An amplifier with DAC, 4 channels and sub woofer out

[paulson07]

Hopefully that makes sense.

What i'm trying to do: connect two speakers (and two more in the future) with a LFE out, with a remote, and to be able to plug it into my laptop via USB.

These are the speakers I bought: http://audioenginefiles.com/pdfs/P4-One-Sheet_V05.jpg

Would I be better off having a separate DAC? I would like one built in for convenience.

If I connected four speakers to this, would I loose significant quality?
Topping TP32 Class T Digital Amp with USB and Remote 15WPC 310-316

Thanks!

 

[Grador]

Why do you want to connect 4 speakers for stereo?

Regardless of the answer to that question, I think a receiver would probably suit you best especially if you laptop has HDMI.

 

[paulson07]

Mostly for music. I'm looking for the best quality with my options. My laptop does have HDMI. From my understanding the DAC increases the quality quite a bit versus plugging it in through the headphone jack.

 

[Grador]

That still doesn't answer why 4 instead of two.

Yes a DAC will most likely provide a noticeable increase in sound quality, plugging the laptop in via HDMI to a receiver will use the receivers DAC, so you would get that advantage and have only one piece of equipment to deal with.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

What would be your end goal ?? 5.1 ? 4.1 ? Like Grador said, in ether case and even for 2.1 you need a surround receiver. Which one exactly - depends on your speakers choices

 

[bikemig]

If you want to connect your laptop via usb, this unit from teac amp/dac will do what you are looking for Amazon.com: Teac AH01-S Stereo Amplifier with D/A Converter: Electronics

This runs $400. The audioengine N-22 amp is quite good and it runs $200; you could then add a usb dac like the HRT music streamer. The N-22 takes up very little room and it's nice unit. I'm listening to it right now and a pair of P-4 speakers.

Personally, I'd get the Teac unit based on the specs.

 

[paulson07]

What would be the best 5.1 receiver for your buck? Any recommendations.

 

[bikemig]

I don't know of any av receiver offhand that has a usb input for your computer but it will have an HDMI if that's what you prefer. If you want to keep the cost down to around $200 (which is the price of the tripath unit in your original post), I'd hunt around for a refurbished av receiver (they come with a manufacturer's warranty) from accessories4less: Accessories4less: High End Audio at Low End Prices!