Question reagrding setup upgrade DAC/Amp to speaker Amp

[powei0925]

I am deciding upgrades to my headphone DAC/Amp, and am considering a headphone DAC/Amp like Fostex HPA4. My dilemma is that is my future upgrades would very likely include passive speakers that would likely exceed power beyond which a headphone DAC/Amp can provide. A headphone DAC/Amp like HPA4 has no co-ax out and would output analog signal already Amplified internally. To power the speakers require dedicated speaker power Amp, which would amplify the already amplified analog signal of the DAC/Amp. Theoratically, the less steps it takes for audio to get from PC to ear, the better the audio fidelity. (Am I Correct?) The question is, knowing that, would separate headphone DAC and Amp combined with speaker Amp be more preferrable to adding a speaker Amp to a headphone DAC/Amp?
Which signal path is better?
PC -> headphone DAC/Amp -> speaker Amp -> speaker (Amplifed Twice?)
PC -> headphone DAC         -> speaker Amp -> speaker (Amplifed Once)

 

[PurpleAngel]

Budget for everything?
 
I prefer powered studio monitors, I like detail in the audio.

 

[powei0925]

It's kind of a RPG mentality. If I know I'm going deep into audio enthusiast products, I might as well plan ahead and avoid buying products that I don't need and worry about redundancy within my systems. Also, if I know what types of products I need, it's better to wait around for a cheaper deal while saving up.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by powei0925 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I am deciding upgrades to my headphone DAC/Amp, and am considering a headphone DAC/Amp like Fostex HPA4. My dilemma is that is my future upgrades would very likely include passive speakers that would likely exceed power beyond which a headphone DAC/Amp can provide. A headphone DAC/Amp like HPA4 has no co-ax out and would output analog signal already Amplified internally. To power the speakers require dedicated speaker power Amp, which would amplify the already amplified analog signal of the DAC/Amp. Theoratically, the less steps it takes for audio to get from PC to ear, the better the audio fidelity. (Am I Correct?) The question is, knowing that, would separate headphone DAC and Amp combined with speaker Amp be more preferrable to adding a speaker Amp to a headphone DAC/Amp?

Which signal path is better?

PC -> headphone DAC/Amp -> speaker Amp -> speaker (Amplifed Twice?)
PC -> headphone DAC         -> speaker Amp -> speaker (Amplifed Once)

 

Whether it gets amplified twice or not depends on what kinds of inputs and outputs your equipment have. Normally the easiest way to integrate speakers and headphones is to use a DAC-HPamp or HPamp with a preamplifier output to active speakers.

 

That however isn't the only way to do it, rather that is only the most common way of doing so on this forum because the headphones are usually the primary (this is, after all, Head-Fi), and the powered studio monitors are nearfield systems that work best in a desktop sete-up. For those with an existing and conventional passive speaker system who want to use headphones that require amplifiers, or prefer using passive speakers but want to use headphones, the options are:

 

1) Use a DAC or HPamp or DAC-HPamp to feed a preamp signal to a pure power amp that will drive speakers. Power amps like the NAD 214 have no preamp circuits - just the power amp stage and usually oversized power supplies.

 

2) Use a traditional design integrated amplifier and then connect a headphone amplifier to the Tape Out or Rec Out. This will not affect the output and effectively works like a switcher. If you are using speakers, then don't power on the headphone amp. If you're using headphones, no need to power on the speaker amp.