Gamers, What's Your Audio Set Up?

Timber · 15 May 2025 at 23:01

@mrk nice speakers. Didn't like the boop though...

I do have a question for anyone. Been tidying-up the office. Realised the current audio set-up is overly complex; 3 DAC/AMPs for audio from two PCs using two pairs of RCA cables for the Edifier speakers (not ideal when I replace them). So have removed the third DAC/AMP and condensed to the iFi Zen Signature Stack for my Linux PC & Fiio K5 Pro for the W11 PC. However because of the way the iFi works ideally that needs to send a signal from the CAN via RCA for the speaker volume (K5 as pre-amp). I could use the speaker volume but the volume pot is on the side and without a remote annoying to use.

I could keep the K5 Pro however I miss not having balanced on the W11 PC. So my thinking is sell the Fiio K11 and K5 Pro and replace with the Fiio K7 (non-BT). That's one of the few DAC/AMPs in the £200-range with RCA input and output. Am I missing any more upto date DAC/AMPs that are another choice over the K7?

Second question as anyone used RCA splitters - are they fine to use in a scenario where the K5 Pro (or K7) RCA outputs send a signal to my speakers and to another amp (hypothetical at this stage)?

mrk · 15 May 2025 at 23:22

Timber said:
Didn't like the boop though...

What headphones or are you using the DAC/amp as purely a DAC? Because the K7 is inherently a bright sounding headphone amp which was one of the reasons I returned the one I had as it wasn't suited that well to planar headphones that can be bright so the pairing wasn't quite there for my sound preference. Never used it as a pure DAC though but if you want something long term then perhaps a DAC that has the option to tune DIY upgrade down the line like OpAmps, there are a bunch out there but you want RCA in and out too so that does limit some options.

^ The Aiyima A80 is cheaper now too than when I got it and could potentially be something to look at? It has the connectivity and the power and the DAC is very good too with scope to OpAmp roll if desired. It has analogue AUX out which you can use to connect RCA out to active speakers, along with RCA in which is what I use going from the K11 R2R which is the DAC and headphone amp.

In that sort of setup you have the power amp with all the inputs you could need feeding the active speakers from the AUX out, then you can just connect whatever DAC you want, or use any of the digital inputs directly from each computer for a one box does it all sort of thing.

Timber · Friday at 00:01

mrk said:
What headphones or are you using the DAC/amp as purely a DAC? Because the K7 is inherently a bright sounding headphone amp which was one of the reasons I returned the one I had as it wasn't suited that well to planar headphones that can be bright so the pairing wasn't quite there for my sound preference. Never used it as a pure DAC though but if you want something long term then perhaps a DAC that has the option to tune DIY upgrade down the line like OpAmps, there are a bunch out there but you want RCA in and out too so that does limit some options.

So the K7/new box will need to be the DAC/AMP (USB) from the W11 PC and have RCA inputs to receive the Linux PC audio from the iFi Zen CAN Signature. That way both use just the one pair of RCA cables for the speakers and I can use the K7 as the volume control for those speakers. And have headphone out for both computers. Potential for my MiSTer to use optical input on the K7 but not a driver atm.

The iFi stack is very warm, smooth and has depth so that's my preference for sound. The K5 Pro was always a bit neutral-warm, where as the K11 (non-R2R) was always more analytical, neutral and colder.

So I think first choice is an all-in-one with USB/Optical/RCA inputs with the ability to do pre-out for volume control. I know the K5 Pro & K7 both do this. I think the Fiio K9 & Xduoo TA-22 also meet the requirement, but are much more than I want to spend. There is probably an argument to do nothing and stay on the Fiio K5 Pro for now to see if something new from Fiio emerges. And a third option of USB (& Optical) DAC for the W11 PC with a seperate AMP which again would need to receive the RCA inputs. This could allow for a tube amp I suppose - even if I'm hesitant. And costs go up, albeit I'm very aware that my favourite headphones supposedly come alive on tubes.

It's my purchase in January of the iFi stack that mucks the requirements up a bit, becuase I love it and pairs really well with the HD 650/6XX, but it doesn't have Optical input, or output and I can't really switch it to the W11 PC. So I think no matter how I twist this around I really need at least two DAC/AMPs as I'm running now.

