Would a dac work?

[Lucas-]

One thing I lack, badly, is audio. Decent audio anyway. Which i'd like to sort out; As I do appreiate a better sound.

So if any audio'ers are about, i'd really appreicate the slightest help.

 

 

Right now I have nothing. I'm probably going to buy the Corsair SP2500 for my desktop. And then upgrade my current earphones to a decent pair of headphones after.

 

 

So the problem is that I don't know if to buy a soundcard or a DAC?

 

 

Headphone side - Something like the O2+ODAC amp combo would work well I think. Also being able to power a good pair of phones from that. And it's also kind of portable which i really like.

But the SP2500, I don't know if that little DAC thing would work with it? I think the 2500 has a built in amp. So would the little O2+ODAC still be able to benefit the speakers at all by converting the sound? I don't know if the corsair speakers already do that, I just read somewhere that a soundcard would be a help.

 

 

Please bare in mind I really know so little about all of this, literally just learning about things the past few days where audio is concerned.

 

 

So should I buy a soundcard, or would a O2+ODAC amp combo work fine with both phones and speakers?

 

 

 

 

Thanks

[emailtim]

...

 

I'm probably going to buy the Corsair SP2500 for my desktop. And then upgrade my current earphones to a decent pair of headphones after.

 

...

 

So should I buy a soundcard, or would a O2+ODAC amp combo work fine with both phones and speakers?

 

...

 

To use a DAC or Soundcard, either would need both "Line Outs" and "Amplified Headphone Outs" for your application.

 

The Amplified "Headphone Outs" has to be sufficient to drive your headphone(s) of choice (READ: Know what Headphones you are going to use before buying the headphone amplifier).

 

It looks like the powered speakers you are interested in take a standard line in (Stereo RCA).

 

It is not obvious that the 02+ODAC has line outs.

 

The O2+ODAC is also "limited" to 24/96. If you want to decode higher resolution audio content, you may want to take this into consideration before you choose a DAC or Soundcard.

 

Have you listened to these speakers and do you like them?

 

What is your budget?

 

Do you have any other objectives you would like to meet ?

[Lucas-]

I've listened to neither, I'm usually very busy and haven't had much of a chance.

Speakers are based on reviews i've read.

 

So budget really, if something is expensive, i'll try to wait and save if it's worth it.

 

objective for me is to have half decent audio from headphones, and from desktop speakers.

I only just recently learnt about a dac+amp, that some people use for their phones, and wondered if one of these would work to bring decent audio to speakers also.

[Blake]

Based on your description of yourself, I would likely steer away from NwAvGuy's ODAC and amp. Nothing wrong with the ODAC/O2, but you just might want the convenience of dealing with a real manufacturer if you should ever have issues and need a quick and painless support system.

 

Perhaps something from iFi would fit the bill?

[Lucas-]

I'm open to anything, once I sort of know what im doing I can start to decide properly.

 

So am I write when I say I need to use a DAC, or a soundcard in the pc to filter the signal for the speakers?

And no amp would be needed for speakers?

I'm not totally against a soundcard, it just feels a bit restricted when using headphones, not being able to get the most out of them when travelling, which I think a dac & amp would solve in that case.

[emailtim]

Take a look at the Wyred 4 Sound mINT (mini-Integrated). The integration contains stereo amplifiers, headphone amplifier, preamp and DAC. The DAC is good, but not as good as in their flagship DAC2-DSDSE. W4S offers a money-back in home trail on the mINT.

 

You would just need to add a source, non-powered speakers and headphones.

 

I heard it at the Long Beach, CA Audio show driving a pair of Mini-Maggies and it sounded very nice. I did not hear it with any headphones.

 

https://wyred4sound.com/products/integrated-amps/mint

 

Headphone Output

•32Ω Load: 720mW @ 0.1% THD+N

•300Ω Load: 132mW @ 0.1%TDH+N

•600Ω Load: 60mW @ 0.1% THD+N

 

W4S has a great track record and is very responsive. I have a few of their products and have been very happy with both the product and company.

 

[emailtim]

I just stumbled on this. W4S is offering a mINT + Martin Logan bookshelf speaker package at the cost of just over the mINT by itself. I am not familiar with these speakers though. The speakers run @ $800/pair MSRP.

 

https://wyred4sound.com/products/integrated-amps/wyred-4-sound-martin-logan-special-offer