Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Computer Audio › Need help figuring out what the middle man to my system should be.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Need help figuring out what the middle man to my system should be.

post #1 of 12
10/15/11 at 8:21am
Thread Starter 

My current rig:

 

Laptop (will be replaced soon) with neutral sound settings and no audio effects

Audioengine A2 (Subwoofer coming soon)

iPod and iPhone (wireless audio coming soon, maybe a dock)

 

 

My Problem:

 

I'm looking for something that can be the middle man between the speakers and different audio sources (laptop, iphone, whatever). Sorry I'm used to more simple setups (think logitech 2.1) and I don't know what this is called. Also I would like to be able to control the volume from the middle man and tweak the EQ so there is as consistent sound profile as possible from different audio sources. Ideally, the volume control is in a easy to reach location and any audio plugs and cables are hidden.

 

So what is device called? Any links / name drops to some good ones would be helpful.

Reply
post #2 of 12
10/15/11 at 8:30am

You don't need a "middleman" with powered speakers.  But you might want, with your laptop, a dac/headphone combo since that will give you better volume control than from the laptop, it should improve the sound quality, and will hopefully work well with your cans.  There are tons of headphone dac/amp combos.  You might want to check out some of the reviews on this site and elsewhere and figure out what your budget is. 

 

Edit: you might want to check out the Fiio E10 which is a ridiculously good product for under $100.


Edited by alexsj - 10/15/11 at 8:34am
Reply
post #3 of 12
10/15/11 at 8:48am

You should get a extenal dac for the laptop, you need a mixer or pre-amp , behringer do a good line of mixers http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/502.aspx , thats a cheap basic or if you need more http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/1202.aspx , the top of the range with more input etc.

Reply
post #4 of 12
10/15/11 at 9:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alexsj View Post

You don't need a "middleman" with powered speakers.  But you might want, with your laptop, a dac/headphone combo since that will give you better volume control than from the laptop, it should improve the sound quality, and will hopefully work well with your cans.  There are tons of headphone dac/amp combos.  You might want to check out some of the reviews on this site and elsewhere and figure out what your budget is. 

 

Edit: you might want to check out the Fiio E10 which is a ridiculously good product for under $100.



Since I'm using powered speakers, I'm afraid that an amp may damage the speakers. Correct?

Reply
post #5 of 12
10/15/11 at 9:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRG1990 View Post

You should get a extenal dac for the laptop, you need a mixer or pre-amp , behringer do a good line of mixers http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/502.aspx , thats a cheap basic or if you need more http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/1202.aspx , the top of the range with more input etc.



Is there and all in one solution? I have limited space in my apartment.

Reply
post #6 of 12
10/15/11 at 12:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 58impala View Post

Since I'm using powered speakers, I'm afraid that an amp may damage the speakers. Correct?


Get an amp/DAC in one box with an RCA line-out. Technically, your laptop's headphone jack is amped, if that's what you're using to connect the A2s now.

Reply
post #7 of 12
10/15/11 at 2:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 58impala View Post

Since I'm using powered speakers, I'm afraid that an amp may damage the speakers. Correct?



Yes, leaving aside HI's point about the headphone out.  What you need is a headphone amp/dac combo.  You want one with a usb input since that will work with your laptop and an rca out to run to your speakers.  They start at under $100  and go up from there.

Reply
post #8 of 12
10/15/11 at 7:42pm

Laptop > DAC ( with RCA out ) > A2/Sub. I think the FiiO E9/7 combo would do you just right, and it's a great bang for the buck, so I've read.

 

Reply
post #9 of 12
10/16/11 at 6:47am
Thread Starter 

Thanks to all of you on the advice. Now one question reminds is that is there a DAC with an equalizer?

Reply
post #10 of 12
10/16/11 at 7:35pm

Not that I'm aware of, but that isn't saying much . I think any EQing, will be a software thing.

Reply
post #11 of 12
10/23/11 at 6:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by J.Pocalypse View Post

Not that I'm aware of, but that isn't saying much . I think any EQing, will be a software thing.



Mmm.... a DAC + EQ would seem like something that the audiophile demographic would want. No?

Reply
post #12 of 12
10/24/11 at 7:01am

I think the demographic goes for the cleanest signal possible.The fewest bumps between point A ( the source ) and point B ( your ears ) the better. If the source is good, and the speakers/headphones are good, I'm not seeing any reason for and EQ in the mix. 

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Computer Audio
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Computer Audio › Need help figuring out what the middle man to my system should be.