Apart from the TYGR,PC38X for gaming it's the HD58X, 650/6XX that are my current music headphones. I am thinking about adding the HD 600 so the HD 6x0 line will be the current driver for my 'main' headphone.

Angst · Friday at 05:57

hornetstinger said:
what's your keycap set?

Just the stock keychron

ODuffer · Friday at 08:47

I've changed my amp, so my gaming setup is now Fiio R2R > Fosi Audio V3 > Tannoy Revolution R2. The setup has some heft

jonneymendoza · Friday at 09:01

mrk said:
Boop the horn snoot??

My KEF Q300 lasted ~12 years before the cone dent defect (design flaw) started to bother me and I wanted something more special. I fully expect these to last me twice as long, if not forever given how they sound and filling that "special" criteria as well.

What speakers are those?

mrk · Friday at 09:02

jonneymendoza said:
What speakers are those?

Esprit 40th - Comète 40th

L’enceinte bibliothèque Comète 40th a su séduire des générations d’audiophiles grâce à son ouverture et son assise dans les basses fréquences. Cette édition 40ème Anniversaire ne déroge pas à la règle et bénéficie des dernières optimisations réalisées sur le modèle Antal...

trianglehifi.co.uk

jonneymendoza · Friday at 14:29

mrk said:
Esprit 40th - Comète 40th

L’enceinte bibliothèque Comète 40th a su séduire des générations d’audiophiles grâce à son ouverture et son assise dans les basses fréquences. Cette édition 40ème Anniversaire ne déroge pas à la règle et bénéficie des dernières optimisations réalisées sur le modèle Antal...

trianglehifi.co.uk

Yea that definetly better lasts you forever lol hows the BASS?

Can it output good deep bass for dance/hoip hop music/sounds?

hornetstinger · Friday at 14:38

jonneymendoza said:
Yea that definetly better lasts you forever lol hows the BASS?

Can it output good deep bass for dance/hoip hop music/sounds?

I don't have those speakers or heard them but typically speakers of that size, it depends (I have a a pair of ported speakers of similar , quite large standmount with 7")

For a PC desk 2.0 system they'll be fine
In a small/medium room they should provide enough bass
But in larger room for stereo a sub may be needed
For a movie system then you'd want one- for action movies etc, be ok with "Last of the Summer Wine" because no aliens dropping nukes on that show.

Placement will effect bass response , front/side walls etc.

You need to go and demo them, to match your sound preference, source/amp/room etc, music style.

Although to be a music snob for "what's that racket" of that style, probably better to for Cerwin Vega haha :cry:

mrk · Friday at 15:16

Yeah amp+speaker+room acoustics pairing is crucial^ Could have the loudest speakers out there but if the amp doesn't gel with it or the room acoustics are out of alignment with the speaker type then it all goes a bit wobbly.

jonneymendoza said:
Yea that definetly better lasts you forever lol hows the BASS?

Can it output good deep bass for dance/hoip hop music/sounds?

Bass is very good, once you let the suspension materials acclimate over a bit of time it becomes deeper and hits nice and low but not lingering, I'd label it as fast and accurate but not boomy and "cinematic" or over-amplified if that makes sense. I have used them for movies though and it's very immersive still even without a sub thanks to how horn tweeters surround your ears giving an almost holographic placement to individual sounds in this sort of setup. For gaming it's just as immersive for the same reasons.

Videos are not the best way to get a feel for it but here's a quick clip recorded using wireless lavalier mics attached to my headrest to give a decently lifelike feel:

The cabinet is big enough to satisfy a living room fairly easily I'd say.

mrk · Monday at 13:01

This is very relevant to recent discussions around not only here but other places:

Timber · Monday at 14:04

mrk said:
This is very relevant to recent discussions around not only here but other places:

That's a 8-minute hot takes video that could be made in one, or two sentences!

