I changed my mind, now I want passive desktop speakers, and a desktop DAC/AMP, please recommend.

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Gatecrasher3000

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So the other day I created an post asking for the best powered bookshelf speakers, but after doing my homework it would seem the better option for me would be to get a desktop amp/dac and passive speakers, this way I will also have a headphone amp, something I have also been looking into.

So could you guys please recommend a great desktop amp/dac, and if you have time, your choice for bookshelf/desktop speakers?

So far, I have found this, however I would like something with a little more power
https://www.planetofsoundonline.com...s/teac-ai-101da-integrated-amplifier-with-dac

Looking to spend under $700

Thank you!
 
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It sounds like you want a compact all-in-one integrated amp here... hmm.

Well since you've already linked the Teac 101DA:

The Teac 301da is $325... more power (rated 22w / 43w continuous power at 8ohms / 4 ohms), similar size: https://www.amazon.com/Teac-AI-301DA-BK-Integrated-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B00L9FRJVS/ - but I think it's slightly older because the TEAC spec page says it supports Bluetooth 2.1 vs 3.0 on the 101DA.

For $400, there is the NAD D 3020, which is rated at 30w at 8 ohms: https://www.cnet.com/products/nad-d-3020/review/

It's convenient to have everything in 1 box, but if you're open to separate parts there are a bunch of options. The Dayton DTA-120 is a compact desktop amp with a bit more power (60w/40w continuous at 4/8 ohms), and it's $80 - $105 (on sale direct from partsExpress for $78 right now, but there will likely be shipping).

The FX Audio D802 and D802C (with bluetooth) can do it all except for the headphone output for $110 / $135. I wonder how powerful it really is though.

Of course more power would be available from a regular-sized amp, like the Behringer A500 ($200; 120w / 180w tested clean at 8/4 ohms) or even some of the more beefy receivers.

https://www.cnet.com/products/elac-uni-fi-ub5/2/ - This review of the Elac Uni-Fi UB5 suggests that the speakers benefited from more power.

Then there are a bunch of DAC/Headphone-Amp combos available at different price points... Some examples: Micca Origen+ at $110, Schiit Modi 2 + Magni 2 combo or Odac / Oamp combo at less than $300, or Schiit Jotunheim for $500.

Passive speakers? Maybe Elac B6 for $280 / pair ? and then the B5 I guess if you need something smaller.
 
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There's another way, you could try to go as far as you can with the speakers, and start with a cheap receiver on craiglist ($30?) and save up money for a better (read: more trendly looking) amp/dac setup later.

You could say, drop 95% of your budget on speakers and hit up craigslist or ebay for a cheapo receiver. Hell you can get some crazy good older gear, a mid-2000s receiver with HDMI 1.3 like a Onkyo TX-SR805 goes for like $100 on ebay these days, and that was a 55lb monster that put out > 300W/channel into 4 ohms at under 0.1% THD in 2-channel.

As far as speakers go, I believe the best value currently is Ascend Acoustics, if you factor in warranty. There are a few companies that provide a slightly better value (like Philharmonic or Selah) but a 5 year transferable warranty with full parts coverage with shipping covered is hard to pass up.

I feel the Sierra 1 and 2 are currently the best speakers at their respective price points, although when the Polk Lsim 703 goes on sale (like it is now on Adorama) for $650 it's pretty hard to beat.
 
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for passive, wharfedale diamond 220/monitor audio bronze 2/q acoustics/elac ub5, there are more are all good, note the Q and elac is rear ported need 6-12" clearance from wall.
as for amp to power these do you want it big amp or compact size. the trade off is the compact size doesn't provide much power but you only need 30w at near field

class D-amp
teac al-101da
SMSL SA50+ur choice of DAC or use onboard PC one
Dayton Audio amp
Emotiva

class AB amp
full size receiver/amp
ONKY Tx8160 network receiver
Yamaha RN-xxx
Yamaha AS-xxx


if you want use amp for headphone, I would not recommend the full size receiver as the headphone in usually 1/4 inch and has high impedance.

you can still use Active monitor W/RCA in or line in, and w/ headphone amp that HAS RCA/direct Line output

take look at this guide
https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/
 
Commander Shepard said:
What's your overall budget? I recently went through the same process for a DAC and amp; already had my speakers and subwoofer. My budget was $800. Ended up spending more than double. :jawdrop: :eek: :banghead:

For reference: https://hardforum.com/threads/good-dac-power-amp-combo-under-800.1918722/

Schiit makes some very well-regarded DACs and amps. http://schiit.com/
Click to expand...

Looking to spend $700 total. Cool thanks, I will go through your post. Seems like everytime I think I know what Im going to get I read a post like yours that has all these recommendations, and I end up having more questions then answers. I was looking at Schiit, here comes a noob question: why do schiit amps all seems to have rca outputs, how do you connect rca outputs to speakers that use speaker wire inputs? I thought I would need something that uses this type of output, that uses speaker wire.
https://www.planetofsoundonline.com...s/teac-ai-101da-integrated-amplifier-with-dac

Archmage said:
It sounds like you want a compact all-in-one integrated amp here... hmm.
Click to expand...

