DAC+AMP with PC speakers?

Ice Rich

Ice Rich

Ice Rich

Soldato
Joined
3 Dec 2004
Posts
2,676
Finally got back into PC gaming after many years, got a nice little PC (nothing special) and really enjoying it. At the moment I have it plugged into a John Lewis digital radio via 3.5mm auxiliary cable and it has actually been ok for the past few weeks!

I've never been that clued up on audio but I have been reading through the forums this morning and I like the sound of a DAC+AMP (i'd not heard of DAC before) all in one unit. Not sure which speakers i'll be going for yet but will most likely be a small bookcase type.

Would you say something like this could work:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28399042...10Nvr/0fuCFU6Hg46HnNcovDXB8a|tkp:BFBMyKDjg_pf

I see nearly all of these DAC/AMP units come with front headphone connector, which although I don't plan to use it with phones that often. It'll be nice just in case.

Am I right in saying it would be best to connect DAC to PC via USB and then DAC to speakers via the photo type L+R leads?

Thank you,
 
You need to look at the type of studio monitors you'll potentially be buying later on as depending what you go for will dictate the DAC / AMP requirements, budget plays a big part too.
 
Thanks Glanza, good point,

I've not committed yet but the Bose Companion 2 or 3 Series desktop speakers seem to fit my size and budget of £100 quite well (used, good condition seem to be available for around this price)
 
After reading a bit more through the forums I went with the Creative SoundBlaster G6 :) Which seems a good choice as i'm only using on-board audio at the moment (i can't fit a sound card into my small PC) and this seems to have a soundcard built is as well as DAC.

I'm still looking for 2 small speakers and after doing some searching I like the look of the double Bose cube ones (like the following but ideally in better condition):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18536138...xsnJNZs63PqoSTjjC5ndYsa4JOzFGS-saAhY4EALw_wcB

Good choice?

If anyone could look at the speakers above and tell me the name of the cable that connect the Soundblaster to speakers I'd be really grateful.

Thank you
 
Ice Rich said:
After reading a bit more through the forums I went with the Creative SoundBlaster G6 :) Which seems a good choice as i'm only using on-board audio at the moment (i can't fit a sound card into my small PC) and this seems to have a soundcard built is as well as DAC.

I'm still looking for 2 small speakers and after doing some searching I like the look of the double Bose cube ones (like the following but ideally in better condition):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18536138...xsnJNZs63PqoSTjjC5ndYsa4JOzFGS-saAhY4EALw_wcB

Good choice?

If anyone could look at the speakers above and tell me the name of the cable that connect the Soundblaster to speakers I'd be really grateful.

Thank you
Click to expand...

No those speakers are terrible I wouldn't want them even if you have me £100.

Look at wharfedale diamond 9.0 as a start, with a sub. Or bigger speakers
 
Ice Rich said:
Thanks Glanza, good point,

I've not committed yet but the Bose Companion 2 or 3 Series desktop speakers seem to fit my size and budget of £100 quite well (used, good condition seem to be available for around this price)
Click to expand...

Bose are rubbish mate they're the worst speakers you can buy.

I'd recommend using a AV amplifier as that has features like hdmi inputs, room correction, bass management, surround sound decoding, remote control, time alignment of speakers and sub, multi channel amplifier, headphone amp.

A stereo digital integrated amp is another option, sound will be better but won't have the features of the AV amp.
 
Thanks for reply hornet :)

Ok glad i didn't go with those Bose ones then.
I don't have room for a sub unfortunately and no, I didn't know I would need an amp :D - I thought the SoundBlaster G6 had this built in but realise now this possibly is just for headphones? The amp is needed to power the speakers then?

Ok thank you for suggestions, will have a look at those speakers now. At the moment I'm plugged into a digital radio so anything is going to sound a lot better really.
 
That soundblaster is a headphone amplifier. You'll need a speaker amplifier.

Other speakers could be q acoustic like 3030i
But there are hundreds of brands.

Also decide if you want a avr or stereo integrated amplifier.

Btw that soundblaster will be redundant once you have one of the above.
 
I would recommend a subwoofer. If it's under the desk then you don't need a high end sub costing thousands. Something like 10" sealed box or ported will be fine. I'm using a wharfedale diamond sw-150 for the pc system and its good.

Since the speakers are close to you you may want "monitor" speakers these are designed for close listening. I'm not aware of many passive speakers are designed like this maybe BBC LS? As I'm more into greater distance speakers room layout.
 
PreSonus Eris 3.5's I myself have some and a few others I know of on here.

Desk has been re-arranged and tidied since but those speakers are fine


after arm added and tidied up
 
Liquid_Entity said:
PreSonus Eris 3.5's I myself have some and a few others I know of on here.

Desk has been re-arranged and tidied since but those speakers are fine


after arm added and tidied up
Click to expand...

That's fine if you have one source. How would you connect

Xbox 360
PS3
PS4
PS5
Xbox X
Dvd player
BD player
TV
Kodi box
Audio streamer
CD player
Record player
Tuner
DAC Tape deck
VHS player
Laser disc player
Psx1
Nintendo SNES
Nintendo N64
Nintendo Wii
Mega drive
Master system
Betamax
Freesat/freetv

A bit ott but I think you get my point
 
Typical inputs required would be

Analogue left and right
Optical digital
Coaxial digital
Hdmi for video and audio from SD to 8k, HDR, vrr, 120hz..hdmi spec 1.4 to 2.1
HT bypass

Outputs
RCA out zone 2
RCA pre outs
Two hdmi for dual display
Coaxial/optical digital out.
Speaker outputs
 
Thanks very much for replies guys, I will continue to read up and look at the suggestions.

Also, wow! That's a very impressive looking system Liquid. I don't have the space or budget for something like that but the size of those speakers would be ideal.
 
I'm using a avr, standmount speakers, bipole rears and subwoofer, 4.1 system for desktop system. Hdmi so can connect consoles..optical and coaxial inputs so that's pcs. Coaxial for audio streamer. Hdmi for dvd player...and several inputs free say if I get PS5/latest Xbox
 
Not everyone has room for multiple surround systems with 4 (or was it 8) PowerSound 18" drivers in their homes hornetstinger.

It sounds like all the OP wants is a nice set of nearfield powered monitors to hook up to his new sound card. No AV processors, pre-amps or 7.1 multchannel power amps required!
 
agw_01 said:
Not everyone has room for multiple surround systems with 4 (or was it 8) PowerSound 18" drivers in their homes hornetstinger.

It sounds like all the OP wants is a nice set of nearfield powered monitors to hook up to his new sound card. No AV processors, pre-amps or 7.1 multchannel power amps required!
Click to expand...

Need to decide what sources he plans. If he's got a console and a pc, to power passive speakers that means a AVR so whether he wants a small discrete system is irrelevant. You're not going to get a cigarette sized amp with multiple hdmi in and out.

Something like q acoustics 3020i and a t amp is a good starting point if just have one source with analogue output
 
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Cheers guys,

Yes apologies I should have mentioned the source - I only have the 1 PC so no need for multiple outputs.

Those nearfield powered monitors look very nice - would the soundblaster G6 be powerful enough to power those do you think?
 
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