FWIW I think the truth is somewhere in the middle, but measurements can't be dismissed. However sometimes even the debate on DACs being invisible ignores the implementation and the impact that can have, i.e. a very cheap DAC in a controller, or something. Subjectivity has a place and is particularly relevant on things like pricing, comfort and features. That's very specific to each individual. And there is nothing wrong in liking something that doesn't measure well, or actually is made worse by customisation. For example; I've rarely bought third-party earpads, but did with the Epos H6pro & PC38X (share a lot of DNA although the PC38X is better) and it did impact the sound. However it also improved the comfort and for gaming that trade-off was worth it.

One thing the video does ignore is the impact of the digital and modern tech on analogue equipment. I imagine that's a factor too.

jaybee · Monday at 15:53

Tiamat21 said:
Using a 5.1 setup in my living room with a Denon receiver. It’s on an LG CX.

Anyone have any experience with an LG CX to a receivers through arc?
Have to put an adapter on the arc bit due to the to not outputting DTS.

Getting a decent chunk of delay off my PC which is annoying at times

I have my LG CX connected to my Yamaha AVR via ARC. Everything goes out to it from the LG. All works flawless and has done for years.

jaybee · Monday at 16:00

jaybee said:
Still running my Mission M72s bought new from Richer sounds 20 years ago! I've since turned them upside down and turned the logo round as well, to make the tweeters more at ear level. Improved imaging and clarity slightly.

If I have to change the above setup in the future to a slightly narrower desk, requiring narrower speakers, any suggestions for replacement second hand speakers that sound as good/deep as the M72s without requiring a sub? I guess I would have to be looking at 4 inch woofer designs to see any meaningful reduction in the width of the cabinets?
I could raise the screen up and put the speakers on their side, but that might look a bit rubbish, and obviously the imaging would take a hit.
Or I suppose I could go for a 2.1 setup. Kind of like the 2.0 simplicity and not having to run a sub on the floor though.

henson0115 · Monday at 16:02

dekstop - smsl c200 pro with hd650 eq'd to the harman curve. although i do a lot of gaming streaming to sofa via sunlight to an nvidia shield, where im using a denon x2300w with a full q acoustic 2000i setup.

baritonejohann · Monday at 16:05

edifier mr4's really not bad at all for near field listening and gaming. dt770's are obviously miles better though

Tediore · Monday at 18:57

Schiit Magni 2 Uber and Modi 2 Uber with a pair of old (but still working flawlessly) Sennheiser HD598s for me. Far from the highest end set up, but I enjoy it. I wasn't sure the Schiit stuff was making that much difference over onboard when I first got it, but changed my mind recently when I had to go back to onboard while I repaired the plug for one of them.

I've also got a pair of Creative Pebbles at the side of my LG C2 that I bought for a laptop a good few years ago and only really use because they're better than the TV speakers. I'd like to swap them out for something small but maybe a little punchier without being too expensive, but not sure what to go for. Any suggestions?

mrk · Tuesday at 00:14

Luxsin X9 arrived today, it;s a bit of a desktop beast on size for sure, bigger than my DAC+Power amp setup combined lol.

Quick media, will share full thoughts in the daytime after I've spent some more hours testing and comparing the headphones out and the tailored EQ presets based on headphone model etc.

Angst · Tuesday at 08:29

I see audiolab have announced two new dacs the d7 and d9, the d7 actually looks like an interesting proposition at its price point.

Audiolab D7 (Black)

Shop for Audiolab D7 (Black) USB DAC/Headphone Amp with Richer Sounds for a 6 Year Guarantee, expert advice and Lowest Prices Guaranteed.

www.richersounds.com

Raymond Lin · Tuesday at 08:49

mrk said:
Luxsin X9 arrived today, it;s a bit of a desktop beast on size for sure, bigger than my DAC+Power amp setup combined lol.

Quick media, will share full thoughts in the daytime after I've spent some more hours testing and comparing the headphones out and the tailored EQ presets based on headphone model etc.

Is that not standard HiFi width size?

like a Denon?

Dimensions / Weight AVR-X2200W

manuals.denon.com

Wait, it's only 300mm, the Denon is like 434mm....so its big but also not huge, kinda awkward size lol