[ya93sin]

Hi Head-fi,
 
Recently my Corsair SP2500 2.1 power board decided to blow out, taking out my Schiit Modi DAC with it (and a motherboard, which I was thankfully able to replace).
 
I'm now looking for:

1. A replacement speaker system (2.1). I am happy to buy 2 speakers first, then a subwoofer later;
2. A DAC

 
I do still have a fully functional Schiit Magni headphone amp.
 
My listening source is a desktop PC. I have USB 2, 3 & 3.1 ports and an optical out from the motherboard.
I listen to music using Shure SE535LTD in-ears and Sennheiser Momentum over-ears (and once I buy them, the speakers).
Speakers would be on a desk, the subwoofer on the floor.
I listen to hip-hop and motown.
 
My budget on the DAC & Speakers is £400, excluding the subwoofer. I'm in the United Kingdom.
 
From the DAC I'm not expecting 'audiophile' quality, just a balanced sound.
From the speakers & sub I want accurate sound but with powerful, tight bass, if that makes sense.
 
 

 
 
For reference:
SP2500 specs were:

1. Frequency response: 35Hz – 20kHz +/- 3dB
2. 232 Watts total power (measured via FTC “RMS” method)
3. Subwoofer dimensions: 18.1 x 10.2 x 11.7 inches (46 x 25.8 x 29.7 cm)
4. Satellite dimensions: 4.25 x 4.7 x 6.25 inches (10.8 x 12 x 15.9 cm)

 
Subwoofer specs were:

1. 8" 120W (IEC60268-5 24hr continuous rating) subwoofer with durable rubber surround
2. Fourth-order closed bandpass enclosure design
3. Bridged dual 60 Watt class-D amplifiers with integrated DSP for 120 Watts of power (measured via FTC "RMS" method)

 
Satellite specs were:

1. Satellite dimensions: 4.25 x 4.7 x 6.25 inches (10.8 x 12 x 15.9 cm)
2. Bi-amplified, two-way design with detachable audio cables
3. 3" 40W (IEC60628-5 24hr continuous rating) midrange drivers
4. 1" 16W (IEC60268-5 24hr continues rating) ferrofluid-cooled silk diaphragm tweeters
5. 56 Watts per satellite (measured via FTC “RMS” method):
   1. 40 Watt midrange class-D amplifiers with integrated DSP
   2. 16 Watt tweeter class-D amplifiers with integrated DSP

 
I don't know whether it's possible to use an external amp board to drive the SP2500 sub & satellites and bypass the broken board (for which there are no spare parts).

 

[onmywayaudio]

I love my Fiio E10.
 
Has a ton of power for amping anything, good clean bass boost and works perfectly as a DAC, with line-out. 

 

[ya93sin]

  I love my Fiio E10.
 
Has a ton of power for amping anything, good clean bass boost and works perfectly as a DAC, with line-out. 

If I set up a sub + 2 satellites, how would I set that up with an E10? It looks good value, though I do have a Fiio E18 + E12, how would they compare to the E10's quality?

 

[ya93sin]

Is it also likely that speakers such as the Audioengine A5+ will become cheaper as Christmas approaches? Say for example if the cost of those reduced to around £250 it would be worth the wait.
 
e - I also read about the JBL LSR305s, how would they stack up vs the A5+, and which other models should I consider?

 

[onmywayaudio]

If I set up a sub + 2 satellites, how would I set that up with an E10? It looks good value, though I do have a Fiio E18 + E12, how would they compare to the E10's quality?

I use my fiio e10 with my Klipsch 2.1 but only as a DAC.

PC ---> Dac ---> the speaker's green cable (source) connects through line out and use the ProMedia 2.1's own amp (which is integrated into the subwoofer).

I remind you, the fiio e10 is a headphone amp. For speakers, you will only get the sound signal from the fiio e10 (amped signal through the headphone output or non-amped but clean through the line out)