[DeadkaiseR]

Hey guys, I’m hoping to set myself up with some decent audio gear for my separate work pc as I tend to listen to music as I work. The bugget is unfortunately fair small max $750.
I like to listen to a bit of everything by prefer a ‘colourful’ sound with exceptionally good punchy bass.
So far I’ve had a few ideas regarding some components but am at complete loss as to what to get with others!
 
I also indeed to pair this gear up with my DT990 pro 250 ohm headphones.
 
This is what I’ve been thinking of getting!
 
Speakers – audioengine P4 ~$250
 
Subwoofer - ?? I have a pair of Audioengine A5 at home and love them but they could do with a bit more bass the P4 (passive speakers) lacks the bass even more so I think a Subwoofer is a must but have no idea what I should get.
 
DAC- I’ve been looking at the topping D3 and Audioengine D1 DAC but am uncertain what I should go for, I would much prefer something with both headphones and speaker volume control nobs like a ASUS Xonar Essence One however obviously the Essence One would eat up to much of my budget.
 
Amp’s – I’ve been thinking about getting either a
-              HA2002 (would the speakers work with this)
-              Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1 Amplifier – love the looking this one just uncertain about tubs and how much of a hassle they are!
-              Schiit Asgard 2
-              Topping TP41
 
I’ve also notice quite a few people running decent DAC and really cheap Amps Should I be spending more on a DAC and less on the amp?
 
Cheers any help and suggestions would be much appreciated!! 

 

[DeadkaiseR]

bump... 

 

[DrSheep]

If you want all in 1, then the Focal X1 is a great package, the same goes for Bowers and Wilkins MM-1.  Both of these has their own build-in DAC/AMP.  Since you have the A5 (+?) already, I suggest you put your money on a good desktop DAC/AMP.  BTW, don't short change yourself buying good DAC with a crap AMP.

 

[DeadkaiseR]

  If you want all in 1, then the Focal X1 is a great package, the same goes for Bowers and Wilkins MM-1.  Both of these has their own build-in DAC/AMP.  Since you have the A5 (+?) already, I suggest you put your money on a good desktop DAC/AMP.  BTW, don't short change yourself buying good DAC with a crap AMP.

 
Was hoping not to get a 'package' as such this is for my little office out of home..... Figured i would leave my A5's at home....
 
But on the subject of DAC & AMP I take it you would recommend spending substantially more on the DAC and get a budget AMP correct? 

 

[DrSheep]

Actually no, you need to have balance and get a decent DAC and AMP, as you don't want to have your clean signal crap out by a cheap amp.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Was hoping not to get a 'package' as such this is for my little office out of home..... Figured i would leave my A5's at home....
But on the subject of DAC & AMP I take it you would recommend spending substantially more on the DAC and get a budget AMP correct? 

Audio-GD NFB-15.32 DAC/Amp, $255+shipping.
Dual WM8741 DAC chips and a headphone amplifier that can drive your current headphones (DT990s) and headphone you buy in the future.
(you might consider selling off the DT990 Pro 250-Ohm and getting the DT990 Premium 600-Ohm, better bass control, but hold off for a good price for used ones)
The 15.32 comes with a separate line-out (RCA) for connecting to whatever speaker system you get.
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1532/NFB15.32EN.htm
 
Emotiva Airmotiv 4, $299, heard these are great active speakers.
http://shop.emotiva.com/products/airmotiv4
 
Or maybe get 8" studio monitors.

 

[DeadkaiseR]

  Actually no, you need to have balance and get a decent DAC and AMP, as you don't want to have your clean signal crap out by a cheap amp.

 
K gotcha, thats what i've heard in the past just seen a bunch of people with mid range source and super cheap Amp! Anyway PurpleAngle has me convinced i'll go for a DAC with an in-build headphone AMP and get some powered speakers preferable with a sub included or exceptional low Bass. Probable a better end result than trying to get everything for such a small budget  

  Audio-GD NFB-15.32 DAC/Amp, $255+shipping.
Dual WM8741 DAC chips and a headphone amplifier that can drive your current headphones (DT990s) and headphone you buy in the future.
(you might consider selling off the DT990 Pro 250-Ohm and getting the DT990 Premium 600-Ohm, better bass control, but hold off for a good price for used ones)
The 15.32 comes with a separate line-out (RCA) for connecting to whatever speaker system you get.
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1532/NFB15.32EN.htm
 
Emotiva Airmotiv 4, $299, heard these are great active speakers.
http://shop.emotiva.com/products/airmotiv4
 
Or maybe get 8" studio monitors.

 
Audio-GD NFB-15.32 DAC/Amp looks great from the user impressions can seem to find any review however anyway ty for the suggestion think i'll get it by the way any idea how it compares with a O2-odac-combo or http://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/o2-odac-combo/ ASUS Xonar Essence STU, I know its a tad out of my price rang just intreaged. I'm also now convinced that get active speakers is a better idea than picking up some passive speakers + amp.
I checked out the Emotiva ty for the suggestion audio wise they sound great but aesthetically i find them hideous you would not happen to know of any others with great bass?

 

[DeadkaiseR]

So Small update after sitting on the net for a few days i'v decider i think i'll get the  Aktimate Mini + (http://www.aktimate.com.au/mini+.html) from what i'v seen on the net they sound like what i'm looking for (hope there not to dated) ironically I nearly got them a few years back but walk away and got the A5 due to availability cost and the warranty.
 
This plus what ever Dac i choose  NFB15.32 v's the O2-odac-combo hard choice  set me set be back around the 750-800 mark so i guess i will not be getting a sub after all maybe if i can get a $183 http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M cheap in au i'll get one!
 
Any thoughts anyone!

 

[PurpleAngel]

  So Small update after sitting on the net for a few days i'v decider i think i'll get the  Aktimate Mini + (http://www.aktimate.com.au/mini+.html) from what i'v seen on the net they sound like what i'm looking for (hope there not to dated) ironically I nearly got them a few years back but walk away and got the A5 due to availability cost and the warranty.
 
This plus what ever Dac i choose  NFB15.32 v's the O2-odac-combo hard choice  set me set be back around the 750-800 mark so i guess i will not be getting a sub after all maybe if i can get a $183 http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M cheap in au i'll get one!
 
Any thoughts anyone!

The NFB-15.32 comes with USB and S/PDIF (optical & coaxial) inputs, the S/PDIF allows the 15.32 to be used with a sound card or motherboard's on board audio.
The ODAC is a USB only input, so bypasses the sound card(s).