Need some suggestions for making a 2 channel system for my computer!

wxcarne89

Hey guys, I'm pretty new here, i've been really busy recently with summer camp music festival last weekend and the beginning of summer. Sorry for the long post I am pretty lost! I am getting ready to begin piecing together a 2.1 stereo system/zone 2/headphones amp that will do my computer setup justice, and I was hoping to get some advice/suggestions.

My current setup is a 15" macbook pro (not that it matters but just in case, 2.2ghz i7, 128gb samsung 830 ssd, 8gb 1600mhz kingston hyper X ram)

So what I am planning on doing is getting a mini integrated amplifier, and some kind of USB dac. I have a spare set of monitor 40's that were in my garage, and a cheap 8" yamaha sub I can hook up for the time being. So far I am considering getting a Emotiva mini-X A-100, and the XDA-1 balanced DAC. The size of the amp is really important, i've looked at receivers such as the Harman Kardon 3490, but space is an issue. I'm also considering a parasound zamp v.2, or a pioneer elite a35r, but neither of these have a rca audio output, and I really don't think i'll be using a subwoofer with a speaker level input any time soon. I've looked into some of the speaker level to line level convertors and such, but I think those are more of a car audio thing. I am told that the Rca out on the emotiva amp is fine for a subwoofer,using some kind of filter depending on the sub?

Long story short, I am looking for some suggestions related to other similar products to what i've mentioned, or maybe another direction to go in entirely. I don't understand 100% what the usb DAC does as well, originally I had looked at some interfaces, but I don't do anything with music production. Any suggestions are appreciated, I am a computer engineering major, I know a lot about computer technology, but I'm pretty much in the dark about audio, especially stereo!

slider2828

USB DAC basically allows you to play music through a USB. Essentially allowing you to hook up a USB to it and playing songs through it. There is software that accompany's the USB to your computer to do so. In the end, the TOSLINK (Optical) is your best bet cause it doesn't transfer any noise through it.

You can look at a Music Fidelity VDAC2, Audio GD NFB3.1, and a bunch of other stuff around the sub 400 and under.... There is also a Schiit BiFrost as well. Some USB's don't sample past 96Hz..... and jitter can also be a problem.

I am currently building my own DAC which you can do with eBay kits, but be ready to be up for weeks on end reading reviews and hacks and stuff....

wxcarne89

Ok, so I am right there with you on that one. I have been looking at these kits for awhile now.I really like the look of the tube usb DAC kits. I think I am better off getting something like this though:
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/CS4398-CS8416-CM102-USB-Coaxial-Optical-DAC-Decoder-DIY-Kit-W-Best-C-P-Rate-/261035109240?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3cc6e7ab78#ht_9013wt_962)
This way i can run an optical from my laptop to the DAC then RCA to my amp.
Where'd you pick up your kit from? I'm getting ready to start doing some mods on my grado sr80i's this weekend hopefully as well. Starting with modding in a 3.5mm receptacle.

IRLRaceFan

wxcarne89 wrote: »

My current setup is a 15" macbook pro (not that it matters but just in case, 2.2ghz i7, 128gb samsung 830 ssd, 8gb 1600mhz kingston hyper X ram)

So what I am planning on doing is getting a mini integrated amplifier, and some kind of USB dac. I have a spare set of monitor 40's that were in my garage, and a cheap 8" yamaha sub I can hook up for the time being. So far I am considering getting a Emotiva mini-X A-100, and the XDA-1 balanced DAC. The size of the amp is really important, i've looked at receivers such as the Harman Kardon 3490, but space is an issue. I'm also considering a parasound zamp v.2, or a pioneer elite a35r, but neither of these have a rca audio output, and I really don't think i'll be using a subwoofer with a speaker level input any time soon. I've looked into some of the speaker level to line level convertors and such, but I think those are more of a car audio thing. I am told that the Rca out on the emotiva amp is fine for a subwoofer,using some kind of filter depending on the sub?

On the software side I suggest you look at iTunes alternatives, especially if you have or want to get high resolution files (lossless > 16 bit / 44.1 or 48-kHz). Not only does iTunes not handle FLAC natively, it also doesn't adjust the output rate song for song. There are some good alternatives out there - not as many choices as for Windows, but still some good stuff for decent $$$. You'll also notice a sound quality improvement with most of the alternatives.

I've tried Audirvana Plus, Decibel, & Pure Music. I ended up with Pure Music, because I like the way it deals with FLAC files compared to the others I tried, I had less issues with it, and the sound is the best I'll gotten from any computer setup - even J. River using Windows (but an XP machine). It's more expensive that the others I mentioned and yes, it's more than most Windows options, but I'm happy with it. There's another option that's supposed to be even better than Pure Music, Amarra, but it's way too much $$$ for me to even want to try it.

wxcarne89

Hey cool, this is exactly why I post here. The only other person I know with interest in stereo is my stepdad, but hes totally out of the digital loop. I got a old Pioneer SX-434 for free today I'm using with these monitor 40's till I get around to picking up a DAC diy kit, and a new amp. I've decided to focus on making a smaller two channel system for music listening, and leave my 5.1 setup in my sig alone for now. How many liscenses did you get with your purchase of pure?

thsmith

For the MAC try Amarra, it allows you to use the itunes GUI but do more stuff like memory play and higher resolution.

zingo

I would look at a DAC integrated amp like the bel canto C5i, Peachtree iNova, Wadia 151, or Firestone Rubby. All of those have both components you're looking for in a small chassis!

tonyb

zingo wrote: »

I would look at a DAC integrated amp like the bel canto C5i, Peachtree iNova, Wadia 151, or Firestone Rubby. All of those have both components you're looking for in a small chassis!

Good suggestions Jake, and one I would look into for a computer rig.

Face

zingo wrote: »

I would look at a DAC integrated amp like the bel canto C5i, Peachtree iNova, Wadia 151, or Firestone Rubby. All of those have both components you're looking for in a small chassis!

Or the Wyred 4 Sound mINT. http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/612512

IRLRaceFan

wxcarne89 wrote: »

How many liscenses did you get with your purchase of pure?

I ASSUME I only have one license, but didn't bother to check since I only have one MAC computer (all my other machines are Windows).