Looking for Desktop Suggestions

[mihc45]

Hello, im very new to high end computer audio, i am looking to upgrade my very newbishly loud but not clear sounding setup.

This is what i have:
HP desktop with the Beats by DRE package, which i think just means i have an optical out plug off the motherboard
Then i have an Altec Lansing 2 + 1 setup and on top of that i have 2 older no name brand boombox speakers coming out of the sub.

I know its pretty embarssing sounding but i did it just cause it looked cool, but then it got me interested in a higher end setup.

So i would like the best system as possible without doing anything to the computer itself
I would like to spend around $600 or so but open to spending more if i would really get a better system

The room that it is in is about 12x25 room but im going be sitting at the computer as i listen.

Any help is greatly appreciated

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi mihc45 - Welcome to CA. It's wonderful that you're looking to get better sound from your existing computer. There are many ways to improve your setup without spending an arm and a leg.

Have you looked at the Peachtree Audio products?

What about Audioengine?

[The Computer Audiophile]

One system that just came to mind is the new AudoQuest Dragonfly ($249) connected to the Audioengine A5+ ($399) or A2 ($199) speakers. This would be real bang for your buck.

[The Computer Audiophile]

OK one more from me. I just got an email from Vanatoo. The company's first product is called the Transparent One. Powered speakers with a digital TosLink input that could go straight from your computer into the speaker. I can vouch for quality or anything as I've never heard them.

Vanatoo

[AudioDoctor]

I will second two of Chris's suggestions. Peachtree products are great, you can get a Decco2 and speakers for a damn nice price. This gives you the ability to add analog sources, or other digital sources as well.

The Dragonfly and the audio engine speakers also sounds like an interesting product combination.

[Milofix]

I have recently found Genelecs speakers to be very interesting. A little over budget I think but a pair of 8020 can sound really good!
Especially due to the size of it.
Just remember that they need to be feed by balanced signal.

[mihc45]

One system that just came to mind is the new AudoQuest Dragonfly ($249) connected to the Audioengine A5+ ($399) or A2 ($199) speakers. This would be real bang for your buck.

What does the Dragonfly exactly do that my computer doesnt already? I was under the impression that if i use the optical out on my computer that is the same results as using a DAC

[The Computer Audiophile]

What does the Dragonfly exactly do that my computer doesnt already? I was under the impression that if i use the optical out on my computer that is the same results as using a DAC

The Dragonfly is a much higher quality asynchronous USB Digital to Analog Converter than what's in your computer. It can output at full volume and allow you to adjust the volume at the speakers or it can be used to control volume in the analog domain.

You could always get a pair of powered speakers and only get a Dragonfly later if you want.

[mihc45]

Is the dragonfly limited at all or will it be able to take on future upgrades later down the road? or at that point will i need i bigger and better dac?

Also thanks for all the quick responses i already learned more in the last hour or so then the past week trying to find this stuff on my own.

[maximum kahuna]

A really nice starter system would be either the Dragonfly or the AudioEngine D1 dac and a pair of AudioEngine 5+ or Emotiva Airmotiv powered speakers. The Dragonfly dac is relatively new and is getting rave reviews both for its form factor and its sound. That would bring you in right at your budget and give you the flexibility of adding headphones as well. Alternatively you could go for HRT Streamer II dac, AudioEngine N22 amp and something like NHT 2 or some used monitors. The Dragonfly/Airmotiv combo could be a killer set up.

[mayhem13]

OK one more from me. I just got an email from Vanatoo. The company's first product is called the Transparent One. Powered speakers with a digital TosLink input that could go straight from your computer into the speaker. I can vouch for quality or anything as I've never heard them.

Vanatoo

Nice find Chris....especially for the price. As a speaker designer, I recognize some smart design work on these. First, they kept the box small but didn't sacrifice extension by using a pretty large passive radiator. Second, the drivers are almost certainly Peerless, an excellent OEM supplier for lots of the better names in speakers. Not much to complain about here. I gotta find a dealer for a listen.

[wgscott]

One system that just came to mind is the new AudoQuest Dragonfly ($249) connected to the Audioengine A5+ ($399) or A2 ($199) speakers. This would be real bang for your buck.

I have this in my office at work, with A2 speakers. I am really amazed how good it sounds. I also added in a Velodyne Microvee, but had to bring it home to fill in while the Rel is gone again. Even without the sub, it is still quite good.

[AudioDoctor]

I have this in my office at work, with A2 speakers. I am really amazed how good it sounds. I also added in a Velodyne Microvee, but had to bring it home to fill in while the Rel is gone again. Even without the sub, it is still quite good.

When I get back to work, I may need to do something like that, or exactly that, in my office.

[mihc45]

is it better to get powered speakers or passive and then a small amp like a Audioengine N22.


I was looking at Audioengines website and it looks like a whole setup from them would be in my price range. With the D1 dac , N22 amp, and P4 speakers is right at $600 or so. If i got a setup like this how would a sub hookup too it?

[kumakuma]

A really nice starter system would be either the Dragonfly or the AudioEngine D1 dac and a pair of AudioEngine 5+ or Emotiva Airmotiv powered speakers.

