Which DAC & Amp for Bookshelf speakers (+ spec me a small sub) ?

[NVP]

Oh wise ones, I am entangled within a desperate yearning for clarity of audio. Please hear my cries and aid my spec.


I'm wanting to use 2 of my Monitor Audio BX2's, and purchase a separate small subwoofer, to use as 2.1 on my desktop.

I'm aware I need an Amp as well as a DAC, but when looking I find that everything appears geared towards headphones, and I'm getting lost in the jargon so could use some advice on what type/spec to look for specifically please

Regarding a subwoofer, my PC is in a converted bedroom so it needn't be obnoxious, I just want that ambient rumble when watching movies. It needs to be a lot fuller than the one I'm using now, the Sub with the HK SoundStick III's please.


Just in case, my mobo is a MSI MAG X570S Tomahawk, if that assists in any way.


Many thanks

 

[NVP]

Thank you, that Amp looks spot on appreciated, I will research into it further.

Re: the subwoofer. It's bigger than I was hoping for, as I already have a Monitor Audio MSW10 approximately that size which I could use, however I was hoping for something that wouldn't take up as much floor space under the desk.

I guess for a decent quality and range, perhaps that size is necessary?

Thank you

 

[NVP]

Good subs are big, and the XLS is pretty darn tiny. It's a 10" sealed box sub, you can't really get much smaller than that, otherwise you're compromising.

Thank you, understood. The dimensions I found for the BK XLS 300 are: 340 X 355 x 290, and the dimensions of my MA MSW10 are: 321 x 321 x 364, so I guess it is 74mm thinner which may make it acceptable. I'm going to do some measuring now...

The Wiim is also a streamer, and a really good one at that. Plus it has EQ and PEQ features, and high pass/low pass as well?

The Wiim Amp looks great, I think I'm sold on that one thank you!


Q: is there a preference for the source connection, aux/hdmi/usb ?

 

[NVP]

Oh OK, awesome, thank you So I have an 'Optical S/PDIF OUT' from my mobo which I guess can go directly into the WiiM Amp Optical In, and that's it sorted?

 

[NVP]

Thank you. I'm not sure what I need, it'll just be a 2.1 set-up, so will I need the multi-channel DD stuff? I would like to avoid the old issue where, when playing movies made for 5.1 through a set of stereo speakers would lose the centre audio and over-fill the surround. I want a nice, clean 2.1 audio experience form all types of movie files please, I'm unsure if that will require the DD multi-channel support, or not.

Thank you for your help with this, appreciated

 

[NVP]

Oh great, and the downmixing is all done by the WiiM, correct? So I don't need to have specific codecs or software etc to ensure constant stereo?

Awesome, thank you so much for your help! I'm going to find a place where I can listen to the XLS before I commit, but the WiiM looks to be 100% what I'm in need of.

Thank you

 

[NVP]

No it's done from your source, in your PC set to output two channel PCM. In the TV set to PCM output.

BK subs are internet only.

Ah yes, that was a silly question I getconfused quite easily!

Thank you

 

[NVP]

OK cool, thanks. More research to do, but it is difficult without being able to hear them in person. Might take a trip to RicherSounds too.

Is there a type that would function well wall-mounted? edit: currently in a worm-hole about the possibility of having it inset it into the wall

 

[NVP]

Ok thank you. I think my hesitance is with not being able to hear it first, as I don't want one that sounds similar to my HK soundsticks sub, yet I don't need one as large as my MSW10. I suppose if I visit richersounds and John lewis etc. I can get an estimation on specific types first, prior to purchasing online

Thank you again

 

[NVP]

Thank you, still yet to decide on the sub, but appreciated Defo hit me up if you see any around Brum plz!

 

[NVP]

Thank you both, sorry for the delay in reply as I was banned for a week.

So I've ordered my Wiim Amp

re: the sub, thank you for the suggestions. As size appears to be the way with subs, and the suggestions are quite large, I think I'm going to test it using my existing large Monitor Audio Subwoofer to see if I can cope with that much floor space being taken up, as I don't see the need to buy another large sub if I already have one, was just hoping to get similar from smaller but that appears understandably doubtful



Could I ask Q's around cables please?

Should I feed it from my motherboards Optical S/PDIF, or the HDMI from my gfx card (or mobo?)? (I know we spoke on this earlier, but I'm still confused lol)

Any recommendations on RCA connection wires? Previously I've just hardwired my speakers using 2 core speaker wire, but for the PC I'd like the plug in/out convenience

I already have 1 spare optical out cable, and I may have a spare subwoofer cable, from my HTPC set-up. However, I think I would like to buy shorter lengths of both for my desktop, just for cable management really.


Thank you all

 

[NVP]

Sexy! Do downward facing subs work well on carpet?