Doku
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2010
- Posts
- 50
- Likes
- 10
Hey guys,
I've had a set of the original Klipsch Promedia 4.1 series since their introduction back in 2002. I had a staticy volume knob but dealt with it. Now I'm trying to replace them with something even better. I'm looking for controlled sound. Possibly studio monitors.
DAC:
I'm getting into Hi-Res music and I really would like to get an external USB DAC that can support higher than CD Audio quality. Also, I was looking for one that had both a headphone jack on the front for my Sennheisers and something on the back to go to an amp. After looking around, it seems like the Audioengine D1 is a highly recommended DAC that is at a good price point. I have the money to pay for Fireflies or something, but they seem to be very headphone focused and I'm just not sure I'm going to notice the difference between 24bit / 96Khz and 32bit/192Khz (or even how often I could source 32bit/192khz). So, even though the DAC has to downsample 24/192 to 24/96, I think I'm OK with that. I only have a few albums in DSD 2.8 anyway and I might just start buying 24/192 PCM instead.
I also considered getting the Sony UDA-1/B. It's really odd tho. It's pretty expensive and has an fairly low powered amp built into it, but it does support every possible high res format I could get my hands on. Maybe it would be good to use it to power a pair of my old Klipsch speakers or something.
Speakers:
I wanted to take advantage of the sale on the Klipsch Reference II RB-61 at first, but after looking at amps for a while it seemed like they would be overkill. I noticed the Audioengine 5+ seemed to have it all with the amp built in and stuff. And it seems to pair pretty naturally with the D1. Other choices were the M-Audio BX8 monitors for some monitors with a wider frequency response. The Audioengine A2+ (which comes with a DAC that isn't as good as the D1?) with a sub.
Packages Considering:
Package A: AudioEngine Upgrade
DAC: Audioengine D1 $170
Amp: in the speakers
Speakers: Audioengine A5+ $400
Total: $570
Pros: All same company, good reviews on everything, good value. Cons: Can't do all HiRes formats. Frequency response might warrant subwoofer?
Package B: Sony brand whore ( I use a lot of Sony products... )
DAC: Sony UDA-1/B $800
Amp: In the DAC
Speakers: Existing Speakers? Klipsch Reference II RB-41 + some kind of subwoofer?
Total $800 + $200 (Klipsch?)
Pros: Plays all HiRes formats, DAC and amp in one for lower power computer speakers? Cons: Expensive. Can't figure out a speaker setup.
Package C: More classic PC style?
DAC: Asus Xonar Essence STX $170
Amp: In the speakers
Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 $130 (or repair my 4.1 setup)
Total $170 - $300
Pros: Plays everything but DSD. I really liked my old Klipsch 4.1 which I always ran in 2.1 mode anyway, why mess up a good (cheap) thing?
Also, when I was into car audio I really liked the sound of Focal speakers. Looking into the desktop market it seems like they have a few like the Focal Alpha 65. Anyone know if these warrant the high price?
I've had a set of the original Klipsch Promedia 4.1 series since their introduction back in 2002. I had a staticy volume knob but dealt with it. Now I'm trying to replace them with something even better. I'm looking for controlled sound. Possibly studio monitors.
DAC:
I'm getting into Hi-Res music and I really would like to get an external USB DAC that can support higher than CD Audio quality. Also, I was looking for one that had both a headphone jack on the front for my Sennheisers and something on the back to go to an amp. After looking around, it seems like the Audioengine D1 is a highly recommended DAC that is at a good price point. I have the money to pay for Fireflies or something, but they seem to be very headphone focused and I'm just not sure I'm going to notice the difference between 24bit / 96Khz and 32bit/192Khz (or even how often I could source 32bit/192khz). So, even though the DAC has to downsample 24/192 to 24/96, I think I'm OK with that. I only have a few albums in DSD 2.8 anyway and I might just start buying 24/192 PCM instead.
I also considered getting the Sony UDA-1/B. It's really odd tho. It's pretty expensive and has an fairly low powered amp built into it, but it does support every possible high res format I could get my hands on. Maybe it would be good to use it to power a pair of my old Klipsch speakers or something.
Speakers:
I wanted to take advantage of the sale on the Klipsch Reference II RB-61 at first, but after looking at amps for a while it seemed like they would be overkill. I noticed the Audioengine 5+ seemed to have it all with the amp built in and stuff. And it seems to pair pretty naturally with the D1. Other choices were the M-Audio BX8 monitors for some monitors with a wider frequency response. The Audioengine A2+ (which comes with a DAC that isn't as good as the D1?) with a sub.
Packages Considering:
Package A: AudioEngine Upgrade
DAC: Audioengine D1 $170
Amp: in the speakers
Speakers: Audioengine A5+ $400
Total: $570
Pros: All same company, good reviews on everything, good value. Cons: Can't do all HiRes formats. Frequency response might warrant subwoofer?
Package B: Sony brand whore ( I use a lot of Sony products... )
DAC: Sony UDA-1/B $800
Amp: In the DAC
Speakers: Existing Speakers? Klipsch Reference II RB-41 + some kind of subwoofer?
Total $800 + $200 (Klipsch?)
Pros: Plays all HiRes formats, DAC and amp in one for lower power computer speakers? Cons: Expensive. Can't figure out a speaker setup.
Package C: More classic PC style?
DAC: Asus Xonar Essence STX $170
Amp: In the speakers
Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 $130 (or repair my 4.1 setup)
Total $170 - $300
Pros: Plays everything but DSD. I really liked my old Klipsch 4.1 which I always ran in 2.1 mode anyway, why mess up a good (cheap) thing?
Also, when I was into car audio I really liked the sound of Focal speakers. Looking into the desktop market it seems like they have a few like the Focal Alpha 65. Anyone know if these warrant the high price?