Help choosing DAC for Powered Monitors (KRK or AudioEngine)

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EndersShadow

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
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Hello everyone. It’s been a little bit since I posted here last.

I am going to be getting a new desk here shortly and it has very little space. As a result I may need to streamline my current office setup and need your help on figuring out the best way to do so.

Currently I have all my music on my computer and that isn’t going to change. I have it connected to a Harman Kardon 3490 receiver via coaxial. My computers motherboard does have SPDIF, but the header is broken so it’s not a viable option. From there I am using a pair of Infinity Primus P162’s as my fronts and that’s my setup.

I am thinking of selling the HK 3490 and going with a nice set of powered monitors, like the KRK Rokit 5’s, 6’s or AudioEngine A5’s. However I still need to get the audio to them either via RCA or XLR and also need a way to control the volume.

My two options that I see are either a M-Audio Firewire solo or the Musiland Monitor. I would wire the Firewire solo by going firewire to it and then go 1/4" TRS Male to XLR Male for the KRK’s or just good old RCA for the AudioEngine’s.

The Musiland Monitor would be connected via normal RCA’s to either speaker set and obviously via USB to the computer. I would still need a way to control the volume as from what I understand the software you use for the Musiland Monitor does not allow you to control volume from your computer.

Curious as to which setup would be better for me as well as which unit’s DAC’s are better. Thanks in advance!

Link to Musiland Monitor info: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/443786/musiland-monitor-02-us
Link to Firewire solo: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWireSolo.html
 
If you go with the AudioEngine A5s, you can control the volume from the speaker. Then I'd get a HRT Music Streamer II, especially due to it's asynchronous USB mode.. This is a really nice setup.

I haven't heard either of the DACs you've mentioned.
 
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persisting1 said:
If you go with the AudioEngine A5s, you can control the volume from the speaker. Then I'd get a HRT Music Streamer II, especially due to it's asynchronous USB mode.. This is a really nice setup.

I haven't heard either of the DACs you've mentioned.
Click to expand...

hehehe the Musiland Monitor is also asynchronous as well...
 
Go for it. I prefer the A5.

The HRT has a lot more reviews, but that doesn't mean the Musiland isn't a good DAC.
 
persisting1 said:
Go for it. I prefer the A5.

The HRT has a lot more reviews, but that doesn't mean the Musiland isn't a good DAC.
Click to expand...

I wasnt planning on the HRT, was thinking more about the Firewire solo since it allows me to use XLR cables. The HRT also gains me nothing over the Musiland.

How big a deal is using unbalanced RCA over something like TRS or Balanced XLR?
 
I've used RCA and XLR with good results. I wouldn't make my decision based on what connections it uses, but rather price and performance of the DAC. RCA cables are much easier and usually cheaper to come by. I wouldn't go the TRS route.

I'd get the Musiland over the Firewire.
 
persisting1 said:
I've used RCA and XLR with good results. I wouldn't make my decision based on what connections it uses, but rather price and performance of the DAC. RCA cables are much easier and usually cheaper to come by. I wouldn't go the TRS route.

I'd get the Musiland over the Firewire.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. Then I need some type of adaptor for volume control since the program for the musiland doesnt allow for volume control. I also need a headphone input since I want the option of using them.

Anyone have some suggestions?
 
Beginning to lean toward a totally different DAC, the HRT Music Streamer II. Only downfall is no headphone connector if I use the KRK's. Upside is they have more wattage than the A5's and are also front ported which matters for nearfield listening. I also would have to use RCA connections but that doesnt bother me too much on it.....

Now if I go with the AudioEngine A5's then I would get volume control @ the speaker level as well as headphone connections. But they are rear ported and not as powerful as the KRK's, and are a bit more ugly IMHO lol...

There is a chance here in the next few weeks I can get my ears on a pair of the A5's. That hopefully will help make the decision easier.
 
The longer the cables needed, the more of a difference balanced cables will make. But I agree with persisting and I used that rule when I bought my equipment.

You should also mention how and what you plan to use your setup for. Recording? Casual listening? Will you use headphones?
 
ThumperSD said:
The longer the cables needed, the more of a difference balanced cables will make. But I agree with persisting and I used that rule when I bought my equipment.

You should also mention how and what you plan to use your setup for. Recording? Casual listening? Will you use headphones?
Click to expand...

No recording, purely casual nearfield listening while on the computer. I have headphones and would like to be able to use them with whatever interface I end up with, but worst case I just connect em to the built in soundcard until I get something to solve that problem.....
 
another option is to go with a DEQ2496.. you always have the option of modding it if you want. You can use the mb optical out instead of coax and then balanced to the KRK's.

