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Thoughts on Audioengine D1/A2 combo or A5+

M

mtbush

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Right now I'm torn either between the D1/A2 combo, or sticking with onboard sound (ALC889) and going with the A5+. These will be hooked up to the desktop in my signature and will be used mostly for music (electronic, metal) and gaming. I've also thought about an N22/P4 combo, but from what I understand the N22 only functions as an amp and not a DAC, therefore I will have to continue to use onboard sound.

Some guidance would be appreciated, thanks.
 
I just got the Audioengine A2's as night-time music speakers. They sound very good and have more bottom end than I thought they would but you'd definitely want a sub if your going to use them as mains. The A5+ wouldn't need the sub quite so much and most onboard sound these days are more than acceptable. I'd probably get the A5's in your position. I'd still throw a good sub in down the line though, regardless of which you get :)

http://www.valvetime.net/attachments/img_2075-jpg.23989/
http://www.valvetime.net/attachments/img_2074-jpg.23990/
http://www.valvetime.net/attachments/img_2073-jpg.23987/
 
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The D1 is a pretty good DAC. My setup is D1 > emotiva mini-x a-100 (power amp) > Arx a1b and it sounds pretty damn good. The A5+ are great, but the DAC is going to give you a pretty solid improvement over your onboard sound.
 
The D1 is a decent DAC. That said, I sold mine because I prefer the JDS Labs version of the ODAC.
 
I love my D1. Still going strong , I tried the ODAC but found it quite flat and while that's ultimately what some people want I find I like the sound signature of the D1 better.

So I recommend the D1.
 
I don't find the ODAC flat, but I do agree that it is more neutral or "less warm" than other DACs I have owned.
 
The last 4 posts illustrate why onboard is mostly fine these days :p

Get decent speakers and use the equalizer to tune to your tastes. THEN start adding the luxury components once your baseline is good enough. Great speakers with an average DAC is better than a great DAC with average speakers.
 
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I've heard both the A2 and the A5, and I would highly suggest you go for the A5. You will gain more of an audible benefit from switching from the A2 to the A5 than you would upgrading from your on-board to D1. I'm not sure why people are recommending a DAC upgrade over a speaker upgrade.
 
Lots of good information here, I appreciate all the feedback. What if I were to go with the recently released Soundblaster Z as opposed to the D1. How would that fair with the A2's or A5's, would it provide better sound quality than the D1?
 
I am in love with the Maggie sound. I have used the MMGW's as a computer setup mounted to the wall about 4 feet from my head. They did fine, ended up using Paradigm Titans because I got sick of moving the Maggies with me. They are a pain to move.
 
Yea, correct me if I'm wrong but...

Don't planar speakers generally require a pretty decent amp to power them? He'd need an amp to go with those speakers, and probably a DAC to get sound to the amp! So you're suggesting boutique (also requiring wall mounting) speakers, and an amplifier, and a DAC to a guy that sounds like he's on a budget and probably isn't all that familiar with audio setups either?

You don't think small, I'll give you that :)
 
Just pointing out there are other options. It may be on the absurd end, but if you are willing to spend the time you can find deals on craigslist. I paid less than half of msrp for my MMG's, but I was willing to wait for the right deal. I also ran them off a Yamaha RXV-590 I picked up for 20 bucks used. Maggies don't take all that much power, they will work fine off 25 wrms.

Maybe look for some Paradigm Titans used, great price to value comparison. I might consider selling mine, but I am in Sweden and they are in Ohio.

Here is a pair priced reasonably: http://www.ebay.com/itm/paradigm-ti...35?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item20cf6153d3

Pick up a decent used receiver, and used dac and you have a setup I think outclasses the A5 by a fair margin for less money.
 
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Rational said:
Just pointing out there are other options. It may be on the absurd end, but if you are willing to spend the time you can find deals on craigslist. I paid less than half of msrp for my MMG's, but I was willing to wait for the right deal. I also ran them off a Yamaha RXV-590 I picked up for 20 bucks used. Maggies don't take all that much power, they will work fine off 25 wrms.

Pick up a decent used receiver, and used dac and you have a setup I think outclasses the A5 by a fair margin for less money.
Click to expand...

There's always other options but I'm not sure that going to a full receiver/dac/speaker setup is really a reasonable option given the current choices. Have you heard the A5?
 
I owned a pair for about 4 days before they went back. I think the bass response is overly exaggerated in an extremely unpleasant way. To me (disclaimer: opinion to follow) they are the beats of desktop speakers. All style, little substance, and overpriced.

*edit* I really wanted to like them because they take up less desk space than my current setup and they are pretty, just could not get into them. I might also add they have a sound I would have liked when I was younger and listened to more bass-heavy music.
 
