Being my first standalone DAC I’m not sure how much to spend not knowing what I gain for extra $, across various brands. Hence the wide range and looking for guidance from you guys. Reading various threads and seeing a ton of opinions on what others should do, without explaining why, left my head swimming.
USE: Editing, cleaning audio dialog from 32bit floating 192k samples, listening to music, casual gaming (have headphones for intense gaming and voice chat), general computer audio. I have a pair of self powered Yamaha HS5’s monitors that take balanced XLR or 1/4" input. I have some sound treatment, with plans to adding more to the room. I really want to use USB to have volume control from my keyboard.
NICE TO HAVE: Bluetooth, multiple inputs for other sources, great imaging (though have dedicated setups for that)
NOT NECESSARY: Use for headphones, COAX, volume control (so long as USB control exists)
Are the higher end DAC’s just overkill for my use, where I’d be better off spending less on a DAC and more on speakers?
Oh and I’m fine with used, if I can find them. Most of the used stuff I’ve found either had bad reviews on the USB connection or lacks balanced outputs.
Other source in the sense of “sometimes a phone, sometimes a laptop” or other sources you want to mix in?
ART makes the SCC which is a fancy monitor controller that lets you switch sources. Not a DAC/Audio Interface though.
For maximum quality, you want to either use software controlled analog or a good old potentiometer/fader.
Your first descision needs to be which monitors you’re looking for. If they have volume control or if they rely on an external volume source. Not all DACs can preamp out and as @MazeFrame if you’re chasing quality then avoid digital volume control from the PC at all costs.
My iPhone, TV (it is so bad it is nearly unlistenable), I could throw a spare receiver in, and use the rca outs.
Humm, I hadn’t thought of adding something like this to my setup, so far everything has been 100% software once recorded.
I was just thinking a clean signal to work on the audio while really kicking up my music sound from the Yamaha HS5s.
See above, they don’t have level controls, they allow a slight boost (+4 db) but not volume.
FWIW this all goes onto a 5’ stand up desk, with my 32" tall custom water cooled computer case, so it’s definitely a show piece. And going to mount the monitors up a bit just haven’t decided on how yet.
Would you be running them at the same time or one at a time?
Assuming your TV has an optical (= TOSLINK) output, you could run that into whatever DAC/Interface you decide on.
Option 1:
Depending on how flexible the iD14 is with its routing matrix, it could provide you with an option for controlling volume and managing computer and TV input.
Option 2:
With the Schiit Modi(us) and others DACs, you can just switch the input. Volume control could be added via a passive monitor controller like the JBL Nanopatch+ or Mackie BigKnob Passive
Sorry for the confusion here.
Most DAWs handle digital volume adjustment just fine. Windows on the other hand looses bit depth when not at 100% volume.
Ah no, I would only run one source at a time. No mixing of sources. I get where you were going now with the iD14 and wouldn’t need that level.
Woah I didn’t know that! Thanks for the heads up. Any idea why?
So for editing I should have windows 100% volume, then just use the DAW software to control volume. That’s easy enough. Outside of editing, just for music, movies, youtube etc on the computer, either of the options you showed look like they would work well. Not sure which, kinda want the Mackie Big Knob Studio.
So that leaves a DAC assuming I don’t use the Mackie Big Knob Studio. So what would give me the best without overkill?
I have the Topping A90 amp and I did not like the D90 Dac.
I am now searching for a good Dac myself to pair with my amps.
I was told by multiple vets in here to look at these 3 DACs…
( @M0N is a powerhouse of knowledge to ask )
(2 of them are just a couple hundred out of your price range but worth looking into)
Reading though this, I would really not suggest blowing your budget so much on a dac if you don’t plan to upgrade those speakers anytime soon, you really might not see that benefit as much as you would if you just got new speakers. Personally for what you are after, a schiit modius (great all around dac, a bit warmer leaning but good enough for studio use, although no bluetooth and no 32 bit but the usb is really well implemented, would also need a passive monitor controller) or perhaps a smsl m300 mk2 (neutral enough and should have all the features you would want, although you are trading a tad bit of sound quality for features) imo. I would rather see you put that money toward the speakers way before you would spend that on a dac. I would be spending at least 1-2k on a nice pair of monitors before I would drop a grand on a dac (with the exception of if the dac was also tasked with powering midrange headphones)
Yeah a higher end dac seems unnecessary, maybe an SMSL M500 (~$420) if BT is something you’re really hoping to get or if you think you’d like to power monitoring headphones down the road. Otherwise a modius would seem to get it done.
That’s why I’m asking. I have a set of Thiel CS3s and some Magnepans but they are in other rooms and I can’t really fit them here. The HS5s are close to as big as I can fit on my desk. What would be a good set of similar size monitors?
I am tempted going down the audiophile rabbit hole and getting some nicer headphones. If I did, what would you suggest with that as a one day goal?
I’ll look into these and the 300s later tonight.
Sorry for so many questions, just working through options and how to best spend my budget while being open to future updates.
If I was you, the M500 is like where I’d top out at (or around that price range). Past that and we’re getting into splitting hairs, IMHO. DACs and amp can only get so good before the rest of the setup starts becoming the bottleneck, and from there you need to question, “Are you really listening that intently to notice the extra detail, ect?”
I’ve got a Xduoo Basic to a SMSL SA300 for passive speakers. More than enough than I need. The Xduoo Basic’s DAC is lower-end AKM, but clean and detailed and keeps me from bothering up the tree. If I didn’t have my beloved DIY speakers, I’d go for active speakers like what you got and get the M500.
Sound quality-wise, I don’t think there’s much difference from what I’ve seen from measurements. It really comes down to options. The M500 has more inputs, and a great headphone out (500mw to 32ohm, not a powerhouse, but enough for 250ohm cans) just no bluetooth.
Just kinda down to how much you want to spend. For your price range, I’d opt for the M500 as the “complete and done” unit. The M300 is good, but lacks that headphone amp so if you want one in the future, you’ll have to get one.
But if they get the M300, then just getting a JDS Atom or other $100-180 amp later would be cheaper, could have more power for harder to drive headphones, and could have a better sound to them while letting them use the Bluetooth on the M300. Of course, it would mean more stuff to have on the desk instead of just having a nice DAC/amp combo, but it also gives the freedom of upgradability if they ever venture down the rabbit hole. It all comes down to personal preference in the end though.
True, again that “complete and done” setup. Personally, I hate having a ton of equipment and amps and dacs and stacks and such. I’d go for the one DAC/amp, one control over the entire system more so than a collection of equipment. 500mw/32ohm is still quite a lot of power for headphones, people often forget.
I think something like a Topping DX7s or DX7 Pro would give you a very clean DAC as well as a Preamp. They have balanced connections for studio monitors and you won’t have to mess around with a separate volume control. That’s a clean, simple setup and it leaves more money in the budget for better speakers. Adam Audio T5V or A5X would be my go-to for a 5 inch studio monitor. If you want a bit more warmth/body, the Schiit Jotunheim with the optional DAC works great for desktop PC/monitor use but you won’t get bluetooth.
Okay, so based on what everyone said, this is what I’m thinking:
-Adam Audio A5X, A7X or Focal Shape 50s (return the Yamaha HS5s)
-Schiit Modius
-Passive volume control/Preamp of some sort, I like the idea of the Mackie Big Knob Studio just wish it had a good DAC or was just passive.
I asked Schiit what kind of volume control they would recommend while keeping the balanced XLRs, I’m curious to see what they say.
