New PC speaker advice

I do like the look of the Audioengine HD3's (Thanks nicknack35) and I like the fact the DAC is built in. Top of my list now...probably.
 
Recommend you at least check out the Focal CMS range, they are in an end of line sale and are a total bargain.

Edit: They seem to have returned to full price at most places?!? Also note they are priced each.
 
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rosscouk said:
I do like the look of the Audioengine HD3's (Thanks nicknack35) and I like the fact the DAC is built in. Top of my list now...probably.
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£400 is quite expensive for speakers with only 2.75" woofers. Does the inclusion of headphone amp and Bluetooth justify the extra £200 over the A2+?

Plus being small, there's more a chance you'd want a subwoofer as well. Speakers with 5" or larger woofers might be satisfying enough without the need for a subwoofer.

Worth considering a SMSL AD18 for £120, which will give you speaker and headphone amps a DAC and Bluetooth connection. For a £400 budget that leaves £280 for some nice passive speakers with plenty of choice.
 
Marsman said:
£400 is quite expensive for speakers with only 2.75" woofers. Does the inclusion of headphone amp and Bluetooth justify the extra £200 over the A2+?
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Don't come at me with your common sense!!

The plus points for me, they might fit on my desk, its a tidy one box solution, I think could stream to the speakers when PC off. Downsides, small and might need a sub, expensive.
 
Just done a bit more research and it looks like the DAC on the Audioengine's HD3 may not be able to process high def sound; I read on Soundandvision;

"Hi-res audio purists should note that the DAC operates at 44.1 kilohertz (CD quality) or 48 kHz (slightly better), so the system isn’t necessarily hi-res throughout the signal chain. However, it had no trouble accepting files stored at up to 192 kHz and 24 bits and via my PC running foobar2000"

I don't want to get the wrong end of the stick, what are the implications for this? Ultimately I would like to be able to play high-res files, will this be a show stopper?
 
rosscouk said:
I don't want to get the wrong end of the stick, what are the implications for this? Ultimately I would like to be able to play high-res files, will this be a show stopper?
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It won't produce ultrasonics which human can't hear but which can cause intermodulation distortion to audible range.
Audio CD standard was designed basing to lots of scientific studying of human hearing and be enough for human ear's capabilities in almost anything.
http://drewdaniels.com/audible.pdf
 
Thanks for the replies guys, its really helpful getting your feedback.

I just re-read the review on What Hi-Fi for the Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2's and they do sound great. They don't have USB in, just 3.5 or optical. So I now need to look around for a DAC to pair them with. I was half waythrough listening to the review of the SMSL AD18 and I want to finish that and then scout around a bit more.
 
Morning all,

I have been reading around DACs in my price point, up to £200 say. Ideally I wanted to have the ability to go as high as 192kHz at 24-bit, even though right now, I don't play files like that. But I am eyeing Tidal again.

Anyway, I originally liked the look of Meridian Explorer 2 and the Audioquest Dragonfly Red. The Meridian can do MQA out of the box and 24/192, but the reviews don't appear to be as good as the DF Red. The DF Red though looked out of the picture as doesn't support 24/192 just 24/96 however it just had MQA ability added. Ideally I would like an updated DF Red with 24/192 and MQA.

Does anyone have any experience of the Meridian Explorer 2 or DF Red? For Meridian I assume I would just take a USB type b into the device and a 3.5 jack into the Ruarks MR1 Mk2's. For DF Red, USB into PC and then 3.5 into speakers.
 
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