[StratocasterMan]

Quote:

 
I read the CNET link. Looks good. If you say there is some bass, I can get the sub later, no worries. So Dayton Speakers, Lepia LP 2020A+ and FiiO E17? Is that the best that I can get for my money? Any other options on amps or DACs? One more thing, while going through your thread, I noticed the treble bypass. Can you explain on how to do that?

 
I don't know of a better system for the money.
 
Other options for amplifiers are these, but they are all quite a bit more expensive:
http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pdT1_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=4U2NEAHXZF35&coliid=I203JEKXJXPNN2
 
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-383
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-322
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-320
 
I don't have any other recommendations on DACs, although of course, there are others in the same price range. I'm very fond of the FiiO E17. If you get the E17, be sure to order the FiiO L7 line-out dock here:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-L7-Line-Dock-Cable/dp/B004QVNS0S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1348003454&sr=1-1&keywords=fiio+l7
 
The line-out dock allows you to bypass the headphone amplifier section of the FiiO E17 and run a line-out signal to the speaker amplifier. In this way, you are only using the FiiO E17 as a desktop DAC and not double-amplifying the signal. The headphone jack on the FiiO E17 will still be available and you can still use it as a headphone amplifier at the same time.
 
Don't worry about the treble bypass. There is a button on the front of the Lepai amplifier that allows you to select "tone" or "direct." If you select "tone," the tone controls are active on the Lepai amp. I have found these tone controls decrease the overall signal and don't really do a very good job of tone control. I prefer to select "direct" so that the tone controls are inactive on the Lepai. I do any EQ'ing at the source. For example, I use the equalizer in foobar2000, my music player program on my laptop, to make tone adjustments. You can always experiment with using the tone controls on the Lepai amp or bypassing them.

 

[itspb]

Quote:

 
I don't know of a better system for the money.
 
Other options for amplifiers are these, but they are all quite a bit more expensive:
http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pdT1_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=4U2NEAHXZF35&coliid=I203JEKXJXPNN2
 
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-383
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-322
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-320
 
I don't have any other recommendations on DACs, although of course, there are others in the same price range. I'm very fond of the FiiO E17. If you get the E17, be sure to order the FiiO L7 line-out dock here:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-L7-Line-Dock-Cable/dp/B004QVNS0S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1348003454&sr=1-1&keywords=fiio+l7
 
The line-out dock allows you to bypass the headphone amplifier section of the FiiO E17 and run a line-out signal to the speaker amplifier. In this way, you are only using the FiiO E17 as a desktop DAC and not double-amplifying the signal. The headphone jack on the FiiO E17 will still be available and you can still use it as a headphone amplifier at the same time.
 
Don't worry about the treble bypass. There is a button on the front of the Lepai amplifier that allows you to select "tone" or "direct." If you select "tone," the tone controls are active on the Lepai amp. I have found these tone controls decrease the overall signal and don't really do a very good job of tone control. I prefer to select "direct" so that the tone controls are inactive on the Lepai. I do any EQ'ing at the source. For example, I use the equalizer in foobar2000, my music player program on my laptop, to make tone adjustments. You can always experiment with using the tone controls on the Lepai amp or bypassing them.

 
Those amps are kinda expensive. 
 
Do you think i can hook up these Pioneer BS21 to Lepai 2020A+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405&Tpk=pioneer%20bs21? Which cables do I require for this setup: My computer -> Amp -> Speakers?
 
I'm gonna think about DACs/Sound Cards later on.

 

[itspb]

BUMPP. Help Anyone???

 

[cel4145]

Yes. The Pioneers will work with the Lepai T-Amp. Probably just need speaker wire and a 3.5mm to RCA cable (I'm guessing your computer has small plugs?)
 
But if you spend $75 to $100 for a good used receiver off of Craiglist, it will have a built in DAC and will be better than the Lepai as far as amplifiers go.  Do you have optical out on your computer? 

 

[itspb]

Quote:

Yes. The Pioneers will work with the Lepai T-Amp. Probably just need speaker wire and a 3.5mm to RCA cable (I'm guessing your computer has small plugs?)
 
But if you spend $75 to $100 for a good used receiver off of Craiglist, it will have a built in DAC and will be better than the Lepai as far as amplifiers go.  Do you have optical out on your computer? 

Can you elaborate more on the speaker wire? My computer does have 3.5mm outputs.
 
I've already considered that buy I don't want to spend any more. I don't think i have an optical output.

So Pioneer BS21 or Dayton B625?

