(looking for) one solution/upgrade for studio monitors & headphones

[se530]

Hello Head-Fi Memebers,

it's been a pleasure to follow many of the threads and discussions over here. The knowledge and for the bigger part respect of other opinions and members here seems second to none. Well, to make it short - I am glad to join and will try to contibute to my best ability.

I am thinking about upgrading my pc audio in the near future (most likely july-august) so want to ask for your advice.

When I switched to powered monitor speakers from Logitech Z-5500 (for the sake of music, in expense of gaming/DVDs) there were several things I thought about/noticed:

1) Studio monitors can be a great upgrade from pc speakers or be an alternative to speakers/reciever/amp combos.
2) Studio monitors seem to be aimed at audio producers/small home studios, where quite a bit of other gear is used (mixers, firewire audio interfaces for recording etc.).
3) Controlling sound level of monitors can be tricky and/or require quite a big investment in gear most functionality of which you don't need or even worse - which dramatically influence sound quality.

Switching from 5.1 sound I wanted to:
- be able to enjoy music more (stereo speakers)
- be able to continue to enjoy occasional gaming just as I did before
- be able to experiment with some music production (Cubase, Ableton etc.) when I feel like it

After checking out my options I opted for the system that you see in my sig (I have also tried another passive volume attenuator from SM Pro Audio, but did not like it since it shifted audio image a little on low volume and... it had absolutely horrible/useless headphone amp).

I though about selling the prelude and getting external audio interface but I did not find any that would offer me what I wanted: monitor outs with volume control, integrated headphone amp and, of course - the sound quality at least as good as what I already had. Well, seems like you either get crappy everything or a huge monster interface for $1000+ with 95% connectors collecting dust (a little exaggeration here).


Several days ago I came across Audio-gd Compass on this forum and it seems like this is something that I might be looking for (I've also came across severall related threads discussing some other similar products).

Aim/thoughts/budgets:
- for ~$300-400 - DAC that I will be able to hook up all the gear I have now (monitors & headphones), that will deffinately better prelude sound quality
- for ~$400-600 - same thing but with build in amp for headphones

Priority:
- sound quality


As far as I see it, I could still game with prelude + headphones combo and use separate DAC (using usb or optical connection) that will always drive my monitors and headphones when used with music.

My gaming needs are definately less then they used too. I catch myself playing CS:S not using headphones sometimes (X-Fi CMSS 3D in gaming mode helps a some though). Also, I do use Vista (now 7) and have not messed with Alchemy since ages. That is, I believe that a decent positioning in games using headphones (SRH840) will do. So... maybe I will be fine even without prelude?

So, yes, do you think Audio-gd Compass is something that will suit me? Or please, direct me to some alternatives.


Thanks and sorry for a poem.

p.s I guess somewhat limited space is not only a problem for my setup

 

[.Sup]

see my sig- I'm very happy with my setup

 

[se530]

Thank you for your reply.

I've done some additional reading and it seems that I might have rushed with my first question because there are quite a few devices that would suit my needs (and be an upgrade in sound quality). Need to do more research and find some to test.

As for the source, using EMU0404 USB instead of prelude/nano patch looks like (just from the reviews I found) to be quite a questionable upgrade (sound quality + functionality wise).


After spending some hours reading it seems that I should save for Lavry DA11 (I know it is complitely another price range) or similar device which should blow my socks off as far as I see it. As a future step I would be looking for a better studio monitors then. (I could use coax from prelude or spdif from the laptop to it)

The price is quite steep though.

 

[.Sup]

what you need to know is to control your monitors you will need hardware audio controller (EMU0404USB has it) if you will be bypassing windows kmixer, software volume slider and keyboard's volume controls won't work and you probably won't adjust volume on each monitor separately. Not sure what Lavry DAC has, I'm not very familiar with it. Also I went from X-fi pro and the difference is huge. Be sure to go balanced

 

[se530]

Thanks .Sup, I will try to find one to audiotion.

Here is hoping I will be able to find some places during the summer where I could try several DAC/amps with my headphones too (do want to hear both Benchmark DAC1 and Lavry DA10/DA11). It was quite a challenge to choose speakers with my father (simply too few shops would have models that we were interested in presented together; sometimes the speakers would be hoocked up to completely different systems too). I remeber we managed to find one great store in LA (tons of equipment and a very knowledgeble owner) and thats when we stoped our 6+ monthes search on Paradigm Signatures (did look into 8 series of B&W, but decided against because of the price and our HT room dimentions/space). It was only the second time when we heared them and the rest was based on the long internet search. I think we absolutely managed to squize everything out of the budget & get a system that is perfect for the room.

Anyway, I will see what a month at home with mentioned system will do to me. It's been a while since I passed out in the chair at night sitting in the sweet spot and listening to some of my favorite tunes.

 

[Skorpitarius]

I have a Compass and it is a sheer sonic delight so far , even not burned in yet, it sounds delicious compared to what i've heard and just my own perception/experience with hi fi speakers and my own music performance experience ...

The KRK monitors are very interesting and you can get deals on them on ebay and wherever .... I will eventually get buying some of them along with a sub, I hope .... I just have the teeny tiny Insignia p.c. speakers from Best Buy at moment and they are good considering their price and size and the tiny subwoofer manages to put out quite a good chunk of low end somehow ...

 

[.Sup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skorpitarius /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a Compass and it is a sheer sonic delight so far , even not burned in yet, it sounds delicious compared to what i've heard and just my own perception/experience with hi fi speakers and my own music performance experience ... The KRK monitors are very interesting and you can get deals on them on ebay and wherever .... I will eventually get buying some of them along with a sub, I hope .... I just have the teeny tiny Insignia p.c. speakers from Best Buy at moment and they are good considering their price and size and the tiny subwoofer manages to put out quite a good chunk of low end somehow ...

i wouldn't say its tiny