If you dont have a mixer.. for volume control, I bought a mce remote which works perfect for controlling windows volume.
 
Well, if you want balanced audio and Firewire I would look at an Echo AudioFire 2. I've got one at work and I'm quite pleased with it. Small n' simple, with really good audio quality. Has an excellent headphone out (which is what I use). I prefer Echo's hardware to M-Audio's mostly because I find Echo to have better drivers (which is a problem with pro cards).
 
magnetik said:
another option is to go with a DEQ2496.. you always have the option of modding it if you want. You can use the mb optical out instead of coax and then balanced to the KRK's.

If you dont have a mixer.. for volume control, I bought a mce remote which works perfect for controlling windows volume.
Click to expand...

LOL... I appreciate the input but but did you read my first post? The SPDIF/Optical is broke on the mobo and only the coaxial works.....its stated pretty clearly...

The volume was more that folks prefer to modify the volume in the analog and its easier to turn a knob than hit a volume up and down (which I do have on my logitech keyboard)

I am leaning toward the HRT for sure, its just a question of KRK v. A5's....thankfully I am hopefully going to get my ears on some A5's shortly...
 
I have krk rp6g2. listened with my tascam US144 mk2 and friends creative emu 0404 usb. compared to my titanium x-fi with line-out to two XLR the difference was so infinitesimal that i see no reason to spend big money on a DAC. My friend agreed. People love making a big deal about DACs but i think they let their mind get in the way of things, and they cannot confront the fact that they just dropped immense amounts of money on something for no reason. The only reason im not returning my tascam US144 is it has volume knob, and phantom power for my mic for room EQ wizard.

Basically buy this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002P3KINE

Also the choice is simple between A5 and KRK... KRKs. Much much better amps. Theyre a step above the audio engine in every category.
 
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0055 said:
I have krk rp6g2. listened with my tascam US144 mk2 and friends creative emu 0404 usb. compared to my titanium x-fi with line-out to two XLR the difference was so infinitesimal that i see no reason to spend big money on a DAC. My friend agreed. People love making a big deal about DACs but i think they let their mind get in the way of things, and they cannot confront the fact that they just dropped immense amounts of money on something for no reason. The only reason im not returning my tascam US144 is it has volume knob, and phantom power for my mic for room EQ wizard.

Basically buy this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002P3KINE

Also the choice is simple between A5 and KRK... KRKs. Much much better amps. Theyre a step above the audio engine in every category.
Click to expand...

You do realize that the DAC that he wants is cheaper than the interface that he wants, right?
 
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ThumperSD said:
You do realize that the DAC that he wants is cheaper than the interface that he wants, right?
Click to expand...

alrighty?

another bit of advice: if you buy a DAC (and it should have a damn volume knob...) then you should be able to return it, and try to actually put some effort into doing some listening tests.
 
Don't get caught up in the numbers game. Not sure how one speaker has more "power" over the other. The frequency response is close enough to not really make a difference.
One goes a little lower than the other and one has a "better" tweeter. What you should do is try to listen to each and make your decision based on what sounds best to you.

Front ports are important when the speaker is close to a wall. Other than that, you can have a rear porter near field speaker if you have some room behind them.
If not, you can always treat the wall behind the speakers. Either way, both speakers will sound great.

EndersShadow said:
Beginning to lean toward a totally different DAC, the HRT Music Streamer II. Only downfall is no headphone connector if I use the KRK's. Upside is they have more wattage than the A5's and are also front ported which matters for nearfield listening. I also would have to use RCA connections but that doesnt bother me too much on it.....

Now if I go with the AudioEngine A5's then I would get volume control @ the speaker level as well as headphone connections. But they are rear ported and not as powerful as the KRK's, and are a bit more ugly IMHO lol...

There is a chance here in the next few weeks I can get my ears on a pair of the A5's. That hopefully will help make the decision easier.
Click to expand...
 
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I've listened to a AudioEngine A5 paired with a HRT Streamer II and I was really surprised how good it sounded. Made me think twice about my setup that I spent much more on.
 
persisting1 said:
What you should do is try to listen to each and make your decision based on what sounds best to you.

Front ports are important when the speaker is close to a wall. Other than that, you can have a rear porter near field speaker if you have some room behind them.
If not, you can always treat the wall behind the speakers. Either way, both speakers will sound great.
Click to expand...

Yeah thats why I am leaning toward the KRK's, I have very little space behind my current speakers (Infinity Primus 162's) and I purchased them specifically because they are front ported.

persisting1 said:
I've listened to a AudioEngine A5 paired with a HRT Streamer II and I was really surprised how good it sounded. Made me think twice about my setup that I spent much more on.
Click to expand...

