Upgrading DAC, headphones, and speakers

Currently on AKG K 272 HD with FiiO E7, speakers Audio Pro Addon One (Audioengine A2 is a very close match) and Tangent EVO E8 subwoofer.

 

Not happy with the FiiO (it starts buzzing and distorting when I fire up Spotify or any flash based application under Linux Mint and Windows Vista and 7, not going to RMA too much hassle).

    DAC/amp candidates:

-   Maverick D1 TubeMagic (most likely this one, although they don't disclose the DAC chip which annoys me, but I trust a boatload of reviews)
-   Bereford Caiman (no analog input which I'd really fancy)
 

The speakers were meek and lacked authority. For modest loudness they were good, but I was left craving. The sound was constipated even with the aid of a subwoofer. I'm replacing them with 5" or preferably 8" woofer ones to gain some in the dynamics. NO subwoofer as of now, 2.0 please!

     Speaker candidates:

     Active:

-   Mackie MR8 MKII (my go-to "no compromise" solution, heard about their good rep. 3 year warranty

-   M-Audio Studiophile Bx8a (heard about bad QC, looks nifty and I could get them from a store 2 miles away)

-   Behringer B3031A (new model, earlier model sounds muddy but powerful, also earlier products have bad rep.)

-   ESI NEAR08 Experience (looks cheap, seems flimsy, but heard good things).

-   Prodipe Pro 8 Ribbon (don't know European reputable sales for them)

-   Yamaha HS50M

 

I decided I won't upgrade the headphones just yet, concentrating on the speaker issue and DAC/amp to see if the AKG K 272 HD improves from the FiiO E7.

Edited by pocketrocket - 3/16/11 at 2:39am

Thanks for the input and list of passives! Yeah I have a cheap Kenwood 5.1 amplifier and an Onkyo 7.1 HDMI receiver, I might just try those instead of trying to be hi-fi. And the monitors you listed are quite efficient mostly, in the 85-90dB/1W @ 1m ballpark, so the Nuforce Icon 2 would suffice I think because even though I complain about dynamics I don't usually "crank it up" and try to rupture my eardrums. I'd just like the Icon-2 because I wouldn't have to be concerned over my DAC -> amp cables and would have one less volume knob to mis-adjust.

But the B3031A actives and uDAC-2 would be the cheapest 8" solution, Mackie MR5 MKII would be ten euros cheaper but smaller, and the ribbon tweeter looks cool (although most likely being gimmick for such a cheap price)

Seeing that I'm considering remotely low class speakers and amps at the moment, would you think the uDAC-2 or Audio Gd Fun will last me a good while? The Fun looks really FUN by the way.

I listed studio monitors because I assumed it would be the easiest way to go for accurate and neutral playback of all material. I know they're not meant to be "entertaining" or have "oomph", but I'm not looking for "oomph" per se, just a more powerful sound that doesn't sound like the woofers are on their limits all the time.

I loaned a pair of Fostex PM.05 active monitors from my work and put them besides the Audio Pro Addon Ones, and I really enjoyed the sound in comparison to the Audio Pros. The speakers were running in an effortless manner unlike the Audio Pros. I figured they sound good, so why not get monitors? I can't be the only one who wants/has monitors for entertainment use.

Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 would be a well sized and affordable "hi-fi" option, Monitor Audio BX2 would be a tad more expensive but looks very spiffy and I've heard a lot good about them too. Other hi-fi brands I couldn't audition and although there are differences in monitors, I'd feel a bit more secure about blindly ordering monitors as opposed to hi-fi speakers on the internet without audition (although I'm quite confident that anything is an upgrade from these speakers, rudely put). Also I'd have the Onkyo 7.1 HDMI receiver that should work as a decent DAC and an amp with my computer until I decide to get an external DAC if ever.

Someone hammer sense into me, I know I have skewed standards etc. but I'm desperate and options are quite limited in Finland, most hi-fi stores scoff at brands like Fostex, Behringer, M-Audio, Alto, and just about ANYTHING under 600€ a pair they don't happen to be overstocking at the moment someone asks.
Edited by pocketrocket - 3/1/11 at 8:55am

Thank you whatisaname! Have you tested the Yamahas with a worse source than uDAC-2? I'm really interested in a honest opinion, most people seem to glorify all DACs in comparison to the old ones when they first buy them.

 

Now that you remind me I've been recommended the Yamahas earlier, heard good things. Also good to hear you liked B3031A, a local electronics magazine just reviewed B2031 and said it's loud and big alright, but lacks definition and upper midrange clarity :(

EDIT: Added Pro-Ject DAC to the DAC list, adding Yamahas now.

Edited by pocketrocket - 3/1/11 at 12:39pm

Sounds really good, thanks man!

I'm now contemplating more seriously about uDAC, two quality RCA -> TRS mono cables, and the Yamahas or Behringer B3031A's..
The second option is the motherboards S/PDIF out to the Onkyo + Wharfedale or Monitor Audio or any other accessible brand. (This would leave me with a huge amount of cash to spend on the speakers alone, especially if I ditch the headphone upgrade..) AH THE OPTIONS, I love it!

I think I'll dust my fathers Tannoy F1 speakers and give them a run, see if I could get along with them although I don't like them too much for some reason. Doesn't feel right being a bum either, I want my own stuff!
Edited by pocketrocket - 3/1/11 at 1:20pm

Didn't mean TRS -> RCA, meant, TS -> RCA, like this one (that's the precise model I was thinking actually). Most active speakers take both unbalanced and balanced into TRS sockets, no? I know I'm missing the benefit of having stronger signal, but does that matter with such a short cable and a good quality line out? I wouldn't be too enthusiast about spending more money towards a balanced DAC.

Do say if I'm missing something, never studied balanced stuff and you're a great help, you always reply to my retarded threads <3

Edited by pocketrocket - 3/1/11 at 2:01pm

Sorry I just edited my reply, but isn't the Cordial cable in the link unbalanced all the way? So that'd be actually decent with it. The EMU 0404 would be just 50€ more though, and it'd have a mic-in. That'd surely be quite impressive, to have a balanced set-up..

Then again a DACmagic is just 150€ more haha.

Also while you're here, do those 4x 10" bass cabinets actually work for dubstep and other bassy music, if as nothing else then subwoofers?

Edited by pocketrocket - 3/1/11 at 2:11pm

Bumping with my current plans.

-  Nuforce uDAC-2

-  pair of Behringer B3031A actives

-  pair of spiffy looking Cordial RCA to TS cables in 1,5m flavour (Neutric/Rean-Stecker connectors, sounds neat and it's cheap/good looking so why not, don't really believe in cables other than insulation)
-  AKG K 601

After selling my current crap I'll have to shell out 310€ for all of this, sounds awesome to me :3

If you're going to suggest another DAC, I'd prefer S/PDIF over USB, and I'd like it to be a headphone amp too. I have an Indeed G2 with a Philips Miniwatt if things have to be powered lots so that's not an issue, but I'd like the convenience of a DAC/amp.