I've got the Airmotiv 6 speakers and they are fantastic. Too big for the desktop but I've heard nothing but good things about the Airmotiv 4's.

[mayhem13]

is it better to get powered speakers or passive and then a small amp like a Audioengine N22.


I was looking at Audioengines website and it looks like a whole setup from them would be in my price range. With the D1 dac , N22 amp, and P4 speakers is right at $600 or so. If i got a setup like this how would a sub hookup too it?

With budget constraints, there will always be tradeoffs. The speakers Chris linked do have the advantage of DSP and digital to the end design. With prices of these types of digital chips falling daily, they may have stumbled on a nice implementation. Given they offer a 30day trial period, I think they might be worth the listen. Something to consider is where these will be placed on the desktop......up against a wall isn't optimal for any speaker, but those with rear passive radiators or ports, the problem is magnified significantly.

[maximum kahuna]

is it better to get powered speakers or passive and then a small amp like a Audioengine N22.


I was looking at Audioengines website and it looks like a whole setup from them would be in my price range. With the D1 dac , N22 amp, and P4 speakers is right at $600 or so. If i got a setup like this how would a sub hookup too it?

Powered speakers have the virtue of being a minimalist set up. Used with a Dragonfly dac or HRT Streamer there is almost no clutter on your desk. But as you probably can tell I really like the N22. It has line outs to feed a sub. Then you can control all the volume including the sub from the N22 volume control. It is a sweet little amp. Small but well built, with enough power, 22 wpc, for desk top application and a headphone connection. Unless you need lots of power it's ideal for a computer set up. It also has a 3.5mm input to plug in your phone or music player or any other analog source.

[The Computer Audiophile]

is it better to get powered speakers or passive and then a small amp like a Audioengine N22.


I was looking at Audioengines website and it looks like a whole setup from them would be in my price range. With the D1 dac , N22 amp, and P4 speakers is right at $600 or so. If i got a setup like this how would a sub hookup too it?

If it were a system for me I'd go with powered speakers and the Dragonfly. Powered speakers have the advantage of a dedicated amp designed specifically for the speaker and everything is in one package. Great for a desktop environment.

[Nfg1984]

I'm in a similar situation of the OP so this thread is helping me out as well. Comparing the A5+ to the P4, will there be a loss of bass with the P4 due to the 1" smaller woofer? Both the D1 and N22 contain headphone amplifiers, is there a reason for that? Which one is better? The A5+ and D1 comes in $50 cheaper but seems like the more powerful and versatile option.

[mihc45]

If it were a system for me I'd go with powered speakers and the Dragonfly. Powered speakers have the advantage of a dedicated amp designed specifically for the speaker and everything is in one package. Great for a desktop environment.

is there any advantage in going with the dragonfly over the audioengine D1? Its $100 more and looks almost to simple to me

[mayhem13]

Does anyone know the rated amp power of the A5's?.......Site oddly only lists RMS?.......and the need for that info with a powered speaker is?

Oops......sorry i found some info via Google....50w amp per speaker.

[kumakuma]

is there any advantage in going with the dragonfly over the audioengine D1? Its $100 more and looks almost to simple to me

My guess is adaptive vs async USB support would one big difference.

[AudioDoctor]

is there any advantage in going with the dragonfly over the audioengine D1? Its $100 more and looks almost to simple to me

Asynch USB for one, having the guts designed by none other than Gordon Rankin of Wavelength Audio for another. IMO I would not buy any other DAC in that price range before buying the Dragonfly.

edit: I am a very happy owner of one of Gordon's own DACs, the Cosecant, and I could not be happier with it.

[Jud]

I'm in a similar situation of the OP so this thread is helping me out as well. Comparing the A5+ to the P4, will there be a loss of bass with the P4 due to the 1" smaller woofer? Both the D1 and N22 contain headphone amplifiers, is there a reason for that? Which one is better? The A5+ and D1 comes in $50 cheaper but seems like the more powerful and versatile option.

I've got an N22 in my desktop system, and it's a very happy coincidence that it can be used as a headphone amp, since that means it has a miniplug input. The Dragonfly DAC (which I also own and use in my desktop system) has a miniplug output, so a simple stereo miniplug-to-miniplug cable will connect the two.

Re your question about upgradeability, my guess would be that the Dragonfly, with its tiny circuit board, could not be upgraded beyond its present 24/96 resolution capability. (Though some audio players will downsample so you can listen to higher-res music.) However, if you get another DAC eventually for the desktop, a Dragonfly, a laptop, and good headphones (especially small in-ear monitors) make a tremendous portable audio setup. As I mentioned in a comment on these forums soon after getting one, 10 hours on a plane never passed so quickly.

[Jud]

I've got an N22 in my desktop system, and it's a very happy coincidence that it can be used as a headphone amp, since that means it has a miniplug input. The Dragonfly DAC (which I also own and use in my desktop system) has a miniplug output, so a simple stereo miniplug-to-miniplug cable will connect the two.

Well, OK, the fact that it's a headphone amp doesn't mean it has to have a miniplug *input*. But it does.