[kiranjoshi7]

Hi friends,
I have I3 2100 3.1GHz CPU
Gigabyte GA H61MD2 B3 MoBo
Sapphire 6850GPU
Windows 7
Need good quality 2.0 PC audio system
 I have short listed two speakers :
1. Swan D1080 IV
2. Swan 200MK II (Little high cost for me for sure)
Does addition of external sound card like Asus xonar U7/U5 make difference in SQ?
Is this sound card necessary for above both speakers or only D1080?
Should I use good DAC or /good amplifier or /both with above speakers?
Regards,

 

[Drago76]

not a bad system, except two crappy things: gigabyte & microsoft
as a progressive human, you must use Asus and Linux

 

[kiranjoshi7]

Kindly guide me on issue of DAC and Amplifier please

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Hi friends,
I have I3 2100 3.1GHz CPU
Gigabyte GA H61MD2 B3 MoBo
Sapphire 6850GPU
Windows 7
Need good quality 2.0 PC audio system
 I have short listed two speakers :
1. Swan D1080 IV
2. Swan 200MK II (Little high cost for me for sure)
Does addition of external sound card like Asus xonar U7/U5 make difference in SQ?
Is this sound card necessary for above both speakers or only D1080?
Should I use good DAC or /good amplifier or /both with above speakers?
Regards,

 
It would help to know an over all budget for your audio setup?
 
The speakers your looking into are self-powered studio monitors, so not need for getting a separate speaker amplifier.
 
If all your doing is a 2.0 speaker setup (and no headphones), then you should be able to get away with an external DAC (USB or optical).
An external sound card is an external DAC, but with more features, but you might not have any real need for those features.
 
Here are some assorted DACs.
I would assume the ones from $30 to $60 would be a good value, for the audio quality provided.
https://hifimediy.com/DACs/ready-made-dacs?sort=p.price&order=ASC&limit=75
 
Here is a Schiit Modi DAC ($99), comes with USB or optical input.
http://schiit.com/products/modi-2
 
FiiO E10K, USB/DAC ($75), with a separate headphone amplifier output.
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2
 
I like my Monoprice 5' studio monitors, $170
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=115&cp_id=11504&cs_id=1150401&p_id=605500&seq=1&format=2

 

[kiranjoshi7]

Thanks a lot.
My budget is around 300USD.
What I understood is:
*Both swan speakers (MKII and D1080) are active, so no need of additional amp for the same.
*External sound car would be beneficial (shall choose one from you suggested).
Is there any portable DAC/amp which I can use with both fiio x1 (when on move) and desktop PC at home?
Will there be any conflict between in built amp of above speakers and external sound card amp?
Regards,

 

[kiranjoshi7]

hello,

I am asking bit silly questions as I am not in to audio set up.

 *Hows this speaker? Bose Companion™ 2 Series III multimedia speaker system.  I found it little inexpensive and compact.

 ​*Will this speaker benefit from external USB DAC?
 Regards,

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks a lot.
My budget is around 300USD.
What I understood is:
*Both swan speakers (MKII and D1080) are active, so no need of additional amp for the same.
*External sound car would be beneficial (shall choose one from you suggested).
Is there any portable DAC/amp which I can use with both fiio x1 (when on move) and desktop PC at home?
Will there be any conflict between in built amp of above speakers and external sound card amp?
Regards,

 
You might be better off buying some thing with a DAC feature, like a sound card or USB DAC, for use with the speakers.
Stoner Acoustic OD120 or a Hifimediy external DAC?
 
and something separate that you could use with the Fidelio X1's, for on the move (FiiO E11K amp?)

 

[kiranjoshi7]

thanks a lot

 

[kiranjoshi7]

hi,

How is this?

Audioengine A2+ Premium Powered Desktop Speakers

 
[size=14.3999996185303px]I have read good reviews about it. It consists of its own DAC chip too, so probably we dont have to add external DAC.[/size]
[size=14.3999996185303px]Whats opinion of experts?[/size]
[size=14.3999996185303px]Regards,[/size]

 

[PurpleAngel]

 

hi,

How is this?

Audioengine A2+ Premium Powered Desktop Speakers

 
[size=14.3999996185303px]I have read good reviews about it. It consists of its own DAC chip too, so probably we don't have to add external DAC.[/size]
[size=14.3999996185303px]Whats opinion of experts?[/size]
[size=14.3999996185303px]Regards,[/size]

 
Not as good a bass as a 5" studio monitor.
But if your just want small studio monitors and you can find the A2+s at a good price, then go for it.

 

[kiranjoshi7]

   
Not as good a bass as a 5" studio monitor.
But if your just want small studio monitors and you can find the A2+s at a good price, then go for it.

hi, thanks a lot.
In India price of AE A2+ is almost 300USD, but we have very little choice here.
I dont want to play it very loud, room to fill sound is small. I like clear, natural sound. 
Then, which is better:
AE A2+ OR Swan D1080? Former are almost 100USD costly here than Swan's.
regards,
 

 

[KT66]

I think the Audioengine stuff is really good, loved my D1.
If you want a bigger sound then the best way is USB dac - line out - into Integrated
Amp, into passive speakers.
This can be done on a shoestring budget, especially if
you buy the amp and speakers second hand, but for now Audioengine will do a grand job.

 

[kiranjoshi7]

  I think the Audioengine stuff is really good, loved my D1.
If you want a bigger sound then the best way is USB dac - line out - into Integrated
Amp, into passive speakers.
This can be done on a shoestring budget, especially if
you buy the amp and speakers second hand, but for now Audioengine will do a grand job.

Thanks a lot.
I think AE will do for me.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Hi, thanks a lot.
In India price of AE A2+ is almost 300USD, but we have very little choice here.
I don't want to play it very loud, room to fill sound is small. I like clear, natural sound. 
Then, which is better:
AE A2+ OR Swan D1080? Former are almost 100USD costly here than Swan's.
regards,

 
I've never listened to these speakers, so I have no idea on how they compare.
I just know the A2/A2+'s small 3" woofer is not as good for bass as a 5"woofer.

 

[kiranjoshi7]

   
I've never listened to these speakers, so I have no idea on how they compare.
I just know the A2/A2+'s small 3" woofer is not as good for bass as a 5"woofer.

Oh, I dont think I will get an opportunity to listen to it.
Any user experience?
Regards,