pretty good reception from people, i just dont know which one better suits my needs. I'd hook up my Audioengine A5, my AKG k701 & possibly down the line somewhere the: hd700 or even the hd800.


I can connect these devices either: through my asus xonar stx or straight through the usb or even the computers onboard soundchip 3.5 jack.

There may be other, and better systems out there that i know nothing about, so recommendations outside of the two candidates are also welcome. Thank you for your patience.

 

[agarwalro]

BoredSysAdmin here uses the Audioengine D1 (via USB) and likes it.

 

[pomjam]

seems to have overwhelminly positive reviews from people. I do wonder if the price is any indication of the quality of the product. My xonar essence stx for example cost about the same as the Audioengine D1. What are your thoughts on this subject?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

BoredSysAdmin here uses the Audioengine D1 (via USB) and likes it.

minor correction, not usb, it's attached from onboard optical out to isolate EMI/RFI (spoiler - it does work as expected)
in retrospect I could probably went with cheaper model, all this high res is just mumbo jumbo anyhow.
This would do pretty much same:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2

as for Asus card - I would be first one to say - I no longer trust internal to pc analogue audio designs - too much chance of RFI/EMI interference. One exception is using external DC to DC psu like Jinjuku here used (and Pro EMU interface), but in most cases just easier to use external audio box

 

[slipperybidness]

minor correction, not usb, it's attached from onboard optical out to isolate EMI/RFI (spoiler - it does work as expected)
in retrospect I could probably went with cheaper model, all this high res is just mumbo jumbo anyhow.
This would do pretty much same:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2

as for Asus card - I would be first one to say - I no longer trust internal to pc analogue audio designs - too much chance of RFI/EMI interference. One exception is using external DC to DC psu like Jinjuku here used (and Pro EMU interface), but in most cases just easier to use external audio box

To the OP, is there something wrong with the Asus Xonar???

Why don't you simply use it as a DAC? If you get an external DAC, then you have little use for such a fancy sound card!!!

BSA--I am in agreement. If you do go with an internal card, then shielding is critical. That Asus Xonar is 1 of only about 3 internal sound cards that I would consider!

I have found that even a cheapy sound card with an optical output sounds much better than any mobo DAC.

 

[pomjam]

To the OP, is there something wrong with the Asus Xonar???

Why don't you simply use it as a DAC? If you get an external DAC, then you have little use for such a fancy sound card!!!

BSA--I am in agreement. If you do go with an internal card, then shielding is critical. That Asus Xonar is 1 of only about 3 internal sound cards that I would consider!

I have found that even a cheapy sound card with an optical output sounds much better than any mobo DAC.

thank you for the insight. There is nothing really wrong with my xonar essence stx, the card works as advertised. Perhaps you are right in only getting an amp, but i do wonder how i'll connect my audioengine a5, the thing has a built in amp i think? As to getting only an amp, what suggestion would you consider for a desktop with my specific card? Also as a possible candidate that i've looked into with my limited knowledge on the subject, what would you say about getting the TEAC HA-501?

 

[slipperybidness]

If the A5 has built in amps, and you have the Xonar, then simply plug the Xonar analog output to the input of the A5, and start listening!!!

In fact, if the A5 are indeed powered speakers (I'm fairly certain that they are), then you CAN'T run them off of an external amp anyway.

Hook them up to that Xonar and see how it sounds to your ears! If it sounds good, then you are done, no extra $ spent. I give it an 85% chance that this is what will happen.

If there is noise or it doesn't sound good, then consider the external DAC. Then it would would be a digi signal (USB, COAX, or Optical) ouput from the zonar to the DAC, and DAC ouputs analog to the A5. Done!

Whatever you do, avoid any onboard audio being output as analog, and you should be fine.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If the A5 has built in amps, and you have the Xonar, then simply plug the Xonar analog output to the input of the A5, and start listening!!!

In fact, if the A5 are indeed powered speakers (I'm fairly certain that they are), then you CAN'T run them off of an external amp anyway.

Hook them up to that Xonar and see how it sounds to your ears! If it sounds good, then you are done, no extra $ spent. I give it an 85% chance that this is what will happen.

