[VicAnd]

Hello everyone. I built my first computer a couple weeks ago, and couldn't be happier with its performance. The audio coming out of the integrated speakers on my monitor, however, is pretty bad. I've been looking around and after reading a few guides, I am hoping to get some feedback on the setup I'm looking to put together. My main use for the system will be listening to music. I listen to a wide variety of genres, but have a strong inclination towards bass-rich music (house, techno, etc).
 
Here are my top choices thus far:
 
DAC: I have a motherboard with optical audio, so I think I would benefit from getting a Schiit Modi DAC (http://tinyurl.com/qjc2x9u) and connect it via the optical connector on my board. I think this will also allow me to use the setup with my TV and other devices if need be.
 
Speakers: I was looking at the M-Audio AV 40 (http://tinyurl.com/mz6lg5a). They have great reviews and look great.
 
Sub-woofer: Finally, I was looking at the Dayton Audio SUB-1200 (http://tinyurl.com/n87k48s).
 
I would appreciate any comments/suggestions on this setup and any other options in the same price range (~$400). I'm also wondering, how would I go about connecting all of these together? I know I would use the optical connector from by board to the Modi, then a RCA cable form the Modi to the sub-woofer. The sub-woofer has an output for speakers using regular speaker cable, but the AV 40 speakers have a RCA line in and another TRS input (which I'm not familiar with) . Would I use an adapter of some sort, or is there a better way of doing it?
 
Thanks!

 

[JRG1990]

That sub won't connect to them speakers you need to find a sub with a low level pass thru rca or xlr ins and outs, or get passive speakers instead.

 

[listen4joy]

KEFF Q300
ADAM F5
JBL LSR305
AUDIOENGINE A2+/A5+

 

[Astrozombie]

Wharfedale?

 

[cel4145]

The speaker output on the sub is just a pass through. So you would have to have a speaker amp and run the speaker level connections to the speaker inputs on the sub to use that.

What you need is a splitter to run the RCA output of the DAC to both the speakers and the AV40s.

 

[ab initio]

  Hello everyone. I built my first computer a couple weeks ago, and couldn't be happier with its performance. The audio coming out of the integrated speakers on my monitor, however, is pretty bad. I've been looking around and after reading a few guides, I am hoping to get some feedback on the setup I'm looking to put together. My main use for the system will be listening to music. I listen to a wide variety of genres, but have a strong inclination towards bass-rich music (house, techno, etc).
 
Here are my top choices thus far:
 
DAC: I have a motherboard with optical audio, so I think I would benefit from getting a Schiit Modi DAC (http://tinyurl.com/qjc2x9u) and connect it via the optical connector on my board. I think this will also allow me to use the setup with my TV and other devices if need be.
 
Speakers: I was looking at the M-Audio AV 40 (http://tinyurl.com/mz6lg5a). They have great reviews and look great.
 
Sub-woofer: Finally, I was looking at the Dayton Audio SUB-1200 (http://tinyurl.com/n87k48s).
 
I would appreciate any comments/suggestions on this setup and any other options in the same price range (~$400). I'm also wondering, how would I go about connecting all of these together? I know I would use the optical connector from by board to the Modi, then a RCA cable form the Modi to the sub-woofer. The sub-woofer has an output for speakers using regular speaker cable, but the AV 40 speakers have a RCA line in and another TRS input (which I'm not familiar with) . Would I use an adapter of some sort, or is there a better way of doing it?
 
Thanks!

Just to throw another idea out there, I have a 2.1 setup using a USB modi from my computer which feeds a stereo 2-way crossover (dbx 223xs) which in turn feeds the high pass to powered monitors (Samson mediaone4a) and the low pass to a powered sub (Samson Resolv120a).
 
I think the DAC+Monitors+Sub are about $99+$100+$230, however, I think the MediaOne4a's have been replaced by a newer version with additional bluetooth capability.
 
I personally like the addition of the active crossover which blocks the low frequencies from being sent to the speakers, drastically reducing the speaker cone excursion. I'll let the other folks here weigh in on whether or not they think the extra $140 for the active crossover is money well spent for a 2.1 system. It may be worth mentioning that proaudio crossovers may necessitate the use of rca-to-xlr or rca-to-trs cables (such as this)
 
Cheers

 

[JRG1990]

Behringer also do a crossover for a bit less http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-CX2310-Stereo-Frequency-Crossover/dp/B0002Z82LM/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1401023692&sr=1-1&keywords=behringer+crossover , I don't think the newer samson monitors are as good as the old 1's, I had the resolv 120a its a strong sub for its size but i always thought it sounded a bit rumbley.

 

[PeterPangea]

I'm going to throw the Paradigm Millenia CTs into the mix as well. I found them to be very resolving of details and the package itself is very well integrated. I have one for my computer setup and am very pleased.