Spec me: Integrated Speaker Amp, Headphone Amp, DAC

hornetstinger said:
Like I said, apart from USB, it's sort of suitable. the USB is only for data storage, not USB audio in. If PC is a source you could use optical.

But having USB C? I've not seen any audio devices with that they're typically type B. The processor I have uses Mini USB for audio.
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The Xduoo XA-02 is USB-C in.

The X9 has both USB-B and USB-C.
 
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I mean, I’m not so bothered about the connector, I have draw full of junk including adapters, the important thing is it has a USB input of some kind as the one and only input will be a Mac.
 
Wow, when you decide to do something you do it! Correct decision on getting the speakers back in use, way too lovely to have on the sidelines, being inactive.

Maybe look at getting some desk stands for them. I got some isoAcoustic 155s for my AE1s, much improvement from the isolation foam pads, and much much better than having them flat one desk.

This next is not a serious suggestion to the original topic: since you like Quad, you have the 11Ls, and were looking at their headphones, have you seen the Quad 3? It's an all in one DAC, Headphone Amp, Speaker Amp, USB-B input. Since the later USB-C contains the specifications from the earlier USB-A+B, you can get a cable to go between C (computer side) to B (DAC side). There''s 2 issues: it's not cheap. it's also retro in it's EQ functionality, as in it's only got 2 dials, bass and tilt. Buuuuut all Quad setup... lol

Please don;t take that as a serious suggestion, not seen any reviews of the Quad 3 yet.
 
Starvald said:
Wow, when you decide to do something you do it! Correct decision on getting the speakers back in use, way too lovely to have on the sidelines, being inactive.

Maybe look at getting some desk stands for them. I got some isoAcoustic 155s for my AE1s, much improvement from the isolation foam pads, and much much better than having them flat one desk.

This next is not a serious suggestion to the original topic: since you like Quad, you have the 11Ls, and were looking at their headphones, have you seen the Quad 3? It's an all in one DAC, Headphone Amp, Speaker Amp, USB-B input. Since the later USB-C contains the specifications from the earlier USB-A+B, you can get a cable to go between C (computer side) to B (DAC side). There''s 2 issues: it's not cheap. it's also retro in it's EQ functionality, as in it's only got 2 dials, bass and tilt. Buuuuut all Quad setup... lol

Please don;t take that as a serious suggestion, not seen any reviews of the Quad 3 yet.
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Looks nice doesn’t it the Quad3! Will keep an eye out if this Nad conks out on me.

I struggle a bit to justify paying for brand new hifi kit when you so much more bang for your buck second hand, it’s not like things from a few years back sounds any worse. My Naim stack in the living sounds amazing and I picked that up for tuppence(ish)
 
mid_gen said:
Looks nice doesn’t it the Quad3! Will keep an eye out if this Nad conks out on me.

I struggle a bit to justify paying for brand new hifi kit when you so much more bang for your buck second hand, it’s not like things from a few years back sounds any worse. My Naim stack in the living sounds amazing and I picked that up for tuppence(ish)
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you you can get some real second hand bargains. Think the best deal I got was pair of speakers 1/6th value of the new price.
 
I'd recommend staying away from the X9 unfortunately, growing number of people reporting channel imbalance issues, and this is on the final product, as I've warned on here a number of times Chinese brands still have a way to go on quality control rushing products to market without proper testing.

@mid_gen

My Recommendation for smaller stereo amp is the Mission 778X
 
A "growing number"? The X9 thread on headfi only has 2 people with it after doing a search within the thread for balance, one of those was me and my sample was pre-release, the other guy got sorted out as far as can be seen.

OP wanted a desktop friendly amp, 778X at 38cm deep is nowhere near suitable for that sort of use as what has been outlined...
 
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NAD 3045 arrived, immaculate, nice little amplifier, little bigger than I expected but it'll sit nice vertically.

Unfortunately there's just no way right now I can accommodate the Quads on my desk. I've wired them in to test, and they sound bloody lovely with the NAD, really nice pairing actually, perfect easy sound for listening all day while working.

Gotta wait a week or so now until my new monitor arrives and I can get this gigantic ultra wide off my desk :)
 
Ok, couldn't wait, had to stack this monstrosity up.

COA4DU8.png


The NAD 3045 is really good, significantly better than the Naim Nait 5i Mk2 I had wired up to these Quads last time. Either that or the DAC in the 3045 is that much better than the iFi ZenDac V2. Either way, even with the speakers on their side like this (don't worry, they are on old mousemats, I'm not trashing the piano gloss finish), they sound amazing.

I'm not sure how much work I'll get done with this setup, the stereo imaging and instrument separation is incredible. I've just been sat here for half an hour listening to DJ Koze (one of the best producers in the business if you ever want to test out a system btw)
 
I'd probably put the speakers outside of the monitor, in usual vertical arrangement, can you get some desk mounted brackets for the speakers, if the desk is same width of the monitor etc
 
mid_gen said:
Ok, couldn't wait, had to stack this monstrosity up.


The NAD 3045 is really good, significantly better than the Naim Nait 5i Mk2 I had wired up to these Quads last time. Either that or the DAC in the 3045 is that much better than the iFi ZenDac V2. Either way, even with the speakers on their side like this (don't worry, they are on old mousemats, I'm not trashing the piano gloss finish), they sound amazing.

I'm not sure how much work I'll get done with this setup, the stereo imaging and instrument separation is incredible. I've just been sat here for half an hour listening to DJ Koze (one of the best producers in the business if you ever want to test out a system btw)
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Aw yeah, that's gonna look great once you get them back up in the proper orientation. Look at getting some pads or stands to get the tweeters angled towards your ears, and also to reduce the bass boom you'll get off the desktop.

I too have given up on ultrawides, although mine wasn't a wide as yours.
 
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