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What's the next step up from the Audioengine A5's - Page 5

post #61 of 75
6/23/10 at 3:03pm
Thread Starter 

Hey guys just wanted to give you all an update on where my system stands.

 

So I received the Audio-GD DAC19-MKIII today in the mail. I didn't realize it was this big! I could fit a friggin family inside it.

 

Anyways, since my Onix's arn't here yet, I decided to hook it up to my dads Luxman and Polk speakers.

 

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!

 

Am I going crazy or did this DAC just kick the crap out of everything that I had heard previously on his system?! I've never heard such detail and soundstage. Norah friggin Jones sounded like she was performing right in front of me. 

 

Is this all placebo or can this DAC influence the masterful Luxman this much? I'm honestly speechless... 

 

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post #62 of 75
6/23/10 at 3:14pm

Always start with the source... sounds like you hit pay-dirt! Congrats. Accustom yourself to the 'new world,' then see where it takes you next. Maybe, you won't need that sub after all! 

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post #63 of 75
6/23/10 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 

I just can't believe it. 

 

The bottom end sure did tighten up on the Polks though. I would say its not as pronounced as before but its way cleaner sounding. I still might need that sub for the little Onix's. 

 

But,

 

Time to get back to the music! This is wonderful. 

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post #64 of 75
6/23/10 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 

Just a little update:

 

I love everything about this DAC. I only have one concern: some tracks are seriously bright and hurt my ears. Is this because of the "garbage in, garbage out" saying? Some tracks sound truly wonderful while some are quite fatiging on my ears. 

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post #65 of 75
6/23/10 at 7:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aiml3ss View Post

Just a little update:

 

I love everything about this DAC. I only have one concern: some tracks are seriously bright and hurt my ears. Is this because of the "garbage in, garbage out" saying? Some tracks sound truly wonderful while some are quite fatiging on my ears. 


I suspect that the bright tracks were produced that way. Try adjusting the toe-in of the speakers, or tilt them back a bit and see if that makes a difference.

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post #66 of 75
6/23/10 at 7:45pm
Thread Starter 

I think your right Dave. I think its entirely dependent on the recording which makes me a bit disappointed in sound engineers and what not. For instance, if you listen to one of John Mayers early albums, the siblance is atrocious. The engineers must of known this because they fixed most of it on his later albums. That might be a silly example but its what I noticed. 

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post #67 of 75
6/23/10 at 9:08pm

There's an SB12-Plus in Oak at SVS B-stock for $549 + shipping. It's a liquidation model which means it's actually brand new and unopened, so I recommend you get it before it's snatched up what with them being discontinued and all. It's definitely one of the best subwoofers for music in the sub-2k range and a bargain at the closeout price. The closest models in performance (sub-$1000) would be used REL or Epik or Rhythmik subwoofers but they'd run you around $700+. At a little over $500 the SB12 would slaughter anything around and under its price for music response.

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post #68 of 75
6/24/10 at 2:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aiml3ss View Post

I think your right Dave. I think its entirely dependent on the recording which makes me a bit disappointed in sound engineers and what not. For instance, if you listen to one of John Mayers early albums, the siblance is atrocious. The engineers must of known this because they fixed most of it on his later albums. That might be a silly example but its what I noticed. 

 

I'm usually disappointed with mixing and mastering engineers. The twin evils of trying to mix for iPod earbuds and brick walling has made a lot of recent albums quite literally unlistenable.

 

Getting back to your decision about integrated amps, this is one area where the Arcam has the edge over the MF. If you have a bright recording that you want to listen to, you can simply dial down the Arcam's treble response for that particular album, and then set it back to flat when you're done listening. With the MF you can use speaker positioning and cabling to try and achieve a balance of response for both good and bad recordings, but there's nothing you can really do to adjust the system for an individual album.

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post #69 of 75
6/24/10 at 4:35am

If you can DIY, I highly recommend the Dynaco ST-35 kit available at Triode Electronics couple with a pair of Tekton 65Ens.  The amp will put out about 17.5WPC, which is more than enough for a pair of efficient full-rangers.  It should set you back $800 to $900 for everything.


Edited by BadassBob - 6/24/10 at 4:36am
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post #70 of 75
6/24/10 at 7:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveBSC View Post

Getting back to your decision about integrated amps, this is one area where the Arcam has the edge over the MF. If you have a bright recording that you want to listen to, you can simply dial down the Arcam's treble response for that particular album, and then set it back to flat when you're done listening. With the MF you can use speaker positioning and cabling to try and achieve a balance of response for both good and bad recordings, but there's nothing you can really do to adjust the system for an individual album.


