Connecting to a computer, buying new gear...

[Moon Man]

So I was a good boy this year and got a pair of Polk Lsim 703's for Christmas. I didn't ask for speakers but boy do I love these!

I have about 35 hours of Cambridge audios break in playlist on Spotify so they are starting to "break in" a bit I hope. They do sound nicer now.

My setup:

• Pair of 703's, not biamped or anything
• Denon AVR-2106, has a decent 100w per channel, a relic from the days before HDMI receivers.
• FiiO E10k USB headphone amp and DAC. I am using the coax digital out on the back.
• 30" sanus stands. Filled both tubes with sand per forum. Blue tack and rubber feet because of the hardwood floors
• 14 AWG speaker wire
• Headphone out of my MacBook as one input
• 25 foot coaxial digital cable (mediabridge) as the other input.

So this sounds really great using the DAC sent to the denon, and playing FLAC files on "pure direct". But I fear I am doing something wrong, or not being as right as possible.

This will likely remain as my office system. My questions:

1. Should I buy a monobloc style amp?
2. Should I buy a better or dedicated DAC?
3. Am I screwing things up with my DAC by not converting to analog? Maybe I should connect the headphone cable instead of the coax out???
4. What is my DAC really doing for me in this case? It sounds better than my headphone out on my Mac, is it just "smarter" at decoding audio?
5. If I keep the speakers and the laptop, but consider replacing or upgrading all the rest what's SHOULD the rest of my setup be for digital listening?
6. Optional: any subs you recommend? My pops has a 15" closed down firing rythmik that he loves and I am jealous of. Anything that sounds like that under 1k? Probably a separate thread.

Don't get me wrong. This sound is amazing and light years better than anything I have had in the past, I just want to know if I am doing everything right. Just a newbie to high end gear!

If I replace components I would look to buy something high end but used. And would be willing to search for a year.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

1. No
2. No
3. You macbook headphone out is also digital optical out with right cable. You might want to attach it this way directly to denon, bypassing Fiio dac all together.
4. Changing the level of output may be perceived as "better". Could also be just a placebo
5. Sub?
6. http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/uls-15mk2.html

 

[Moon Man]

1. No
2. No
3. You macbook headphone out is also digital optical out with right cable. You might want to attach it this way directly to denon, bypassing Fiio dac all together.
4. Changing the level of output may be perceived as "better". Could also be just a placebo
5. Sub?
6. http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/uls-15mk2.html

Thanks!!!

I need 25 feet but monoprice has the cable for 5 bucks. I will give it a shot.

Is that HSU a good deal better than this Rythmik? It's around the same price and I really like the piano black and lack of grille.

http://www.rythmikaudio.com/D15SE.html

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I can't find any actual measurements (manufacturer's provided graph is not very useful) of D15SE, but by all means - Rythmic's Servo subs are among most accurate and well behaved (very low distortion) subs out there, but my gut feeling is telling me that ULS15 mk2 is more powerful and would be easier to integrate with small speakers (ie: weaker bass smaller bookshelves)
If you like downfiring and piano finish - you can't go wrong with rythmic sub.

 

[Moon Man]

I can't find any actual measurements (manufacturer's provided graph is not very useful) of D15SE, but by all means - Rythmic's Servo subs are among most accurate and well behaved (very low distortion) subs out there, but my gut feeling is telling me that ULS15 mk2 is more powerful and would be easier to integrate with small speakers (ie: weaker bass smaller bookshelves)
If you like downfiring and piano finish - you can't go wrong with rythmic sub.

IIRC Sealed is generally better for music but ported can get much louder right?

I cant decide where this system will end up. But I do want to have a nice 2ch and sub musical setup in my office at all times. So let's say I save the big sub for the home theater and go ported there with one of the aforementioned options. Is there anything in the sub 500 range I could consider for just a bit more thump? I would be willing to DIY and have a full workshop with all the major woodworking tools. I could do the piano black myself...