Computer Audio Help with K701 & Powered Speakers (beginner)

[tama]

Hi all,
 
I going to final finish uni and start earning some money so i need some advice on how to smartly spend it.
 
The two products I currently have my eyes on are K701 and the aktimate minis speakers and would like to know how to get the best out of them.
 
I am thinking about either ASUS Xonar Essence STX or a cheap amp/DAC setup.
 
The speakers are powered so i dont know how that effects the setup. The main reason I was looking at the external setup is the easy of switching between the two and hooking up my turntable.
 
Cheers,
Kris

 

[tama]

no takers?

 

[tama]

no one

 

[tama]

double post*

 

[a_recording]

I don't think you are getting too many responses because not many people have the Aktimate Minis. They seem pretty rare outside of Australia.
 
That said, I have a pair of Aktimate Minis. I originally had them hooked up to my laptop directly, but found that I got all kinds of electrical inteference and a pretty unengaging listening experience. I immediately went out and got the 2009 Super Pro USB 707DAC from diykits and later on a uDAC based on opinions here, but I actually found that the uDac has a slightly buzzing noise, and the detail from the 707 helped even out the mid bass hump on the Aktimates.
 
Since they are active speakers, you most probably want something that is a external DAC with a headphone amp. I'm not really sure what would be best in your category, and I'm not sure of your budget, but I would go for external. One really important thing to note is that because the Aktimates are rear ported and pretty physically large, they actually need a fair bit of room to breathe from the wall. I have them set up on little speaker spikes, toed in and about 15cm from the wall. Closer and the bass begins to get a little flabby, so if you don't have the room you should reconsider. Once you have placement set out though, they really are nice, with some really great instrument placement and detail for the price.
 

 

[tama]

thanks for the reply, it doesnt have to be just about the minis, any powered speakers such as the A5 would be a great reference
 
I found this, do you think this would be suitable for my setup?
 
http://www.wickeddigital.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=joomlaplates.tpl&product_id=714&category_id=5&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53

 

[a_recording]

I went with the Aktimates over the A5's in the end because what limited information I could find about a comparison, generally people put the Aktimates ahead.
 
That said, I think spending 300 dollars on a DAC for 500 dollar speakers is a bit excessive. I'd spent up to 1/4 of the price on the DAC, because after that you may as well just buy nicer speakers.

 

[tama]

you make a good point. i like the DAC but the soundcard looks like a better solution. What would be better purely for the k701's?

 

[Grendizer]

I'm using a xonar dx with optical out to dacmagic. Then balanced connections to 2.1 setup with esi near05 monitors and esi sw10k experience sub. RCA outputs from the dac go to a lakepeople g100 that amp the k701. I'm quite happy with this setup.

 

[tama]

i know that i can pay over $1000 to power my headphones and speakers but i dont want to. I want to know if the sound card or wicked dac would be better

 

[Grendizer]

I'd go for the wicked dac. I just have seen to much pcs leaking noise to the audio card and then to the speakers. 
Have you considered studio monitors? Those aktimates look too expensive compared to my cheap studio monitors and they don't seem to give much more. You could save a bit there and get a decent dac and amp that feed nicely any headphones/speakers you decide to upgrade with later. I've had so much troubles with soundcards that I can't recommend them over the cheapest dac.
Don't know you budget but the dacmagic is way under 1000, even with a decent amp it's way under 1000$

 

[a_recording]

Quote:

I'd go for the wicked dac. I just have seen to much pcs leaking noise to the audio card and then to the speakers. 
Have you considered studio monitors? Those aktimates look too expensive compared to my cheap studio monitors and they don't seem to give much more. You could save a bit there and get a decent dac and amp that feed nicely any headphones/speakers you decide to upgrade with later. I've had so much troubles with soundcards that I can't recommend them over the cheapest dac.
Don't know you budget but the dacmagic is way under 1000, even with a decent amp it's way under 1000$

Depends on what you are after. If its for sound production work then sure, the studio monitors might be a great fit. But as I understand it the Aktimates are one of the better active options at their price point, sound fun and dynamic. Here's a list of reviews: http://www.redboxav.com/products/aktimate/reviews.php
 
I'd definitely go for an external DAC of some kind though. I would have suggested the DACmagic, but it seemed a little much for your total budget.

 

[tama]

yes the dac magic is way over my budget. As a dear Australian i have my heart set on the Minis so will get them first then look into the Maverick + k701 further down the line. Reading reviews and opinions that seems like a good combo
 
Thanks for your help a_recording