Seems logical. Full set-up, then I can start the voyage of tube rolling.
Does the AMP make any difference to the 1280DBs (guess it doesn’t apart from the warmth)?
yup, just adding that touch of warmth. with speakers, you may notice a little deeper soundstage. entry tube pre-amps can add a little depth to the soundstage. but since your nearfield, it makes it harder to tell. mostly, it will add a touch of warmth and round out the edges so to speak a little.
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I personally tend to prefer the built in DAC sound signature of the 1280DBs (you can test it right now by using Bluetooth with it and then using the analogue RCA). I think it sounds better then a clean amplification on it, I haven’t tried it on a tube though. That is why I use the D10s with it.
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I see. I will try it out and use the one that sound better to me. Couldn’t be easier.
throwing the xduoo in the chain, should mostly be a volume knob. and i am not familiar enough with the edies as i have never owned powered speakers better then entry logitechs back in the day.
edit: i do know bluetooth streaming though, as i do a lot of it. and i agree, a lot of modern bluetooth dacs have great sound quality
Volume knob is also appreciated since I don’t like picking up the controller every time I want to change the volume on the speakers.
I love the remote, but mainly for switching inputs. Bluetooth music on them is really nice compared to most reasonably priced BT speakers.
i like your amp idea the best of the options in the price range you want to spend atm. windows dac gets a lot of crap, but its not the end all. and having plenty of juice is waaay better lol.
edit: odds are your going to be happy with just the amp as windows dac is the one your used to. and ear and brain assimilation is half of liking a sound signature. ie if you listen to trash for a month, your brain will adjust and it will no longer sound like trash.
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I just wish EQing in Windows was as nice as it is in Linux. Pulse effects is so much easier to setup compared to equalizer APO and the setting up peace GUI.
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linux is so much easier to work with in just about anything lol. music tends to run better off of linux based things and have less issues.
That’s probably true, but on the other hand it’s nice to get something better. With this approach I could also use some trash 20 dollar headphones and be happy.
Well I like Linux for that as well, but since I use some proprietary software and I game on a daily basis I sadly need Windows most of the time.
you are totally right. but in the budget realm, finding good enough is where its at. and i think, with your budget and setup, windows dac is good enough and an amp will make more of a difference. was just pointing out that you are happy with it minus volume problems. the amp will solve that. and you may not even want to spend money on a dac any time soon.
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Yeah, have no clue what I’m missing so no imminent need to upgrade as with the AMP.
EDIT: The first day I used the laptop I knew I will have to buy one lol
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exactly! and when the bug hits ya, you can get one and see if its worth the fuss.(hint: most people in most circumstances, wont notice much of a difference between windows and a 100$ dac as they are not paying enough attention to the music to notice)
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now for actual dedicated listening sessions, you will notice a difference. but how many people, not including this forum which is filled with the 1%, actually just listen to music these days?
I understand that feeling. I took up audio gear as my current hobby when computers became silly to mess around with. So I decided to redirect the hobby budget into finding out what I really wanted out of sound.
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True. I do actually do the “dedicated” listening sessions quite a bit, so it might be worth considering. But as you say, 1%.
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Ordered the AMP. Should receive it tomorrow. Will write my thoughts here once I listen to it.
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Hope you enjoy it.
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