Desktop audio question...

[Gymrat76]

Hi all

Specific question, so prob only those who are into audio might know..

A bit of a backside itchy question... current audio setup:

PC (source) > Mackie CR4 powered monitors + PSB Subseries 100 powered subwoofer

Will I hear a significant difference if I change the setup as such.

PC (source) > NAD D3020 amp > KEF ls50 or Wharfedale Diamond 121 (subwoofer optional, prob retain my PSB sub)

My music sources are mainly FLAC from a mix of genres: rock, jazz, country

Also used for gaming and movies the other times.

 

[Piezoq]

Buy the best speakers you can afford. Passives are not often used with a pc source. Too much space and equipment for an uncluttered setup. I think the Mackies are decent. Perhaps you'd like to take a look at studio monitors from Yamaha and Adam or dyn and focal.

Youll have to work your way up the chain from there with the dac etc. But start with the speakers.

Hi all

Specific question, so prob only those who are into audio might know..

A bit of a backside itchy question... current audio setup:

PC (source) > Mackie CR4 powered monitors + PSB Subseries 100 powered subwoofer

Will I hear a significant difference if I change the setup as such.

PC (source) > NAD D3020 amp > KEF ls50 or Wharfedale Diamond 121 (subwoofer optional, prob retain my PSB sub)

My music sources are mainly FLAC from a mix of genres: rock, jazz, country

Also used for gaming and movies the other times.

 

[wwenze]

KEF LS50 and Wharfedale Diamond 121 not even in the same price range... not even in the same housing estate...

NAD D3020 too... much more expensive compared to 121

But even if I have the money I won't buy D3020 or LS50. For the amp, you can buy a better integrated amp for the same money, either a Yamaha or a Marantz integrated - And these also come with SPDIF DAC so all you need is a USB to SPDIF converter or direct SPDIF out from motherboard or soundcard. Even a TEAC is better value than the D3020. The redeeming point of D3020 is that it has good USB and Bluetooth performance.

From Mackie CR4 to better speakers, yea you'd definitely hear an improvement. But why not Diamond 220? It's newer.

 

[Gymrat76]

KEF LS50 and Wharfedale Diamond 121 not even in the same price range... not even in the same housing estate...

NAD D3020 too... much more expensive compared to 121

But even if I have the money I won't buy D3020 or LS50. For the amp, you can buy a better integrated amp for the same money, either a Yamaha or a Marantz integrated - And these also come with SPDIF DAC so all you need is a USB to SPDIF converter or direct SPDIF out from motherboard or soundcard. Even a TEAC is better value than the D3020. The redeeming point of D3020 is that it has good USB and Bluetooth performance.

From Mackie CR4 to better speakers, yea you'd definitely hear an improvement. But why not Diamond 220? It's newer.

Thanks! I Guess I'm just starting to toy with the idea of upgrading the setup but my Friend suggested that it's probably overkill for a desktop setup. He has the KEF ls50 and they sound great on his secondary setup in the living room and I know they cost 1.8k vs 400+ for the Diamond 121s. I admit I'm a total newbie in this so suggestions for amps also are welcome. Only criteria is that is should be small (sit on my PC desk), are good and can decently drive a good pair of speakers such as the ls50s (for example). Added bonus if it has a phono input so I can toy with repairing my dad''s old Technics turntable haha

 

[alamakazim]

you also must factor ... can the speaker sound good nearfield

maybe not full potential

but if u money to spend... it might just sound better

loan your friend ls50, pretty small speaker... I think u will be poisoned

 

[t258jgn]

LS50

 

[wwenze]

Thanks! I Guess I'm just starting to toy with the idea of upgrading the setup but my Friend suggested that it's probably overkill for a desktop setup. He has the KEF ls50 and they sound great on his secondary setup in the living room and I know they cost 1.8k vs 400+ for the Diamond 121s. I admit I'm a total newbie in this so suggestions for amps also are welcome. Only criteria is that is should be small (sit on my PC desk), are good and can decently drive a good pair of speakers such as the ls50s (for example). Added bonus if it has a phono input so I can toy with repairing my dad''s old Technics turntable haha

LS50 is on the large side for a 5-inch bookself at 20cm width, brah. Meanwhile: Diamond 220 (17.4cm) Mission MX1 (17.2cm) Audioengine A5 (18cm), Adam Audio A5x (17cm). Heck, A7x is 20cm wide but has a 7" woofer.

Phono input is hard to find nowadays unless you go for those typical integrated amp. Which is the typical integrated amp size.

If you want to maximize sound quality without regards for anything else (DACs, preamp - including multiple sources switching, modularity/reliability), then go for a pair of studio monitors. If anybody tells you that is overkill for desktop, tell them that is what the sound guy was listening to when he created the sound for his music/movie.

