active setup for work

cokewithvanilla
cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
in 2 Channel Audio
I am looking to get a set of active monitors and a dac for work. Not like professional work, just something to listen to music at my desk. I am considering the Emotiva Airmotiv 5s along with a Emotiva Stealth DC-1 dac. I don't want to spend a whole lot on something that will sit at work, but I do want good quality sound. All i see is good reviews for the airmotiv series, and I find it hard to argue with the price. Does anyone have experience with these, or another setup they can recommend?
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Comments

  • OldSchoolPolk
    OldSchoolPolk Posts: 159
    I use Audioengine A5+ and JBL LSR 308 daily and both are great near fields.

    However, if I was shopping today the Airmotives would be one of my first auditions. The 5s seem to be the sweet spot cost wise and as you noticed they get great reviews from press and individuals alike.

    The DC-1 has gotten good reviews too, but even a AQ Dragonfly would be a good option at just $150 and a very small footprint. These days you can trip over so many good options for small DACs just choose 2 or 3 from a reputable on line store and see what sings the best for you.

    HT: Marantz NR-1603, Oppo 981, Def Tech SM55, SVS PB-1000
    BR: iPad Mini, Audio Engine A5+
    2C: Parasound ZDAC V.2, Sony DA80ES, Sony XDR-F1HD, SVS Prime Tower, JSE .6 Infinite Slope
    Office: MBAir, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, JBL LSR-308
    Projects: Polk RTA12, Polk Monitor 7, Revox B225CD, BIC 3-TM
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  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    Welll... I just saw this post and i happen to be at Emotiva in Franklin about an hour ago, so I have me a set of Airmotive 5s and a Control Freak (unbalanced). I will hook these up to my HRT music streamer when I get home and see how they sound. They only had one pair left and they were factory reconditioned, soooo I don't have the 30 day trail... we shall see
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  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    Well. they sound pretty good. they image well and have good mid/highs, but there is some indefinable 'small' quality about them... like, when i expect something to be loud and big sounding, i am underwhelmed.

    Took the control freak out of the setup and put my aragon preamp in... the 'small' is gone. sooooo... I need a preamp?
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