Question about KRK setup.

[Armaegis]

I highly recommend that you head down to your local music store and ask them to show you how to set up the KRKs as a pc speaker system. Being able to see how all the cables/connectors works helps a lot. Just show them .Sup's setup (EMU0404 USB>balanced>KRK RP10s/5 & HD555) and that should tell them all they need to know.

 

[Romulus1]

I just wanted to jump in here since I have a set of KRK G2 Rokit 6's.

When I first got them I used a 3.5mm TRS into left/right RCA cable to hook them directly up to my laptop. This worked fine and sounded good but I noticed a significant improvement when I tried running the output through a friends NI Audio Kontrol. I haven't been able to test them with my new Keces DAC yet but I think that they will improve even more. I certainty think that it is worth it to get a decent DAC.

As far as monitor sound goes, I am a headphone guy and I tend to favor headphones that are geared toward a monitor/studio sound (using AKG K271's right now). Thus, I had no trouble with the monitor sound of the KRK's (it's what I'm used to). Also, I found the bass to be excellent since I pretty much only used headphones before.

One thing to keep in mind is that you can build your setup over time if budget is an important factor (it is for me). If you have to these can run straight out of a computer and be fine. Just know that in the future, when funds allow, you can go the DAC route and improve your SQ.

Also, my KRK's did come with power cables so you should be set there.

 

[Scrivs]

Yes, Romulus1, you are right.
I totally agree with you, a friend of mine just explained to me that it could also be done with just the right cables.
So that is exactly what I'm going to do, get the monitors and sub and just hook to up to my pc with the cables only. And after a few months when I can afford I will surely buy a proper DAC and stuff like that, but I just can't afford that right now.

Due to what every1 sais here I thought that it wasnt possible without an interface between the system and my pc, luckily my friends knows some stuff about this so he explained to me that it ís possible.

The only thing I will buy is the Nano Patch volume knob, since this one has a mini jack in- and output so I can plug it in between the monitors and my pc.

Ill let you guys know once I bought I got them and tell you what I think of them.
Big thanks to all of you for all the information and effort you guys have done for me, I really appreciate it!

Thanks.

 

[Ham Sandwich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by .Sup /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Nano patch is crap. Have a look at Level Pilot instead. Regarding balanced, its true there are less interferences and you can use longer cables but there is a difference in sound quality as well. You're not gonna say people go with balanced headphones cos they need longer headphone cable are you? Scrivs to get the very best out of your KRK setup go balanced but if you're on a tight budget go unbalanced. You don't need an adapter if you're going unbalanced. Certain Xonar cards have RCA output, same with the monitors so all you need are 2 RCA male to male cables. Or you could get a 3.5 stereo to 2x RCA cable (you got that one bundled with your Logitechs) and use you onboard or your existing sound.

The Nano was an example of an inexpensive and flexible passive volume control. The first version of the Nano reportedly had issues but it's gone though at least two revisions since then and is reportedly OK now. The TC Level Pilot would also work, but only has XLR connectors. XLR cables and adapters are more expensive than TRS, TS, or RCA so you end up spending more on cables if you go with the Level Pilot.

Balanced isn't necessary just because the KRK monitors are capable of doing balanced. People have $100,000 systems that are all unbalanced connections and not a single balanced connection. The "balanced" in balanced headphone cable is not the same as the "balanced" in balanced line levels. Two different kinds of balanced.

Does the main output volume knob on the 0404 USB control the output volume on the outputs where you'd plug the KRK monitors in? If that's the case then there would be no need for a passive volume knob or other external volume control. That saves money cause the 0404 USB would be both a better sound card and a volume control for the monitors. Just plug in the monitors.

 

[Ham Sandwich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrivs /img/forum/go_quote.gif So as a recap of what extra's I realy need: - Is that TS to RCA adapter nescesary? You say that that one makes the TRS jack unbalanced, but dont the monitors already have an unbalanced jack on the back? - Is a DAC still a must for my situation or not? Or will something like that Behringer MON800 do fine? - A passive volume knob is needed. The SM Pro Audio seems like a good choice to me, or is there anything cheaper? As long as it does the job. - I understood that I also need a whole lot of extra cables? What kind of cables exactly and how many for each monitor and sub? - Will I still need to buy a better soundcard for my pc after all this? Or doesnt the quality of my soundcard matter when I have all the other equipment?