Yeah I am hoping to get my ears on some A5's in a couple weeks at a get together...

0055 said:
alrighty?

another bit of advice: if you buy a DAC (and it should have a damn volume knob...) then you should be able to return it, and try to actually put some effort into doing some listening tests.
Click to expand...

I agree on the volume knob, but my first priority is sound quality. From what I read the UDac2 is good, but not as good as the HRT Streamer. The HRT also allows you to see what the bitrate is on what your listening to which is nice.

Regarding putting effort into some listening tests this isnt my first run at Powered Monitors. I have listened to KRK Rokit 5's, 6's Behringer Truths, M-Audio Bx5a's and a host of other powered speakers many times. Unfortunately you cannot listen to the Audioengine's w/o purchasing them since I dont have any close local vendors that carry them. Hence me asking about them here. The only vendor for the entire state is about 1.5 hours away and honestly not sure its worth the drive just to listen to them....

That and I dont know many folks that can afford to purchase both sets to do A+B listening tests, I know I sure dont have an extra 700+ sitting around....
 
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I have narrowed it down to the HRT Media Streamer OR the Audinst HUD-MX1. The Audinst gives me the same asyncronus USB as the HRT, and also adds volume control and a powered headphone amp....

So what I need to figure out is if I want to go w/ the better DAC (which is the HRT) and just either deal with the volume control and headphones through windows or an external device....

Or

Go with a lesser DAC (the Audinst HUD-MX1) which costs more (~179), but adds in the volume control & headphone jacks.....
 
I've been reading some good things about the Audinst HUD-MX. You'll have enough good DACs to chose from. Any of them will work well. I wouldn't spend anymore than $200.

Just make sure it's a reputable company that you can return the DAC or get it repaired.
 
persisting1 said:
@EndersShadow.

Don't hate me, but for that price, you have a lot of choices for great DACs.

The Maverick Audio DAC is popular.
http://www.mav-audio.com/base/product/tube_magic_d1

On Audiogon, there's a HRT Music Steamer + for sale. You'll save a lot.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1303133226&/HRT-Music-Streamer-+-

The Yulong U100 is supposed to be promising.
http://www.headfonia.com/the-new-recommendation-the-yulong-u100-usb-dac/
Click to expand...

persisting1 said:
I've been reading some good things about the Audinst HUD-MX. You'll have enough good DACs to chose from. Any of them will work well. I wouldn't spend anymore than $200.

Just make sure it's a reputable company that you can return the DAC or get it repaired.
Click to expand...

I have looked at all of those today as well :). I like the Audinst but they write in the review the DAC in the HRT is better so that kinda turns me off a bit...

The Maverick Audio DAC does look interesting. My only question is if its Asynchronous USB or not...Only problems I see is here:
There was information in this thread to get 24-Bit / 96kHz supposedly bit-perfect working with the USB on the D1. It has since been discovered that even though the rate can be changed, there's some kind of hardware issue (either design or chip limitation) and only 16-Bit / 48kHz is being sent to the DAC itself. Because of this, any other format that's sent through USB is resampled to that. Depending on the format you send, it may noticeably degrade audio quality. However, it should be bit-perfect if you send 16-Bit / 48kHz but there's no real way of knowing.
All of the old information from this thread on USB input can be found here:
Click to expand...

I am looking at about 200ish for the DAC and then its just if I go with the KRK Rokit 5's, Swan D1080MKII's, or the A5's....
 
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I've heard the Swans. The tweeter is a little bright compared to the A5s. If you like a bright tweeter, then you'll like the Swans. They also lack a little in bass, but are a nice set of speakers.
 
Yea Id be careful about the uDAC2. I heard the EMU 0404 is good and it has balanced outputs. I ultimately ended up getting the Musiland 02 because it seems most guys over @ head-fi prefer it over similarly priced DACs. Not having a volume knob can get annoying though but like you, sound quality > convenience.

persisting1 said:
Don't get caught up in the numbers game. Not sure how one speaker has more "power" over the other. The frequency response is close enough to not really make a difference.
One goes a little lower than the other and one has a "better" tweeter. What you should do is try to listen to each and make your decision based on what sounds best to you.

Front ports are important when the speaker is close to a wall. Other than that, you can have a rear porter near field speaker if you have some room behind them.
If not, you can always treat the wall behind the speakers. Either way, both speakers will sound great.
Click to expand...
This. Numbers wont tell you what sounds better.
 
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