 

[sglords]

Take a pic of your current setup

 

[kimsix]

If willing to spend for Ls50, can consider the alternatives

ATC SCM7 ~ $1.2k, rated as good or better. Suitable for desktop use because it is more compact and have no ports.
http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=205366.msg1173018#msg1173018

Dynaudio Emit M10 ~ $599, very 'cheap' compared to overseas. Visit Dynaudio Singapore facebook to ask
http://www.whathifi.com/dynaudio/emit-m10/review

 

[Gymrat76]

Take a pic of your current setup

 

[sglords]

Afraid you have to leave your chassis on the floor if you wan to upgrade to bigger woofer
And also you have to push your table away from the wall unless it's using front ported

 

[enenyi]

Your setup still has some room. Upgrade from Mackie CR4 to Mackie MR5Mk3 and you will hear a significant difference. Mackie's lower-end CR3/CR4/CR5 series no match for their higher end MR series studio monitors.

 

[Gymrat76]

Your setup still has some room. Upgrade from Mackie CR4 to Mackie MR5Mk3 and you will hear a significant difference. Mackie's lower-end CR3/CR4/CR5 series no match for their higher end MR series studio monitors.

If I'm going to upgrade, I'd go for something that will make a significant difference, no point going to the trouble for incremental improvements.

Appreciate all views so far, will think about the front vs rear ported discussion, plus also read that for speakers like the LS50, they prob sound best on a stand and further apart than on a desktop setting. WIll also look at the other recommendations

 

[enenyi]

If I'm going to upgrade, I'd go for something that will make a significant difference, no point going to the trouble for incremental improvements.

Wow, if that's the case, just get a Genelec. Best of its class.

http://luthermusic.com/products/recording/studio-monitors/genelec-8020c.html

Expensive though.

 

[ronnie_gogs]

Well these are my 2 cents for desktop audio.

I always believe that having a good professional source rather than the consumer grade DAC and amplifiers. The DAC in these sources are the ones used to record the music which I would listen to anyway. This is a personal preference. Also they are much cheaper than audiophile grade DACs.

For speakers I prefer studio monitors based on demo. Every speaker has a distinct sound to it and everyone has a different preference. What I consider very good may not be the same for someone else. So always demo your speakers to see if you like the sound. Try to remove any bias and listen to it as neutral as you can. Do not go with a mindset that just cause its expensive it will be good.

For sub-woofer thats a personal music preference. Some good studio monitors do have very good low frequency response and you may not even need a dedicated sub-woofer.

My setup
Steinberg UR44 and KRK Rokit 4 pair (I upgraded from a Steinberg Ci1)
2 Headphones for the 2 headphone outs. One a closed monitor ATH-M50X Audio Technica and other for gaming and music Audio technica ATH-AD700X

 

[wwenze]

Second the ATC SCM7 recommendation. Look at their price here vs overseas. And they come with protective grille which is rare for monitor speakers. (Unless rugged designs like the Genelec egg.)

Note that SCM7 is bass weak tho, although controlled, but at that price range you (or your sound studio) should be owning a subwoofer so that is workable.

 

[Gymrat76]

Second the ATC SCM7 recommendation. Look at their price here vs overseas. And they come with protective grille which is rare for monitor speakers. (Unless rugged designs like the Genelec egg.)

Note that SCM7 is bass weak tho, although controlled, but at that price range you (or your sound studio) should be owning a subwoofer so that is workable.

Thanks. Will def go down and take a listen to them. Read that they're quite power hungry, so I'll also need to find a nice compact (maybe integrated) amp if I decide on them. So many choices, I'm excited!

 

[wwenze]

Well these are my 2 cents for desktop audio.

I always believe that having a good professional source rather than the consumer grade DAC and amplifiers. The DAC in these sources are the ones used to record the music which I would listen to anyway. This is a personal preference. Also they are much cheaper than audiophile grade DACs.

For speakers I prefer studio monitors based on demo. Every speaker has a distinct sound to it and everyone has a different preference. What I consider very good may not be the same for someone else. So always demo your speakers to see if you like the sound. Try to remove any bias and listen to it as neutral as you can. Do not go with a mindset that just cause its expensive it will be good.

For sub-woofer thats a personal music preference. Some good studio monitors do have very good low frequency response and you may not even need a dedicated sub-woofer.

My setup
Steinberg UR44 and KRK Rokit 4 pair (I upgraded from a Steinberg Ci1)
2 Headphones for the 2 headphone outs. One a closed monitor ATH-M50X Audio Technica and other for gaming and music Audio technica ATH-AD700X

Different studio monitor also got different sound one.

Check out this guy for a lot of recordings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFKnGNIa58c

The DACs in pro audio interfaces are not necessarily better. Especially the cheaper interfaces below $500, the DAC are just good enough to be transparent - around -90 to -100 dB in distortion and noise performance. They tend to be more expensive than audiophile DACs for the same performance. However they are useful for many other things.

 

[Gymrat76]

I was looking at the NAD 3020 for a few reasons:

1. Good overall reviews, provides sufficient power for most speakers
2. Compact design
3. Quality build

Any other amplifiers that I should check out? The consideration is that No.2 (compactness) must be fulfilled as it sits on my desktop. Unless I go with another set of active speakers (but significantly better) than my current Mackies (will go listen to the Genelacs)

 

[wwenze]

Well if you want the amp to stand up to save space there isn't much choice... Nuforce comes to mind but that is even worse value proposition. D3020 is actually not that small in total volume compared to cheap China amps, see liao will shock.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1988580406.html#autostay