Small 2-channel rig build...

[bigred7078]

hey all,

I was thinking about possibly building up a small 2-channel system this summer for the bedroom.

Here is what i was thinking about so far....

-Emotiva UPA-2
-laptop + dac
-Vienna Acoustic Haydn Grands
-Lovan Affiniti Stands

I'm just kind of tossing this around so i'm open to suggestions if you have any

Let me know what ideas you have and what not.


I'm really toying with the idea of using laptop as the source + dac(my laptop only has a headphone output does this cause any problems or do i just need to find a usb dac???)...I would be using all my music stored on iTunes in apple lossless as my source. This is actually a cool idea though because i can use my iTouch as a remote control for iTunes and i can sit back and enjoy without having to get up....hmmm
^i like this idea the best now that i think about it...

Any thoughts on this? Or does anyone have a DAC recommendation for me that i could use in this situation?...good or bad idea?

 

[skers_54]

That set-up should work fine. It could be tricky to integrate a sub if you want more low end later without adding more components though. I'd recommend a USB sound card. My old laptop had really bad sound. My new one's headphone outs are better but not as good as the digital out.

P.S. Go Huskers!

 

[bigred7078]

That set-up should work fine. It could be tricky to integrate a sub if you want more low end later without adding more components though. I'd recommend a USB sound card. My old laptop had really bad sound. My new one's headphone outs are better but not as good as the digital out.

P.S. Go Huskers!

yeah im not looking to add a sub. Its not my main system, mostly just a secondary setup for my "office".

Will the current usb's on my laptop support a usb dac? or do i need to specifically get a usb soundcard?


P.S.- Go Tigers!!!!

 

[skers_54]

yeah im not looking to add a sub. Its not my main system, mostly just a secondary setup for my "office".

Will the current usb's on my laptop support a usb dac? or do i need to specifically get a usb soundcard?


P.S.- Go Tigers!!!!

A usb dac or soundcard should work with pretty much any laptop as long as it has the appropriate drivers, which usually come with the device. I think the biggest difference between a dac and sound card is that the sound card will probably have a digital output, which you won't use. Most dac's perform very similarly so you don't need to get a really expensive one.

Controlling your setup with your ipod would be really nice. Too bad cool things cost $$$ (which I always seem to run out of) .

 

[bigred7078]

A usb dac or soundcard should work with pretty much any laptop as long as it has the appropriate drivers, which usually come with the device. I think the biggest difference between a dac and sound card is that the sound card will probably have a digital output, which you won't use. Most dac's perform very similarly so you don't need to get a really expensive one.

Controlling your setup with your ipod would be really nice. Too bad cool things cost $$$ (which I always seem to run out of) .

i think i will just stick with a DAC, it will be more versatile for me.