Musiland Monitor v. Firewire Solo

Hello everyone.  It’s been quite a bit since I posted here last.

I am going to be getting a new desk here shortly and it has very little space.  As a result I may need to streamline my current office setup and need your help on figuring out the best way to do so.

Currently I have all my music on my computer and that isn’t going to change.  I have it connected to a Harman Kardon 3490 receiver via coaxial.  My computers motherboard does have SPDIF, but the header is broken so it’s not a viable option.  From there I am using a pair of Infinity Primus P162’s as my fronts and that’s my setup.

I am thinking of selling the HK 3490 and going with a nice set of powered monitors, like the KRK Rokit 5’s, 6’s or AudioEngine A5’s.  However I still need to get the audio to them either via RCA or XLR and also need a way to control the volume.

My two options that I see are either a M-Audio Firewire solo or the Musiland Monitor. I would wire the Firewire solo by going firewire to it and then go 1/4" TRS Male to XLR Male for the KRK’s or just good old RCA for the AudioEngine’s.

The Musiland Monitor would be connected via normal RCA’s to either speaker set and obviously via USB to the computer.   I would still need a way to control the volume as from what I understand the software you use for the Musiland Monitor does not allow you to control volume from your computer.

Curious as to which setup would be better for me as well as which unit’s DAC’s are better.

Thanks in advance!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumperSD 

The interface will allow you to use balanced cables. The interface also has volume control. You will have to use your operating system or media player to control your volume with the Musiland 02. You can also get a dedicated volume controller. I forgot what company makes it but it sells for $70-$80.

 

This is my current setup: Audiofile > foobar > wasapi > Musiland 02 (usb) > Dayton Subwoofer (RCA to RCA) > RP5 (RCA to TRS)

 

I use the Windows volume control to adjust the volume. Are you planning to use headphones as well?

What are the pro's/con's to using balanced cables?  I still havent figured that one out yet to be honest.

I do plan on using headphones and while the AudioEngine A5's look decent, I think I like the spec's of the KRK Rokit 6's better, especially since each one has its own built in amp.  So with the KRK's I need a DAC with a headphone input since the KRK's dont have one....

Besides the Firewire solo are there any other DAC's/USB to RCA converters I should be looking at?  Keep in mind I am trying to keep the DAC under 225ish, and the closer to 150 the better.....
 

In doing further looking I am debating the HRT Music Streamer II as well.  Its ~125, is getting some great reviews and I know of someone using it in conjunction with Windows 7 and a set of KRK Rokit 5's and he likes it quite nicely.

He tested the KRK 5's against the AudioEngine A2's (smaller woofers so not sure how realistic it is) and the KRK's won of course.

The HRT Music Streamer also allows you to use Windows 7 to control the volume which some might not like since its before the DAC and they prefer volume control only in the analog domain rather than the digital, but for me it would make like much much simpler.

With the HRT Streamer as well I would probably use a set of SignalCable Analog II RCA's since they dont cost too much and I have always wanted to try em...

Thoughts?