 

[cel4145]

Get some 16 gauge speaker wire like this: http://www.amazon.com/RCA-AH16100SN-16-Gauge-Speaker-Wire/dp/B0029HHIDY/. If you are only running it short distances, you could even go with higher gauge. 
 
+1 for the Pioneer BS21. See this owners thread over at AVS. People love that Pioneer series. 

 

[itspb]

Quote:

Get some 16 gauge speaker wire like this: http://www.amazon.com/RCA-AH16100SN-16-Gauge-Speaker-Wire/dp/B0029HHIDY/. If you are only running it short distances, you could even go with higher gauge. 
 
+1 for the Pioneer BS21. See this owners thread over at AVS. People love that Pioneer series. 

I don't even need more than 10ft. So how do i assemble all this? Just cut the wires, put them in the speakers and receivers? 

 

[cel4145]

Yep. Cut the speaker wire and strip off about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of insulation off each end, then connect the speakers to the back of the t-amp using the speaker wire. If you look around, you can find shorter lengths that 50 feet. 
 
Then you use a 3.5mm to RCA cable like one of these to connect the computer and t-amp. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I don't even need more than 10ft. So how do i assemble all this? Just cut the wires, put them in the speakers and receivers? 

Yes, cut and stick them in.
Home Depot sells speaker wire, good prices.
18 (or 16 gauge) should be fine.
Lots of speaker wire only comes with a very thin line on one of the wires to tell the difference.
Some come with one copper colored and one silver colored wire.

 

[itspb]

Quote:

Yep. Cut the speaker wire and strip off about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of insulation off each end, then connect the speakers to the back of the t-amp using the speaker wire. If you look around, you can find shorter lengths that 50 feet. 
 
Then you use a 3.5mm to RCA cable like one of these to connect the computer and t-amp. 

Alrighty! Thanks a lot mate. 

So:
 
Pioneer BS21
Lepai LP 2020A+
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021816&p_id=9297&seq=1&format=2 or http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021818&p_id=9567&seq=1&format=2 I want an AUX cable.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021817&p_id=9300&seq=1&format=2 The 3.5mm to RCA
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2819&seq=1&format=2 The speaker cables. Should i go with clear jacket or insulated? 
 
Does this look good to everyone?

 

[cel4145]

You don't have to have the in wall speaker cable unless you want the white jacket on the outside. Also, the minimum gauge of the speaker wire you need is based on the distance you intend to run the wire and the impedance of the speakers. Scroll down a little on this page until you see the table. 
 
But yeah. All that stuff will work fine 

 

[itspb]

Quote:

You don't have to have the in wall speaker cable unless you want the white jacket on the outside. Also, the minimum gauge of the speaker wire you need is based on the distance you intend to run the wire and the impedance of the speakers. Scroll down a little on this page until you see the table. 
 
But yeah. All that stuff will work fine 

I don't want the white jacket. I was just concerned about corrosion. I read the table, i don't need anything more than 2ft. So i guess 16 AWG should be fine. 

So it is done then. Thanks a lot guys.
 
Now where can i learn about getting the most out of my system. Like speaker placement? Equalizer settings? Etc

 

[krishtrinity1]

  Just picked up Moprice 8320s after i saw the thread on this website and decided to seek your expert advice on a new system for college to put in my room. The room is about 10X18 and I don't have roommates so no worries about noise  
 
I will be using my laptop(Dell XPS 15) and my phone (Samsung Galaxy S) to play music. The music includes lossless tracks too. I require a speaker system and DAC(which will be used with my phone too). My budget is ~$200. At first i was looking at hi-fi systems like Audioengine A2. But just to keep options open, I'm thinking about buying cheaper systems from Logitech/Altec Lansing/Bose/whatever is there and get a nice DAC as well. I don't mind buying used items. Few things, needs to be loud enough(I usually listen to music very loud) and the bass should blow my mind. As for DAC, should be portable so I can use my phone with it and should be able to handle lossless music. 

I would love to know what you guys have to say/recommend.
 
Cheers

Audioengine D1 is a good DAC to power your laptop but i don't think you can use it with your smartphone,try the Audinst HUD mini,it is cheaper and has better performance than fiio e17.For the speakers Audioengin A2 is not the best value for money speakers around,Harmon Kardon soundstics is a good 2.1 speakers for a small room,Maudio stereophile av40 might be worth a look.My advice is use a headphone amplifier like fiio E11 for your smartphone and use a DAC seperately for the speakers.