Yes, a single all in one system, and would need it to have a small footprint as thats all my desk allows, I would look at full size amps otherwise. The Teac AI-301DA is exactly what Im looking for, hits all the check boxes, but I keep reading mixed reviews about it, that its soft in its responsiveness. I would need a sharp punchy amp, because Im going to be gaming with it. Yeah I know, it would have been perfect. I think Im going to go with these speakers, my friend has them and he says they are great, plus they come in white https://totemacoustic.com/en/mite


HammerSandwich said:
Yes, this.

AT $500-1000, I'd pair a dac/headamp (Emotiva DC-1, Schiit stack, etc.) with LSR305s or Vanatoos. If you're 100% set on passive speakers, choose them BEFORE the amp.
Click to expand...

If I choose to go powered speakers, and I still might, I will get the Vantoos. However I would still like to have the passive speaker / amp and dac all in one option. Cool, I will need to check these all out. ty


pippenainteasy said:
There's another way, you could try to go as far as you can with the speakers, and start with a cheap receiver on craiglist ($30?) and save up money for a better (read: more trendly looking) amp/dac setup later.

You could say, drop 95% of your budget on speakers and hit up craigslist or ebay for a cheapo receiver. Hell you can get some crazy good older gear, a mid-2000s receiver with HDMI 1.3 like a Onkyo TX-SR805 goes for like $100 on ebay these days, and that was a 55lb monster that put out > 300W/channel into 4 ohms at under 0.1% THD in 2-channel.

As far as speakers go, I believe the best value currently is Ascend Acoustics, if you factor in warranty. There are a few companies that provide a slightly better value (like Philharmonic or Selah) but a 5 year transferable warranty with full parts coverage with shipping covered is hard to pass up.

I feel the Sierra 1 and 2 are currently the best speakers at their respective price points, although when the Polk Lsim 703 goes on sale (like it is now on Adorama) for $650 it's pretty hard to beat.
Click to expand...

There is a vintage stereo store in my city that Im going to check out this week, definitely not against buying used, you problem can get something great because Audio guys upgrade their gear all the time. Awesome, I will check out those recommendations, thanks


s002wjh said:
for passive, wharfedale diamond 220/monitor audio bronze 2/q acoustics/elac ub5, there are more are all good, note the Q and elac is rear ported need 6-12" clearance from wall.
as for amp to power these do you want it big amp or compact size. the trade off is the compact size doesn't provide much power but you only need 30w at near field

class D-amp
teac al-101da
SMSL SA50+ur choice of DAC or use onboard PC one
Dayton Audio amp
Emotiva

class AB amp
full size receiver/amp
ONKY Tx8160 network receiver
Yamaha RN-xxx
Yamaha AS-xxx


if you want use amp for headphone, I would not recommend the full size receiver as the headphone in usually 1/4 inch and has high impedance.

you can still use Active monitor W/RCA in or line in, and w/ headphone amp that HAS RCA/direct Line output

take look at this guide
https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks, I will check that out tonight.

What do you guys think of this combo, I know I said I was not sure about Tech, but I think Im willing to try them out myself.
http://www.teac.com/product/ai-301da/
https://totemacoustic.com/en/mite/specifications

Thanks a ton guys.
 
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some teac are pretty good not sure about ai-301da.
you can get a separate DAC+AMP, more choice and typically better quality than a ALL in one compact DAC/AMP combo for speaker.

a dedicated headphone amp is better than speaker amp w/headphone jack.
for example
AUNE X1s + SMSL SA50, will give you a good dac/headphone amp + speaker amp.

SMSL has a lot amp/dac etc, and its good value. move up on price is schiit stuff, but less value.

never heard of Mite speaker. wharfdale diamond/elac ub5/Q acoustic/monitor audio bronze 2 are fairly well know in the industry. wharfdale is one of the oldest speaker producer in UK


http://www.head-fi.org/products/aune-x1s-32bit-384khz-dsd-dac-headphone-amplifier

http://www.whathifi.com/monitor-audio/bronze-2/review

active monitor
http://noaudiophile.com/Vanatoo_Transparent_One/
 
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I bought one of these on friday, sounds great and the reviews it gets have been really good.

I have used it on my pc also and it is class, 32bit and 786khz, its future proof.

And in april they are releasing an wifi/dlna/bluetooth/airplay/sd card reader module that just clips onto it so you can use it to stream hires audio in your home or connect to your phone via bluetooth or airplay, its a very small dac/amp, the length of a credit card and the thickness of a pack of cards, it has a 8-10 hour battery and the battery can be replaced in the future.

