$500 - $750 USD Budget: OS X

[feverfive]

My home computer is a15" Macbook Pro, 2.16GHz Core2Duo, 2GB RAM running Leopard. I currently use Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system simply connected directly to the MBP audio/headphone out. I am really interested in upgrading. I figure a place to start would be a good external amp & non-computer speakers. I'm wondering whether anyone can give me some pointers on where to start. Do I need a digital audio converter? What amp? Do I have to use an external soundcard; if so, is there such a thing as a soundcard that I could connect via expresscard? Can I go simply MBP [via optical out]>amp/DAC/receiver (is that necessary?)>powered sub>speakers?

I do not play games, so this would only be for music & occasionally watching movies, but I do want to stick w/ a 2.1 set-up. I do not need equipment to record my own music (I am no musician). I'd like advice on mostly an external amp/DAC & 2.1 speakers. I do want a sub.

My musical tastes are relatively eclectic. About the only genre I don't lsiten to is Country, and very seldomly listen to classical. I mostly listen to jazz, blues & rock. Any pointers (especially w/ specific products) would be appreciated....

 

[teich]

I don't have extensive experience, only with my setup, but it's good for me so far.

NHT M-00 for speakers. Sub is optional. Good deal online at listenup.
Fubar III for DAC, Pico or Duet if you're willing to spend a bit more.

You can check out my post a few back comparing the Fubar and others, or my blog in my signature.

 

[Uncle Erik]

You might be interested in the PreSonus Central Station. I think they retail around $500, but I've seen refurbs and sales for $400. I had one for over a year and loved it* and think that it's a terrific DAC, headphone amp and a preamp, as well. Add a power amp and speakers, and you'd have a nice setup.


* I was entirely set up with computer-as-source running through the CS. Then my Dad's computer died, so I gave him the music server to get back on line. Around that time, I picked up a SACD player, then got sucked into vinyl. Before I knew it, the CS had languished for months, so I sold it. Nothing wrong with the CS, it's just that the big black discs won't leave me alone.

 

[jet87]

Since you have a Mac, I'd suggest looking at the Apogee Duet. The reviews of it I've seen here look really positive. For $500, it seems like a great deal. Then again, it might be a little too much since you'd also need an amplifier, and it sounds like you also want new speakers. And...

Welcome to Head-Fi! Sorry about your wallet.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jet87 /img/forum/go_quote.gif it might be a little too much since you'd also need an amplifier

Why would there be an additional requirement for an amplifier?

 

[jet87]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaska /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why would there be an additional requirement for an amplifier?

I've re-read the OP a few times. I'm not sure if the poster wants a new amplifier for their equipment. Actually, I'm trying to figure out what exactly feverfive wants: just a DAC & AMP, or new speakers and the like.

 

[majid]

If I am understanding the requirements right, you want an entirely new system including speakers, amp and source. That's a tall order for the budget you are mentioning. The best bet would be a home theater in a box (like this NAD combo from AudioAdvisor) connected to the MBP using an optical digital cable, but consider also the B&W Zeppelin.

 

[feverfive]

Quote:

Originally Posted by majid /img/forum/go_quote.gif If I am understanding the requirements right, you want an entirely new system including speakers, amp and source. That's a tall order for the budget you are mentioning. The best bet would be a home theater in a box (like this NAD combo from AudioAdvisor) connected to the MBP using an optical digital cable, but consider also the B&W Zeppelin.

Yeah, you're understanding is correct, & it does occur to me I'll have to increase my budget. I can afford to do it, I was just hoping to get by w/out spending more than ~$750. One thing I'm considering is get a pair of AudioEngine A5's, try them out directly to my MBP & see how I like the sound (i.e. sans external amp/DAC/receiver). I'm gonna have to re-think what I want to do here... Thanks for all the replies.

 

[dgbiker1]

You can replace the satellite speakers on your 2.1 with bookshelf speakers and it will make a big difference. I hooked up Polk bookshelf speakers to the Promedia 2.1 sub/amplifier and the sound difference is amazing. That will save you some money to spend on a better DAC

I'm hoping to get an Apogee Duet myself.

 

[feverfive]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgbiker1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif You can replace the satellite speakers on your 2.1 with bookshelf speakers and it will make a big difference. I hooked up Polk bookshelf speakers to the Promedia 2.1 sub/amplifier and the sound difference is amazing. That will save you some money to spend on a better DAC I'm hoping to get an Apogee Duet myself.

O.K. Here's where my noobness will clearly come out: I can get a pair of passive (un-powered) satellites & hook them to my present Klipsch sub, then get a DAC as well... How do I connect the sub out (which is only a 3.5mm Toslink--it currently connects directly to my MBP audio/optical headphone out) to the DAC? Would the DAC have in input for a Toslink connection?

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

How about a good chinese DAC like the Zero -> tripath based amp like the t-amp -> speakers of your choice.

Don't get a sub that's too large for your room, else it will sound boomy. If you're going to set up the system in your bedroom/study, check out the sub I have for sale in my sig, it's perfect for your needs.

 

[feverfive]

Well, I just ordered the AudioEngine A5's direct from their website (I found a coupon code that saved me $34, so I'm getting these shipped at $314USD). I figure I'll try these out as a guy in my office already offered to buy them from me in a month or two if I decide I need/want to upgrade. I'll try these direct to my Macbook Pro, and re-examine the need for a DAC later on... I've had a hard time trying to figure out whether I need/want a DAC & which particular one I should get since I don't really need anything super high-end (I won't be recording anything). I have a feeling I'll ultimately end up going the route of amp, DAC, sub & satellites (passive) at some point soon. Guess I'll use my Klipsch ProMedias in my office at work for a while. Thanks again for all the responses.