That is a plus of getting the Arcam. I only noticed the hard brightness when I turned up the volume. At lower levels, the sibliance isn't as bad. Since, the audio-gd dac is very neutral and detailed, i still think the MF A3 would pair great with it since apparently its faily neutrel if not a bit on the warm side which could tone down the harshness in the highs. 

 

 

 

Quote:
There's an SB12-Plus in Oak at SVS B-stock for $549 + shipping. It's a liquidation model which means it's actually brand new and unopened, so I recommend you get it before it's snatched up what with them being discontinued and all. It's definitely one of the best subwoofers for music in the sub-2k range and a bargain at the closeout price. The closest models in performance (sub-$1000) would be used REL or Epik or Rhythmik subwoofers but they'd run you around $700+. At a little over $500 the SB12 would slaughter anything around and under its price for music response.

 

This does seem like a helluva deal. I will look into this model, thanks!

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post #71 of 75
6/25/10 at 3:03pm
Thread Starter 

Update:

 

Just received my Onix's and stands. First thing that hit me was how much bigger these things were then what I originally thought! This, is not a good thing but a plus in my mind.

 

Oh my god the finish on these things are beautiful. Oak or whatever it is is stunning. 

 

Hooked em up to the Luxman and instantly noticed how much everything was much more detailed and had that extra snap.  Even my dad was impressed by these. His words "These sound way better then mine but it doesn't fill the room as much as my Polks". I agree with this statement 100%. Much more forward sounding speakers which I don't mind at all. I feel like theres a band performing in front of me.

 

Overall, very pleased with these speakers. Screw going out and socializing with my friends, tonight its just me and my speakers. 

 

First listen: Outstanding. Couldn't have asked for more. Thanks again Dave! These rock!!

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post #72 of 75
6/5/11 at 8:21am

I read this thread with great interest as I am in the same position as the OP.  I currently have a Logitech 2.1 system and was considering the Audioengine A5s but I want a better sounding more robust system that will allow me to listen to vinyl.  I'm looking to spend about $1,000 total on speakers and an amp (preferably integrated with a phono stage).  This thread had me convinced that the Onix Ref 1 was the way to go but I see that the company is out of business now.  Given that and that fact that this thread hasn't been updated in a year I was wondering what other speaker and amp recommendations people had.

 

I listen to lots of folk/rock/indie guitar music and about 25% hip hop so I'm looking for a system that is versatile.  Much like the OP I'm looking at bookshelf speakers that I will put on stands and could use some recommendations.  My main source right now is my MacBook Pro which feeds into a Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1 DAC.  

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post #73 of 75
1/11/12 at 9:10pm

I am in the same boat. I am looking for something better than the A5's and saw a comparison to the KRK 6's (studio monitors), but after having a discussion with a knowledge friend, he has convinced me that studio monitors will be too analytical and harsh for my liking.

 

I am looking for a 2.0/2.1 system for music and gaming on the PC, so the speakers would not be more than 80cm (31.5") from my head.

 

 

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post #74 of 75
1/14/12 at 3:26am

Ley your own ears do the deciding for you. Studio monitors are the only solution for near-field listening, IMO. Shallow excursion (relative to mid-fields/mains) and wide dispersion are hallmarks of proper near-field designs. I spent a good three months with a pair Dynaudio Focus 110 A speakers on my desk. Compared to my current ARTist 5 + ARTist Sub at roughly 2/3 the cost of the Dyns placed in the exact same location (less the sub)? No comparison in soundstage, imaging and depth. Borrowed a pair of Event Opals from a local studio. Again, no comparison as no amount of fiddling with the shelving filters could bring the Dyns in line with the expansive, enveloping sound of what a near-field could offer within the equilateral confines of a typical desktop setup. Only by moving a few steps back will your expectations of a mid-field be met.   

Quote:
Originally Posted by MdMa View Post

...friend...has convinced me that studio monitors will be too analytical and harsh for my liking. I am looking for a 2.0/2.1 system for music and gaming on the PC, so the speakers would not be more than 80cm (31.5") from my head.

 

 



 


Edited by adamlau - 1/14/12 at 3:39am
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post #75 of 75
1/14/12 at 3:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RainDelay View Post
I listen to lots of folk/rock/indie guitar music and about 25% hip hop so I'm looking for a system that is versatile.  Much like the OP I'm looking at bookshelf speakers that I will put on stands and could use some recommendations.  My main source right now is my MacBook Pro which feeds into a Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1 DAC.  


Hmm rather than bookshelfs on stands why not consider floor standers? 2.0 w/o a sub this could possibly be your best bet L3000.gif

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