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All righty then, I'm looking to clear out my PCI-E slot that is currently occupied by my soundcard. My Mobo has S/PDIF out so I'm going to work with that. I do not want a USB based DAC, or one based on IEEE 1394. I've already got one of those and I use it to drive my headphones.
So, the basic requirement is for it to accept 2CH S/PDIF and output 2CH analog. Simple enough, as I do something similar with a Fiio D3 for my TV. However, I'm looking into upgrading my speakers while keeping them about the same size. I currently have a 2.1 Logitech system. It does what I ask it to do. Youtube, background music when I'm browsing the web, and games. If I need better sound I just use my headphones.
I've been contemplating the jump to passive speakers, but this turned out harder than I'd thought it to be. First off, the speakers have to be small. About the only ones I've found that are small enough are something like a pair of Orb Audio Quick Pack. As I understand the things are about grapefruit sized. Perfect fit for the desktop. Only problem is they don't go too low, only down to about 80Hz. So, I'd want to fill in the gap with a sub. Now, this again does bring up an interesting problem too. See, a DAC isn't too hard to come by itself, but something more like an integrated Amp with a DAC built in is apparently near impossible to find. The only one that I could find that fit the bill was the NuForce DIA. Seems pretty much ideal for exactly what I want to do if I go the passive route.
With that all being said I'm basically looking for suggestions for a small speaker setup for my desktop. Sound quality doesn't have to be amazing, just has to sound decent, and work. Now, let me define decent as everybody has different definitions for such things. I consider decent where I can get a pretty good idea of the overall sound. I don't need to be able to peer into the very bowels of the sound. I just need a pleasant presentation of it. Oh and of course the budget. There really is no set budget per se. I mean a pair of those Orbs is about $240 and the NuForce DIA is like $300. So, kind of use that as a guide.
So, the basic requirement is for it to accept 2CH S/PDIF and output 2CH analog. Simple enough, as I do something similar with a Fiio D3 for my TV. However, I'm looking into upgrading my speakers while keeping them about the same size. I currently have a 2.1 Logitech system. It does what I ask it to do. Youtube, background music when I'm browsing the web, and games. If I need better sound I just use my headphones.
I've been contemplating the jump to passive speakers, but this turned out harder than I'd thought it to be. First off, the speakers have to be small. About the only ones I've found that are small enough are something like a pair of Orb Audio Quick Pack. As I understand the things are about grapefruit sized. Perfect fit for the desktop. Only problem is they don't go too low, only down to about 80Hz. So, I'd want to fill in the gap with a sub. Now, this again does bring up an interesting problem too. See, a DAC isn't too hard to come by itself, but something more like an integrated Amp with a DAC built in is apparently near impossible to find. The only one that I could find that fit the bill was the NuForce DIA. Seems pretty much ideal for exactly what I want to do if I go the passive route.
With that all being said I'm basically looking for suggestions for a small speaker setup for my desktop. Sound quality doesn't have to be amazing, just has to sound decent, and work. Now, let me define decent as everybody has different definitions for such things. I consider decent where I can get a pretty good idea of the overall sound. I don't need to be able to peer into the very bowels of the sound. I just need a pleasant presentation of it. Oh and of course the budget. There really is no set budget per se. I mean a pair of those Orbs is about $240 and the NuForce DIA is like $300. So, kind of use that as a guide.
