[shackler]

Will be upgrading my computer sound soon, and I'd like some advice. After doing a bunch of research, I'm close to settling on the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system. Will keep an eye on sales & refurbished items over the next month or so, and it would be nice to have backup options in case I find a great deal on a different model (in Canada).
 
Main requirement is for music (mostly rock) along with movies and gaming. Looking, obviously, for the best possible sound at the lowest price.
 
Intel i3 3220 with B75 motherboard, integrated soundcard with Realtek Audio.
 
Question: Should I consider an amp, sound card, or other piece? Getting a receiver and individual parts is another option but my knowledge level on putting these things together is pretty low.
 
Alternate contenders:
 
m-audio AV40 (guess I'd need to consider adding a sub here)
Creative Gigaworks T40
Edifier S330d
Corsair SP2500
Harmon Kardon Soundsticks
 
Is the Klipsch the best choice, and what would be solid # 2 or 3 options if I find a better price on one of these listed, or something else? Sort of ruled out the Logitechs, although I would consider one.

 

[pogy]

Have you considered this option. There has been a lot of talk around head-fi about it and people agree that this is a good setup for a start.
You can always add a sub later if you feel that the bass is lacking.
Hope it helps
 

 

[shackler]

Came across an online post that suggested somebody put this together:
 
Dayton Audio B652 speakers
Topping TP22 amp
Yamaha 10" sub
 
Wonder if that Lepai amp would get the job done. And if either of the DIY options would be significantly better than the Klipsch ProMedia.
 

 

[spaark]

The Swan M10 is worth looking at. They're active speakers, so you don't need an amp, but a sound card could make a difference due to the DAC. You could always get a dedicated DAC on the other hand.

 

[cel4145]

Wonder if that Lepai amp would get the job done. And if either of the DIY options would be significantly better than the Klipsch ProMedia.

Why don't you ask this guy how his setup sounds?

The Dayton sub in that thread is a better choice than the Yamaha subs in the same price range, and definitely better than the Klipsch Promedia sub which is more of a midbass module.

Meanwhile, for the price of the Topping you mentioned, I think you are better of going with a used receiver off of Craigslist, unless you have to have that small size.

 

[StratocasterMan]

Here's my rig with FiiO DAC, Lepai amp, Dayton speakers, Polk Audio sub. The specific components are listed in my signature if you have any questions.
 

 

[shackler]

Read through the thread where you detailed your setup. Looks great! Really hard to find some of these parts in Canada, and those available are generally quite a bit more than in the U.S. So it seems unlikely I'd be able to keep it under $200. Not sure how much the shipping and import charges will be, but could get the Dayton speakers ($30) and Lepai LP-2020A+ amp ($25) from Parts Express. Also either the HifiMan HM-101 or Fiio E10 DAC for around $75. Add in the cost of a sub and speaker wire and it'll probably run around $300. May still end up going this route.

 

[shackler]

Quote:

Why don't you ask this guy how his setup sounds?

The Dayton sub in that thread is a better choice than the Yamaha subs in the same price range, and definitely better than the Klipsch Promedia sub which is more of a midbass module.

Meanwhile, for the price of the Topping you mentioned, I think you are better of going with a used receiver off of Craigslist, unless you have to have that small size.

 
Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah, the Yamaha is not cheap and also hard to find here. If I go this route, I will probably look used or go with the Lepai. Any suggestions for a cheap sub that would fit well with these parts?

 

[StratocasterMan]

You can always start without a DAC and without the sub, although both make a huge difference. You'll easily be under $200 that way. The Dayton speakers from Parts Express come with some cheapo speaker wire, but better speaker wire will only run about $10. I don't have any information on obtaining stuff in Canada, unfortunately. I started without the sub for a couple months and added it later.  

 

[shackler]

Have you heard enough of the Klipsch to compare? And yeah, it's definitely an option to just start with the amp and speakers.

 

[cel4145]

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah, the Yamaha is not cheap and also hard to find here. If I go this route, I will probably look used or go with the Lepai. Any suggestions for a cheap sub that would fit well with these parts?

I know. I hang out over on AVS forum, and the Candians are always complaining about how hard is to get stuff on discount. You guys really don't get much.

If you live near the border, I know that many people use shipping holding services in the US and then go pick up.

For subs, if you can get it shipped from Parts Express at a reasonable price, that Dayton 10" is a very good one for the money.

As far as Lepai and separate DACs, I wouldn't put a ton of money into a DAC for the Lepai. If you have room for it, a used AV receiver can be a really good deal because it has a built in DAC that is typically better quality than motherboard audio. You run optical from that to your receiver from your motherboard. I've noticed over the last few years that older receivers that don't have HDMI (but do have optical) often get dumped very cheap because wants HDMI for easy hook up and the better SQ of bluray. You might find a good deal on Canuk Audio Mart.

 

[StratocasterMan]

Yeah, I already had the FiiO E17 DAC / headphone amp because I use it for headphones...

 

[shackler]

I was thinking of starting with the speakers, Lepai and DAC (around $75), and maybe adding a sub later. You think I'd be better off with a receiver and sub instead? Or are they both solid options?

 

[cel4145]

The Lepai is excellent for $20 and can allow you build an awesome setup better than $150 to $200 desktop speaker systems, but it's not a home audio receiver

I got a ten year old HK AV receiver in another setup in the house. Definitely better SQ than the Lepai (which I gave away) and definitely more volume output. So yeah. If you could find a used Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, Pioneer, or Kenwood AV receiver in good shape (but not Panasonic or Phillips and other HTIB receivers), I think you'd end up better off than the Lepai and a separate DAC in SQ, but also features. Might have a subwoofer output and bass management. Better tone controls (I wouldn't use the ones on the Lepai). Headphone output. Ability to add more speakers or plug in other items.

Look for good used deals for a week or two and see what you find. If anything interesting, you could always post back here and see what people think. Wouldn't be too late to buy the Lepai if you don't have any luck.

 

[StratocasterMan]

Yeah, absolutely. The only reason I have the Lepai is that it was only $20 and I already had the FiiO E17 for headphones. There's no question a used receiver is going to be a lot better than the Lepai. The headphone jack in the used receiver probably isn't going to compete with a DAC for headphone use (like playing 96 / 24 music), but it will be way better than the Lepai as a speaker amplifier.