If there is noise or it doesn't sound good, then consider the external DAC. Then it would would be a digi signal (USB, COAX, or Optical) ouput from the zonar to the DAC, and DAC ouputs analog to the A5. Done!

Whatever you do, avoid any onboard audio being output as analog, and you should be fine.

A5 are powered, but AFAIK not fully active - aka does not have active crossover and separate amps for each driver, which COULD be beneficial (not always is)

Just to clarify slip point: I agreed, if you don't hear hiss, clicks or any other unwanted noise - stick with your existing sound card. Onboard digital sound out - is A OK (but in most case analog is not)

As for speakers, before A5+ I'd look into checking out JBL LSR305 or 308 at local music store

 

[pomjam]

sadly there are no stores that let you test equipment over here in my obscure little corner in the world. All i have to go by is reviews on what amps to choose, personal expierence from people too. I'm thinking about getting the TEAC HA-501. not sure if anyone has used this amp?

 

[agarwalro]

The Teac is a waste of money for your situation. You'd want to send digital audio to the external DAC otherwise there is no use in having it. Further, since the A5 are powered, you don't need a speaker amp, just a headphones amp.

IMO, since Audioengine is available to you, get the D1, it meets all your needs.

Where are you located, what brands do you have access to?

 

[oqpi]

Hello everyone, i am a newcomer here and would like your input on what equipment i should go for. I am looking to get a dac/amp combo for my desktop, i dont want to spend over a grand so i chose the Sony UDA-1 or the Marantz HD-DAC1 to be candidates as a possible dac/amp setup. Both of these devices have gotten pretty good reception from people, i just dont know which one better suits my needs. I'd hook up my Audioengine A5, my AKG k701 & possibly down the line somewhere the: hd700 or even the hd800.


I can connect these devices either: through my asus xonar stx or straight through the usb or even the computers onboard soundchip 3.5 jack.

There may be other, and better systems out there that i know nothing about, so recommendations outside of the two candidates are also welcome. Thank you for your patience.

I did a fairly thorough research on the exact same subject as you.
The idea is to reach a full scale dynamics and frequency range with an affordable setup.
My research reached to Outlaw RR2150 stereo receiver, that has the USB input and the subwoofer output.
The sub output is also filtered at 60 Hz, 80 Hz and 100 Hz, your choice. That is a very good crossover they got inside.
The amplifier section is very robust, delivering 100 W continuous, per channel, into 8 ohm speakers, or 160 W into 4 ohm speakers.
I use it with RX6 MA speakers, rated at 6 ohms and the sound is really good.
The USB I use mostly for YouTube material and it is CD player comparable, when I got HD video, could be even better.
The subwoofer output is connected to the Outlaw Ultra-X12 Powered Subwoofer (very good sound and 350 W of power!) which takes care of everything under 100 Hz (or 80, or 60) and frees the power from the receiver's amplifier to have nice mids and highs into the floor stand speakers - the sound is really amazing because of that.
In case you decide to go with Outlaw receiver and subwoofer, I also recommend the $99 WYRD (from Schiit Audio) USB decrapifier, which will clean up your USB line, by establishing a perfect 5.00 Vdc voltage. That way the audio digital signal will travel unaltered along the USB line and the receiver's DAC will do the rest (very good DAC by the way too !)
That said, you do not need any external DAC to add.
My setup:
- Tascam C-200 CD player + Laptop with USB out as sources,
- WYRD (Schiit Audio) USB decrapifier in between the PC and Receiver's USB ports,
- Outlaw RR2150 Stereo Receiver (100 W into 8 ohms),
- Monitor Audio RX6 speakers (100 W, 6 ohms, 90 dB/1 W/1 m),
- Outlaw Ultra-X12 powered subwoofer (350 W)
https://picasaweb.google.com/109243130858369011279/BestAudioSystemThatHonestMoneyCanBuy?noredirect=1
I don't want to brag, but I'm an electronic engineer for over 30 years and I own several audio systems, starting 40 years ago.
This system with the Outlaw RR2150 at its core, is the newest I built, as I moved away recently. I still own the other systems at different locations.
I hope that helps.