I suggest you consider an Audio-GD Compass. I have my TT run through a Cambridge Audio 540P into the Compass' analog input, one computer into the Coax in and one into the Optical in. I use the Audioengine A5's and the S8 sub in my living room and HD 650/595 phones for private listening . The...

Ahem *Compass* cough cough.....

Go to SomaFM: Listener Supported, Commercial Free Internet Radio and listen to the Illinois Street Lounge station. Is that what you're looking for? If so, start there. You could stream the station as there are no commercials. All artists/song title/albums are listed as they play. Hope that helps!

Yeah they're not going to reproduce much below 80 HZ. That's an unavoidable result of the small speaker size used. If you want bass you'll have to add a subwoofer. Channel imbalance at lower volumes can usually be overcome by reducing the output level on your source and increasing the level on...

Sheesh, what a grouch!

I can't comment on the K701s as I've never heard them. I did this same research a couple years ago and bought the HD650s. I am so satisfied with their sound that I have never worried about what I might be missing. In my opinion they are a safe bet for someone just starting out. A safe bet for...

Please, seriously explore the Audio GD Fun! I was pretty much the same as you, looking for a simple solution and good sound. I have the Compass, the predecessor to the Fun and I love it. The sound is as you describe, detailed, tight, accurate and rich without a hint of sibilance. Bonus, it's a...

You might want to take a look at something like this Ion USB Turntable. I believe it comes with everything you need to convert vinyl to mp3. Sell the DAC on Head-FI if you don't have a use for it.

You should take a look at the Audio GD Fun here. I have the Compass and love it. The Fun is an upgrade to the Compass. It sounds great, its flexible, has fantastic build quality and is right in your price range.

Entry-level: 202 ----------- Alien (1) AOL Picollo DAC (1) Apogee Duet (3) Asus Essence STX (4) Audio-gd Compass (18) Audio-gd Compass - FUN (2) Bantam (1) Behringer DEQ2496 (2) Behringer SRC2496 (1) Beresford TC-7510 (2) Beresford TC-7520 (4) Beresford TC-7520 SE (Caiman) (2)...

Well I ordered the A5s but no sub yet. I figured I'd take advantage of the 30 day trial and see how they do with the Compass.

Might I suggest you explore improvements in your source first? Any decent amp is only going to amplify the volume of your source, not change its sonics. Rip cds to a lossless file, not MP3. Use ASIO/WASAPI/Kernel Streaming. Use SPDIF out to a good quality external DAC. In your situation, I think...

I can't comment on the MKV as I've never heard one, but I love my Compass with the 650's! I'd only been using a Heed Canamp being fed analog by an Audigy 2ZS before. Switching to the Compass was an amazing revelation. Mellow, transparent, detailed and drives the 650's with authority. Sadly Audio...

Ok, let's say someone (me) is looking at upgrading my Audio GD Compass to the Dac 19 DSP/C2 combo along with upgrading my AV40's to the Audioengine A5/AS8 sub. If I wanted to stay with active speakers in a small computer as transport desktop setup, what better options would I have? Bear in mind...

Best I could do is this picture: Audio-gd in a zero dac image by miitkey on Photobucket Note the position of the ground wire from the OPA. This should clue you as to the orientation. I don't own a Zero so I can only hope this is right.