[will75]

Setup: Soundblaster Z soundcard from computer. Going to buy the Schiit Valhalla amp and Modius DAC.

My questions:

1. Will this add sound quality for headphones and speakers compared to hooking straight in to the Soundblaster Z? (with Grado RS1e or Senn 595 etc, and the Klipsch promedia 2.1 speakers).

2. How do I actually connect all of this? All I know is optical out from Soundblaster Z sound card - - - > optical in on DAC.

From there I have no clue and how do I get the Klipsch promedia 2.1 hooked in to this so if I have headphones in they stop and when not plugged in the computer sound goes to the speakers?

3. What connectors do I need to buy that don't come with the Schiit gear other than 1 optical cord?

I've included a few pics of the klipsch stuff so you can see the available ports.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I think your over spending for a DAC/amp, for your current headphones and speakers.
A Schiit Modi/Magni 3 would be good enough for your current setup.
With whatever headphone amplifier you get, just connect it's line-output (RCA or 3.5mm) to the Promedia 2.1.

 

[pbui44]

Looking at pictures from this post and comparing them to your pictures:

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/74747240

The Promedia 2.1 uses a proprietary input connector with 3.5mm-male-Audio jack, so you will need this with whatever amp you choose, and make sure that there are RCA-outputs on your amp:

https://www.amazon.com/30S1-01260-Stereo-Female-Y-Cable-Connector/dp/B000I23TTE

 

[will75]

I think your over spending for a DAC/amp, for your current headphones and speakers.
A Schiit Modi/Magni 3 would be good enough for your current setup.
With whatever headphone amplifier you get, just connect it's line-output (RCA or 3.5mm) to the Promedia 2.1.

I also have Polk LSi15 speakers I may hook up as well. In that case, is the Valhalla still overkill?

 

[will75]

Looking at pictures from this post and comparing them to your pictures:

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/74747240

The Promedia 2.1 uses a proprietary input connector with 3.5mm-male-Audio jack, so you will need this with whatever amp you choose, and make sure that there are RCA-outputs on your amp:

https://www.amazon.com/30S1-01260-Stereo-Female-Y-Cable-Connector/dp/B000I23TTE

Thanks. Ordered that. So how does the amp connect to the dac? Rca?

 

[pbui44]

Thanks. Ordered that. So how does the amp connect to the dac? Rca?

It depends on what type of DAC and amp you get. Modius/Valhalla needs male-RCA-to-male-RCA interconnects, but the Modius/Magnius can also work (with a stronger power current in-between the DAC/amp) with male-3-pin-XLR-to-male-3-pin-XLR interconnects.

 

[pbui44]

Also, with the Polk LSi15 speakers, you would need this amp to power them:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AR0A3V4/ref=psdcmw_11975151_t2_B071R993LT?th=1&psc=1

The cool thing about this amp is that you can connect it straight to the Modius via XLR output and the Valhalla via RCA outputs. However, there will not be enough power for both (if possible at all), so only the crown or Valhalla should be the only amp to power on with the Modius. Both amps should NOT be powered on at the same time.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I also have Polk LSi15 speakers I may hook up as well. In that case, is the Valhalla still overkill?

The Valhalla is not a speaker amp. It does have preamp function but preamp function seems like overkill in your setup. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I also have Polk LSi15 speakers I may hook up as well. In that case, is the Valhalla still overkill?

The Polk LSi15 speakers are unpowered speaker, you would need to also get a speaker amplifier.
The Valhalla is over kill for your current headphones.

 

[will75]

The Polk LSi15 speakers are unpowered speaker, you would need to also get a speaker amplifier.
The Valhalla is over kill for your current headphones.

OK thanks! If I end up with some higher impedance headphones like Beyerdynamics would this setup be appropriate?

 

[will75]

May be overkill I guess, but I'm leaning toward the Valhalla 2 for 2 reasons.

1. I want a tube amp and don't want to spend above 400 on just the amp.

2. It'll scale up if needed depending on future gear.

Thoughts? Any tube amps rival this for under 400?

 

[pbui44]

May be overkill I guess, but I'm leaning toward the Valhalla 2 for 2 reasons.

1. I want a tube amp and don't want to spend above 400 on just the amp.

2. It'll scale up if needed depending on future gear.

Thoughts? Any tube amps rival this for under 400?

https://www.amazon.com/LOXJIE-Balan...5X9YXR&psc=1&refRID=QBC5GTPKJNEGXZ5X9YXR&th=1

Hook the Loxjie P20 to the Modius XLR outputs and Klipsch Promedia 2.1 to the Modius RCA outputs.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

May be overkill I guess, but I'm leaning toward the Valhalla 2 for 2 reasons.

1. I want a tube amp and don't want to spend above 400 on just the amp.

2. It'll scale up if needed depending on future gear.

Thoughts? Any tube amps rival this for under 400?

The Valhalla 2 is a nice amp for the money but I don't think it scales. It sounds really nice with my HD 600s but my 800s reveal a lot of slop in the midrange especially. I don't know how much I'd have to spend tube rolling to get it to pump out something the HD 800s can eat without indigestion or whether it's even possible.

Yes it's a good amp for Beyer DT1770/1990. No, it's probably not ok when you go up from there. In my experience it is not a good idea to try to economize on amps. The better headphones you get and the better sources you get, the more your amp has to do its part.

After Valhalla 2, then Feliks, Woo, and a host of others.

 

[PurpleAngel]

OK thanks! If I end up with some higher impedance headphones like Beyerdynamics would this setup be appropriate?

For high impedance headphones, the Valhalla would make more sense.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Setup: Soundblaster Z soundcard from computer. Going to buy the Schiit Valhalla amp and Modius DAC.

1. Will this add sound quality for headphones and speakers compared to hooking straight in to the Soundblaster Z? (with Grado RS1e or Senn 595 etc, and the Klipsch promedia 2.1 speakers).
2. How do I actually connect all of this? All I know is optical out from Soundblaster Z sound card - - - > optical in on DAC.
From there I have no clue and how do I get the Klipsch Promedia 2.1 hooked in to this so if I have headphones in they stop and when not plugged in the computer sound goes to the speakers?
3. What connectors do I need to buy that don't come with the Schiit gear other than 1 optical cord?
I've included a few pics of the klipsch stuff so you can see the available ports.

if you have no need for the Creative headphone surround sound, then just connect a headphone amplifier to the SB-Z's front speaker jack.