Need some Power Amp/Preamp/DAC, PC 2.1 setup, advice please!
wxcarne89
Posts: 20
Hello, I really could use your guys opinions on my situation here. any help would be appreciated.
So i've been working on building a 2.1 system with only one digital input coming from my (early 11, 15.4") macbookpro's mini toshlink port. I just purchased a Emotiva XDA-1, originally I thought I had found the perfect solution. However I have just discovered the many complaints related to the lossy volume control. I believe many of you on these forums are experienced w/ this XDA?
I am planning to spend around $400 on a solid state power amp in the next couple weeks. I switch between amps using banana plugs. currently my system includes a Fisher 800B (tube) receiver, the xda-1, and temporarily a pioneer elite A35r. I am also still using itunes till I decide on a good value priced software. Lastly Zombieboy 2000 sold me a B&K pt3 preamp/tuner I purchased to use with my tube amp (FM/AM tuner in my receiver needs alot of work, and I wanted a sub out) but I could just use it, it just feels like an eleven yr old pre w/ a brand new laptop/dac/power ampwould be a waste.
So my dilema is that I want to use a power amp, coming from the outputs of the XDA-1 to keep things simple. However most of my listening is done at a low volume level, so I feel that this may be an issue. I currently don't plan to use any analog inputs, so I really would like to avoid spending hundreds of dollars on a preamp (such as the emo Usp-1) All my cd's were destroyed in a flood, and my receiver has plenty of analog inputs anyway!
So now that I have explained my situation, should I just use the XDA-1 as a DAC (Volume set to max) and control volume via (a new) media player,
Purchase an integrated (would prefer power amp),
Put off amp purchase and buy an expensive pre?
Im at a loss!
One last thing, any body know of any really nice power amps in the 400 dollar range. I am currently considering a Class D audio build your own kit, or an Emotiva Upa-200. I am not opposed to purchasing used or vintage either! I welcome any suggestions, thanks!!!!
So i've been working on building a 2.1 system with only one digital input coming from my (early 11, 15.4") macbookpro's mini toshlink port. I just purchased a Emotiva XDA-1, originally I thought I had found the perfect solution. However I have just discovered the many complaints related to the lossy volume control. I believe many of you on these forums are experienced w/ this XDA?
I am planning to spend around $400 on a solid state power amp in the next couple weeks. I switch between amps using banana plugs. currently my system includes a Fisher 800B (tube) receiver, the xda-1, and temporarily a pioneer elite A35r. I am also still using itunes till I decide on a good value priced software. Lastly Zombieboy 2000 sold me a B&K pt3 preamp/tuner I purchased to use with my tube amp (FM/AM tuner in my receiver needs alot of work, and I wanted a sub out) but I could just use it, it just feels like an eleven yr old pre w/ a brand new laptop/dac/power ampwould be a waste.
So my dilema is that I want to use a power amp, coming from the outputs of the XDA-1 to keep things simple. However most of my listening is done at a low volume level, so I feel that this may be an issue. I currently don't plan to use any analog inputs, so I really would like to avoid spending hundreds of dollars on a preamp (such as the emo Usp-1) All my cd's were destroyed in a flood, and my receiver has plenty of analog inputs anyway!
So now that I have explained my situation, should I just use the XDA-1 as a DAC (Volume set to max) and control volume via (a new) media player,
Purchase an integrated (would prefer power amp),
Put off amp purchase and buy an expensive pre?
Im at a loss!
One last thing, any body know of any really nice power amps in the 400 dollar range. I am currently considering a Class D audio build your own kit, or an Emotiva Upa-200. I am not opposed to purchasing used or vintage either! I welcome any suggestions, thanks!!!!
New to the forums, and home theatre.
This will become my secondary system in the fall or spring, but it consists of:
Front: Polk Monitor 40's on 36" Bell-O stands
Front B: Klipsch F-10
Center: Polk CS-2
Rear: Polk Monitor 40's
Subwoofer: Klipsch Sub-12
Receiver: Yamaha HTR-6130
Cd Player: Kenwood Dv-605 dvd player to play data disks.
Macbook pro/External Blu Ray as a HTPC for media.
This will become my secondary system in the fall or spring, but it consists of:
Front: Polk Monitor 40's on 36" Bell-O stands
Front B: Klipsch F-10
Center: Polk CS-2
Rear: Polk Monitor 40's
Subwoofer: Klipsch Sub-12
Receiver: Yamaha HTR-6130
Cd Player: Kenwood Dv-605 dvd player to play data disks.
Macbook pro/External Blu Ray as a HTPC for media.
Post edited by wxcarne89 on
Comments
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Adcom 555
Parasound
Cary---My favorate.
Try audiogon for good deals on used equipmentSDA-2BTL with custom IC
Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
Harman Kardon T-55c TT
DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre -
i am just wondering what your issue with using an 11 year old pre-amp is if you are fine using a vintage amp? if it is a good sounding piece of gear and has what you need, i mean. and what speakers will you be driving in this system?
i got my Parasound for $345 on Ebay. certainly enough current to drive my 11Ts. its not perfect sound, but warmer and i like it better than my previous Acurus 250 which was a bit brash.Polk Lsi9
N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
NAD 1020 completely refurbished
Keces DA-131 mk.II
Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2 -
For now I have a pair of monitor 40's by my computer, and on speaker B I have a pair of Klipsch f-1's. I'm still debating on building speakers vs. buying a used pair of speakers off of audiogon. I've been looking at new wharfedale 10.2's, HSU bookshelves, and SVS. Used speakers i've considered include Rega rs-1's, b&w dm602's, and similar, on audiogon. I live in an unfortunately bad area for auditioning speakers. Realistically I will likely use the B&K till after I've finished my amps, restored my tube amp, and upgraded speakers. For the time being I think I am going to work on building a set of Class D audio 125wpc amplifiers. I'm going to build them one at a time, as finances allow, and use them as monoblocks. I was I could avoid purchasing a pre, but it seems inevitable.New to the forums, and home theatre.
This will become my secondary system in the fall or spring, but it consists of:
Front: Polk Monitor 40's on 36" Bell-O stands
Front B: Klipsch F-10
Center: Polk CS-2
Rear: Polk Monitor 40's
Subwoofer: Klipsch Sub-12
Receiver: Yamaha HTR-6130
Cd Player: Kenwood Dv-605 dvd player to play data disks.
Macbook pro/External Blu Ray as a HTPC for media. -