The TS to RCA adapter isn't necessary with the KRK since they already have an RCA jack. But many pro-audio devices don't have an RCA jack. If you want to connect to those devices it is handy to know that you can convert a TRS jack to unbalanced just by using a TS to TS cable or a TS to RCA adapter. You can also convert XLR connectors to unbalanced using an XLR to RCA adapter but XLR cables and adapters are more expensive.

The Behringer MON800 isn't a DAC. It's just a fancy pre-amp. It does input/output switching and volume control. It would serve the same purpose as the Nano volume knob.

A better sound card would benefit compared to onboard sound. I think the EMU 0404 USB can control the volume on the outputs (where the KRK speakers would be connected). If that's the case then you wouldn't need the Nano volume knob and instead could put that money towards the 0404 USB.

 

[.Sup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ham Sandwich /img/forum/go_quote.gif Does the main output volume knob on the 0404 USB control the output volume on the outputs where you'd plug the KRK monitors in? If that's the case then there would be no need for a passive volume knob or other external volume control. That saves money cause the 0404 USB would be both a better sound card and a volume control for the monitors. Just plug in the monitors.

Yeah the 0404 USB is a fantastic budget device. Not only it controls volume but also has a headphone amp and is a great DAC built in.

The OP could also have a look at 0202 USB. Its half the price and you don't need to buy the nano patch controller. The thing that worries me about Nano are its internal components. They look rather cheap.

 

[Romulus1]

Bearing in mind that if you are running the KRK's straight off your computer you can just use your computers volume control to control them there's not a whole lot of point in spending money for a passive volume control.

In a lot of ways it makes more sense to just save the money to put toward something like a DAC/AMP that can give you a knob interface later on.

 

[.Sup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romulus1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Bearing in mind that if you are running the KRK's straight off your computer you can just use your computers volume control to control them there's not a whole lot of point in spending money for a passive volume control. In a lot of ways it makes more sense to just save the money to put toward something like a DAC/AMP that can give you a knob interface later on.

ASIO needs it, you should know that

 

[Romulus1]

I'm not sure that I follow what you are saying...

While using the computer volume control isn't optimal (just like not using a better DAC/soundcard) it does work which was my point.

 

[Ham Sandwich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by .Sup /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah the 0404 USB is a fantastic budget device. Not only it controls volume but also has a headphone amp and is a great DAC built in. The OP could also have a look at 0202 USB. Its half the price and you don't need to buy the nano patch controller. The thing that worries me about Nano are its internal components. They look rather cheap.

The 0404 USB is neat. I would likely be using one if I didn't already have an M-Audio FW410 (bought it way back before the 0404 and similar USB 2.0 devices existed). My FW410 can control the output volume but it does so in software and isn't something that would be usable to control the volume for monitors.

The 0202 USB only has a "Direct Monitor" volume knob. It doesn't have a "Main Output" volume like the 0404 USB. I don't think the 0202 USB would do proper volume control of monitors directly connected to it.

 

[.Sup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romulus1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm not sure that I follow what you are saying... While using the computer volume control isn't optimal (just like not using a better DAC/soundcard) it does work which was my point.

I'm just saying, assuming he will be using ASIO to bypass kmixer, the software volume controls won't work

 

[Scrivs]

What do you mean with "using ASIO to bypass kmixer" .Sup?
The reason why I'm getting a passive volume knob is because windows tend to reset the volume bar to 100% sometimes which will scare the crap out of me.
I've seen that happen at a friend of mine a couple of times and I can tell ya, its not cool

 

[.Sup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrivs /img/forum/go_quote.gif What do you mean with "using ASIO to bypass kmixer" .Sup? The reason why I'm getting a passive volume knob is because windows tend to reset the volume bar to 100% sometimes which will scare the crap out of me. I've seen that happen at a friend of mine a couple of times and I can tell ya, its not cool

Audial :: Bypassing Windows Kernel Audio Mixer

 

[Scrivs]

Hi again all,

I just wanted to let you guys know that I bought a pair of KRK RP5 G2 Monitors this weekend along with the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard, which my local music store recommended me.
I also purchased the SM Pro Audio iNano Patch to have a better control over my volume and it works perfect.

Sadly, the KRK 10s subwoofer went out of stock 1 day before I was planning to get everything so now I have to wait 2-3 more weeks (a real bummer, those things always happen to me

) so now I'm still using the Logitech Z-2300 subwoofer from my set. Works fine for now though...

Thanks again for helping me out, I rly could have done this all without you guys I appreciate it.

Here are some photos of how my new setup looks now and of how my complete desk line-up is.
Hope you guys like it, atleast I do xD

 

[Armaegis]

Ah, but how does it sound?