Hello, I am searching for help upgrading my computer audio setup. I have been happy with my current setup for the last 3 years.
Current Setup
iTunes / internet streaming / CD collection
Dell desktop with Creative SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCIE card
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers
Audio Technica ATH-M50 headphones
Unfortunately, two events have conspired to end my satisfaction with the current setup. The first was the purchase of my first headphones, Audio Technica ATH-M50. These have revealed so much that I have been missing in my music and to a lesser extent my movies. The second and more urgent event was the failure of one of the main speakers. Hence the wife’s agreement for my upgrade opportunity!
I really liked the ProMedia’s, they seemed well balanced and musical. They worked great for both music and movies. I enjoyed them so much I purchased an HD monitor for my computer and it is now my multimedia entertainment setup. Then my thoughts changed after using the M50s. I realized that I was missing a lot of the little details and background sounds in the music and movies. So I would like to build on what the Klipsch’s provided but gain improvements in the areas of output (the ProMedias strained at higher volumes) and in the amount of detail / clarity in reproducing the source (I want to hear the little details that come through my headphones).
I’m new in this area of technical knowledge but have done some research. I want to stay with the 2.1 type setup. I have researched the AudioEngine and Swan speakers and I have been researching other powered speakers. I have also researched subwoofer offerings that I hope will match well with my intended usage. This is what I am currently considering, if you have suggestions or tips, please let me know. Thank you in advance!
Proposed Setup
iTunes / internet streaming / CD collection
NuForce UDAC-2 or HDP USB DAC (bypassing the internal sound card)
AudioEngine A5 or Swan M200 mkIII or ?
HSU STF-2 or Klipsch RW-10d or Emotiva Ultra 10 or 12
The NuForce will give me a better DAC and also provide a headphone amp. I’m looking to get larger bookshelf / monitors that will mate well with a sub and provide better output and clarity. I would like to stay around $1000.
Thoughts?