 

[dgbiker1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by feverfive /img/forum/go_quote.gif O.K. Here's where my noobness will clearly come out: I can get a pair of passive (un-powered) satellites & hook them to my present Klipsch sub, then get a DAC as well... How do I connect the sub out (which is only a 3.5mm Toslink--it currently connects directly to my MBP audio/optical headphone out) to the DAC? Would the DAC have in input for a Toslink connection?

Are you sure you have the Promedia 2.1? That doesn't have a Toslink optical connection (TOSLINK - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), only a 3.5mm jack. I know it gets confusing with the MB and MBP since they have both connections on the one headphone port (it senses whether you connected a 3.5mm stereo jack or optical cable). My guess is you have the PM 2.1 w/ a 3.5mm jack.

Your connection will pretty much be: MBP-->DAC-->Promedia 2.1/A5

In this case the Promedia has a built-in amplifier, so you don't need a separate amp. In the future if you upgrade to an amp/receiver you will want to stick an amp between the DAC and speakers.

Right now with your MBP going directly to the speakers your MBP is acting like a DAC and amp, and the Promedia is a second amp and speakers- note that you have one redundant amplifier in there mucking things up. A separate DAC will allow you to bypass the sound processing and amp on the MBP to give you cleaner sound. For your MBP look for a DAC that has either a USB or Optical (TOSLINK) connection- I've had better luck with optical on my MB since you don't have drivers affecting the sound and optical DACS are usually cheaper.

Where things get weird is that you plug the optical cable into the same jack that you plug your headphones in, but the signal is completely different. The regular headphone jack will give you the amplified analog electrical that drives the headphones/speakers. The optical connection gives you a binary digital signal (0s and 1s)- this is the signal that your DAC decodes and turns into the analog signal that you feed to your speakers. The DAC output is slightly different from the headphone signal from your MBP in that the MBP signal is amplified, but the DAC signal is at "Line-Level"- basically a clean signal with no amplification/volume adjustment.

Hope that helps/doesn't confuse too much!

 

[Hopstretch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by feverfive /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I just ordered the AudioEngine A5's direct from their website (I found a coupon code that saved me $34, so I'm getting these shipped at $314USD). I figure I'll try these out as a guy in my office already offered to buy them from me in a month or two if I decide I need/want to upgrade.

I doubt you'll be disappointed. I have the smaller A2s and they are superb. One of the best values around. Add the previously-recommended Duet later and you'll have a desktop system that would be hard to beat at 3x the price.

 

[feverfive]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgbiker1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are you sure you have the Promedia 2.1? That doesn't have a Toslink optical connection (TOSLINK - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), only a 3.5mm jack. I know it gets confusing with the MB and MBP since they have both connections on the one headphone port (it senses whether you connected a 3.5mm stereo jack or optical cable). My guess is you have the PM 2.1 w/ a 3.5mm jack. Your connection will pretty much be: MBP-->DAC-->Promedia 2.1/A5 In this case the Promedia has a built-in amplifier, so you don't need a separate amp. In the future if you upgrade to an amp/receiver you will want to stick an amp between the DAC and speakers. Right now with your MBP going directly to the speakers your MBP is acting like a DAC and amp, and the Promedia is a second amp and speakers- note that you have one redundant amplifier in there mucking things up. A separate DAC will allow you to bypass the sound processing and amp on the MBP to give you cleaner sound. For your MBP look for a DAC that has either a USB or Optical (TOSLINK) connection- I've had better luck with optical on my MB since you don't have drivers affecting the sound and optical DACS are usually cheaper. Where things get weird is that you plug the optical cable into the same jack that you plug your headphones in, but the signal is completely different. The regular headphone jack will give you the amplified analog electrical that drives the headphones/speakers. The optical connection gives you a binary digital signal (0s and 1s)- this is the signal that your DAC decodes and turns into the analog signal that you feed to your speakers. The DAC output is slightly different from the headphone signal from your MBP in that the MBP signal is amplified, but the DAC signal is at "Line-Level"- basically a clean signal with no amplification/volume adjustment. Hope that helps/doesn't confuse too much!

That is helpful, thank you. Took me a while to even realize my MBP has an optical out integrated w/ the headphone jack....and of course, you are right: my ProMedias have a simple 3.5mm jack..not optical. So, just to make sure I'd be doing things correctly, I CAN use the powered A5's w/ the powered Klipsch ProMedia sub, and for a cleaner signal, it is definitely best to stick a DAC between the MBP & sub/A5's.. O.K., I think I understand now.

The powered A5's & powered sub won't conflict w/ each other? That's the only part that's confusing me... Heck, I'll probably just forgo using the sub & keep it w/ the satellites for use in my office at work. I'll consider a separate sub later, once I figure out what specific DAC makes the most sense for me...that's the piece I'm most concerned w/ right now. Thanks again; your explanation kinda tied things together for me.

I know the Duet is popular around here, but again, isn't it maybe a bit much for me given I only need it for listening, not recording? The cost isn't necessarily prohibitive for me; god knows I'll spend $$ if it makes sense (sometimes even when it doesn't!!), just sayin'... Sorry, I know I should probably be asking this in the Duet thread... In any event, looks like I've got some reading to do.