Can we please keep it on topic? My spidey sense is tingling, is that a thread derail I detect? While I appreciate the suggestion of the planar speakers it's not even close to what I'm looking for...
 
many of us have gone small T-amp + bookshelf speakers and subwoofer (or not) route


this can be done super cheaply (LP-2020A+) $20 (however it is worth spending a few bucks on a 5A or higher psu for the lepai's they ship with a 2A wallwart that tends to hobble the performance)


or ... you could just get a nice t-amp (I have a SMSL SA-S3 $60 shipped from ebay) or many have the Dayton DTA-100a or topping t-amps..

pretty much any of these will have a psu that is about 4A which is pretty much good enough (i replaced the liteon 4A psu that shipped with my SA-S3 w/ a 6A psu and it honestly didn't make much difference at all..but whatever)


and then bookshelf speakers options are nearly limitless .. I have used Polk Monitor 30s with my t-amp with great success.. but the 30's are replaced now but the 35b's which seem to be selling for more than the 30s did (about $140 I think @ newegg but frequently on sale for $120~)

many have used Pioneer Bookshelf speakers generally available on sale pretty frequently newegg doesn't seem to have them listed right now however.

or of course Dayton B652's

http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-B652-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B002RMPHMU/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_y



or since you seem to have some budget you could also look at Mourant Short Carnival 1 or 2's or Cambridge S30 or

even maybe Arx A1B
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/prod...nitor-loudspeaker&cPath=21_32&products_id=65&



or ??? many other speakers

you could also try to look for deals on used speakers I have a Pair of $800 when new JBL L1 bookshelf speakers that I paid $40 for the pair.. and I am listening to these now and I love these things.

I am driving the JBL's with a vintage Pioneer integrated Amp i paid $20 and I have a $80 (sale) Polk PSW10 subwoofer hooked up as well.


or you know you could just rock the audioengine A5+ not a bad choice either... if you have a guitarcenter near by you can here one of my favorite (if rather ugly quite honestly) powered monitor speaker Tannoy Reveal 501A

http://www.amazon.com/Tannoy-Reveal...&qid=1361325308&sr=1-1&keywords=Tannoy+reveal


I really like the sound from these Tannoy's personally.
 
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Sorry, didn't mean to stray off topic. I wish you the best in your pursuit. Audio equipment intrinsically has a subjective aspect. Based on your preferred music, I don't think you will enjoy the A5 (can't comment on the rest of the line), the tweeters in the A5 are more-than-likely cheaply produced drivers with a sky high Fs which will result in poor high frequency reproduction, which will get noticeably worse at higher volumes. However, everyone has different taste and ears.

If you are looking for a simple all-in-one solution, I can't think of a better option than the Audioengines, if you can deal with a wire rat nest, and have the space for a receiver and passives go that way you will likely be happier.

Worst case you buy them from Amazon or direct, and return them if you don't like them.
 
Rational said:
Sorry, didn't mean to stray off topic. I wish you the best in your pursuit. Audio equipment intrinsically has a subjective aspect. Based on your preferred music, I don't think you will enjoy the A5 (can't comment on the rest of the line), the tweeters in the A5 are more-than-likely cheaply produced drivers with a sky high Fs which will result in poor high frequency reproduction, which will get noticeably worse at higher volumes. However, everyone has different taste and ears.

If you are looking for a simple all-in-one solution, I can't think of a better option than the Audioengines, if you can deal with a wire rat nest, and have the space for a receiver and passives go that way you will likely be happier.

Worst case you buy them from Amazon or direct, and return them if you don't like them.
Click to expand...

Sounds a good idea. I heard of D2 HD audio can be sent simultaneously to up to three receivers. Isn't it true?
 
+1 for A5's. I had them for 3 years now. Self powered, exceptional build quality, stays clean while as loud as you want it to be. They can get loud enough to bring the cops to your door without having a hint of overheat or signal degradation. Overall I am very very happy with my purchase and the best set of computer speakers I have ever owned. The only time these speakers fall short is bass. I mean for their size and power they have amazing bass but for a full experience I would recommend a 2.1 setup with a subwoofer and then plug in the Thriller by MJ in flac or losless cd format and I gurantee you that you will fall in love with the speakers.

Yes yes yes, you can get a receiver and unpowered front towers and a center and satellites and use optical connection from your computer and have a great system, but it will never be as cheap, as easy, as portable as the A5's. I am in the process of upgrading my main system to a 5.1 with a receiver and the A5's are moving to the bedroom. If I don't want to use them there, they will go to the kitchen, if i don't need them there, I can take them to my office, if I don't want them in the office they can go to the garage, even the backyard as long as the kevlar and silk speaker's are covered with something. They are plenty strong to transmit in an open backyard. One thing guaranteed, with the A5's you will never ever think to yourself, oh I can't find a use for these anymore, I guess I should sell them lol.
 
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