Have a look and see how good it is, although I am a little biased since I have one snd have been converted.

http://www.chordelectronics.co.uk/product/mojo/

Here is the addon module thats about to be released in april

http://www.chordelectronics.co.uk/product/poly/

Its a great dac thats good whilst using your pc and is small enough to use it with your phone or dap whilst you are out.
 
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Gatecrasher3000 said:
Looking to spend $700 total. Cool thanks, I will go through your post. Seems like everytime I think I know what Im going to get I read a post like yours that has all these recommendations, and I end up having more questions then answers. I was looking at Schiit, here comes a noob question: why do schiit amps all seems to have rca outputs, how do you connect rca outputs to speakers that use speaker wire inputs? I thought I would need something that uses this type of output, that uses speaker wire.
https://www.planetofsoundonline.com...s/teac-ai-101da-integrated-amplifier-with-dac

Thanks a ton guys.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the more I learn, the more it's glaringly true just how little I know about higher end audio. :p I advise against those Teac integrated amps. Lots of quality complaints with them. I use an SMSL Q5 Pro for my TV's audio. It's a great little unit. I just run a pair of Infinity Primus 163 bookshelf speakers through the Q5 and connect the TV via optical. Sounds so much better than any sound bar I've used.

You can add banana plug connectors to speaker wire so it will connect via RCA.

https://sewelldirect.com/learning-center/how-to-use-banana-plugs-with-speaker-wire
 
Commander Shepard said:
Yeah, the more I learn, the more it's glaringly true just how little I know about higher end audio. :p I advise against those Teac integrated amps. Lots of quality complaints with them. I use an SMSL Q5 Pro for my TV's audio. It's a great little unit. I just run a pair of Infinity Primus 163 bookshelf speakers through the Q5 and connect the TV via optical. Sounds so much better than any sound bar I've used.

You can add banana plug connectors to speaker wire so it will connect via RCA.

https://sewelldirect.com/learning-center/how-to-use-banana-plugs-with-speaker-wire
Click to expand...

Oh right banana clips, forgot they go into rca connections, I only ever use them in my multimeter. Cool, thanks for the link. As for schitt audio, it seems like the only item that provides a headphone amp, and a power output to speakers is their ragnarok amp, that comes in at a baller $1700. So I will need to pass on Schitt. But keep the recos coming everyone.
 
Don't use bananas with RCA. Some really cheap gear uses RCA-terminated speaker wires, but that's not proper.

You've already noted that Schiit's speaker amp uses normal binding posts. And that's what bananas are designed for.
 
^^ DOH!!! He's absolutely right. Please disregard my absurd recommendation. For some inexplicable reason, I pictured the speaker posts in my head when you mentioned RCA. Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop taking amphetamines.

Sorry 'bout that, Gate. :oops: :whistle:
 
if you use headphone, get a good headphone dac/amp with preout + class D amp such as SMSL for speaker.
 
alright guys, narrowed it down to :
Yamaha A-U671 - http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-u671/?mode=model
Soundblaster X7 - http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-x7

The Yamaha I would assume have a softer sound and it offers more power per channel. Where the Soundblaster X7 has 5.1 directional audio, and that would be great for gaming, assuming it could be with headphones. I will need to keep doing my research. Thanks for everyone for all the helpful info so far.
 
I believe the X7 limited edition comes with a beefier power adapter, and thus a more powerful amp. It's still only 6A, 24V (so a 144w power brick), and rated for 2x 50w @ 4ohms.
 
Personally I recommend seperate AMP and DAC.

For an AMP go with Parasound Zamp V.3 (a good class AB amp).

If you really want a small class D amp, go for a good one like the Matrix Mini-i AMP.
(The Mini-i AMP is smaller than the Zamp, and more power, but it also costs more!)

This give a good quality amp, then you can choose what DAC you want.

For example you could go with the low cost Schiit Modi 2 to start with, then upgrade to a better DAC later on.
 
bleagh said:
Personally I recommend seperate AMP and DAC.

For an AMP go with Parasound Zamp V.3 (a good class AB amp).

If you really want a small class D amp, go for a good one like the Matrix Mini-i AMP.
(The Mini-i AMP is smaller than the Zamp, and more power, but it also costs more!)

This give a good quality amp, then you can choose what DAC you want.

For example you could go with the low cost Schiit Modi 2 to start with, then upgrade to a better DAC later on.
Click to expand...
You don't really need a better DAC if you have really shitty entry level speakers. When a system is bottlenecked it doesn't matter how much money you put before the bottleneck.

An entry level DAC is enough for any low-end or even mid-end speakers. Only when you go to high-end you start to get more gains per dollar when upgrading a dac.
 
See my post I made asking what you think. It is the same setup you want but is maybe too much money. I regret buying floor standing speakers now because I can't use them on my PC and they are Totems. If I had bought the Totems Mites it would be no issue. Well, the speakers I am getting are supposedly better than Totem Mites so no worries.

Anyway, the Cambridge Audio I listed comes in a 60w per channel version too so would cost you less.
 
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