Feeding digital music to speakers for good Hi-Fi sound

[Roger Skullestad]

I plan for a system running Dali Rubicon 8 for fronts, 1-2 subs, center and surround speakers. I might only use the fronts for stereo music - I'll still have to try it compared to 2.2 or even surround.. I will likely use a Denon AVR-X5200W for surround with a NAD C375 to run the Rubicon 8's (fronts).

My question is: I'm likely to use Spotify / Tidal and Flac files as my music-sources - Not CD's or LP's. What is the best way to feed this from the services or computer - and to the speakers?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

hdmi cable from computer to denon avr, optical is 2nd best option.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, I would use HDMI from PC to AVR.

But I usually stream wirelessly from my iPad to my AirPlay (on AVR).

 

[Roger Skullestad]

yeah I was thinking to maybe stream also, I often use an ipad for spotify. so I dont have to have a dedicated DAC or so for it. Why use hdmi for stereo music btw? as compared to regular jack or other audio cables.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

yeah I was thinking to maybe stream also, I often use an ipad for spotify. so I dont have to have a dedicated DAC or so for it. Why use hdmi for stereo music btw? as compared to regular jack or other audio cables.

HDMI is more robust and more convenient (only need 1 cable for video and audio).

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

for stereo only AirPlay is ok as it is losslessly compressed, but it's only one possible use, hdmi interface is more robust and essentially supports all possible audio streams (even sometimes a SACD DSD with right source and processor)

 

[Roger Skullestad]

HDMI is more robust and more convenient (only need 1 cable for video and audio).

yes for video that's good - but was thinking when I only want to stream audio without video.
but good to know Hdmi is good for it in any case.
What does people then use DAC for usualy?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

yes for video that's good - but was thinking when I only want to stream audio without video.
but good to know Hdmi is good for it in any case.
What does people then use DAC for usualy?

*uses Jedi mind trick* these are NOT the DACs you're looking for
Seriously - you don't need DAC - your AVR is all the DAC you'll ever need

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What do people use DAC for ?

IMO, to waste money.

IMO, don't waste money on DAC and speaker cables.

 

[slipperybidness]

What does people then use DAC for usualy?

A separate / standalone DAC? Usually because they don't know any better.

DACs are useful in a few situations.

*You have an old-school, 2 channel analog setup and you want to add a computer source or something similar

*The DACs in your computer chassis aren't up to snuff or are too noisy (and you don't have a DAC in your pre-amp already)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you have the Denon X5200 or X4200, you definitely should NOT buy an external DAC.

 

[Roger Skullestad]

Ok, thanks a lot
So something like http://www.argonaudio.com/2014/08/27/argon-stream-2-the-perfect-streaming-upgrade-for-your-hi-fi-system/ is not needed at all when I get the AVR
Thanks, thats money easy saved

And by not spending money on speaker cables we talk.. how little per m? I mean - they should not be spaghetti either right?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

get an equivalent of 12AWG wire and decent banana style plugs
If you like fancy cable looks (and good quality) at reasonable prices, get your finished wires from https://www.bluejeanscable.com/

 

[Roger Skullestad]

Ok, thanks a lot
Does the same AWG count both for front speakers (2-3 meters span) and back speakers? (7-10 meters span)?

 

[Roger Skullestad]

Oh - and what about cable for subwoofers? what sort should that be if any different?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Ok, thanks a lot
Does the same AWG count both for front speakers (2-3 meters span) and back speakers? (7-10 meters span)?

yes, if you want for shorter runs use a bit thinner 14AWG cables it would fine, but honestly the difference are minimal in every sense

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Oh - and what about cable for subwoofers? what sort should that be if any different?

yes, sub cable should shielded/coax RCA cable - again doesn't have to be expensive. Over here we have excellent and very cheap monoprice stuff like this :
https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023601&p_id=621&seq=1&format=2

RG59 type cable is fine for this purpose upto 100 meters or so. Longer than that you'd probably want to by thinker RG6 cable

 

[Roger Skullestad]

How do I see the diameter of it? So I can compare it to the cables in my local Hifi store