Justin 😸

Ok I’m shopping for a desk appropriate DAC and speaker amp combo that doesn’t break the bank (<~700USD total). There are SO many spec options available I’m a bit stuck in analysis paralysis. Plus what I want to do might be a tough sell in any case so maybe I’ve backed myself into a corner.

Two digital inputs (two pcs, both support usb or toslink optical. One could maybe do ‘headless’ hdmi earc?), plus bluetooth (or usb?) from a mobile device.

Passive speakers (Micca RB42, so needs a bit of oomph to push). Nearfield desktop setup. Plus I’d like the option to switch to headphones. Less special but should be good enough.

On the DAC, It looks like maybe a balanced dac+headphone amp like the newer SMSL or FiiO or Topping? There are a few chip choices to look at? Then extra stuff like R2R, pffb and other electrics?

On the amp, class D (the TI one everyone likes?), I have a little less info here.

This is a topic that at first glance feels like a good AI agent would be ok at - pull in specs and objective measurement and subjective reviews and optimize. But this is not possible. There is far too much slop out there already and it just looks like (Gemini at least where I have some tokens) just gives up super fast.

Where do I go from here? Happy to get recommendations on components to optimize around, directions to start digging.

#audiophile #budgetaudiophile

Jan 18 at 9:52pmWeb
Show threadRaineer  ðŸ¦†Jan 18

@onyxraven I have exactly your use case, even down to the RB42s.

The audiophile wars will never stop raging, but from a DAC standpoint I think anything from SMSL or Topping is fine. I do use a decent amount of Schitt gear but have had trouble with longevity and reliability

I am currently using SMSL A200 as my desktop amp. It drives the miccas fine, but the style of the front display isn’t for everyone. Before that it was some little topping thing I can’t find anymore.

My current DAC is a Schitt Syn, but I’m only using that bc I have a powered sub in the setup. Its headphone amp is fine.

Before I had the sub I bounced around a lot, but I was good with an old Topping DX7 Pro (looks like they have a new one now). But seriously any DAC should do.

Show threadJustin 😸Jan 18
@raineer yeah it seems like there are little upgrades here and there on the dac but almost all of them are great. The small differences are in the first party filters and such that folks like schiit build. The new Mimir seems neat.
Show threadJustin 😸Jan 20

@raineer Nice. Because my desire for multiple inputs and some flexibility, I'm leaning towards the SMSL RAW-MDA1. It seems pretty unique in the market.

There are some other alternatives in the range from SMSL (DL200 and SU-2) and Topping (DX5II and E50II/E50III) as well. The topping look nice since they have a PEQ. Differences are in the DAC chips (ES9039 vs AK4497 on the E50)

Show threadWez FurlongJan 18
@onyxraven I'm not entirely sure of your requirements, but I'd suggest taking a look at https://www.wiimhome.com They have an DAC+Amp combo device that is also a streamer that is reasonably priced and which has a pretty decent DAC. Not sure if it has all the inputs that you want, but it does have a good range of input options.
WiiM | Redefining Home Audio: Affordable, Innovative, Hi-Res Sound

WiiM unveils a new era of home audio – an ultimate wireless sound system that paints your home with stunning sound, room by room, through a whole-house WiFi network.

Show threadJustin 😸Jan 18
@wez ya, those are on my list! People really seem to like them. I don’t necessarily need all the streaming options. I was thinking of going towards the more discrete components but keeping the simpler options in mind too :)
Show threadWez FurlongJan 18

@onyxraven I have the non-amp (ultra) version on my desk here (have a separate NAD C-389 in this room). In another room we have an ultra with their separate vibelink amp, making a mini stack. It's separate because we already had the second ultra before we realized that we'd also need a compact amp; would have bought the amp or amp ultra if spec'ing that room from scratch. I'm not really an audiophile; I just appreciate things that work well, and the wiims work great. For my desk setup I use a Scarlett audio interface to mix audio sources down to feed into my amp.

re: streaming, I value it on the wiims because it can work independent of whatever computer I'm using, and my music doesn't get interrupted if/when I reboot or switch to another system, plus it's great to have physical play/pause button within arm's reach that I know will immediately operate on my music.

Show threadWill GlynnJan 19

@onyxraven I think this comes down to goals.

In 1962, "the highest quality" hi-fi systems output 50W at <1% total harmonic distortion, with 10% being considered "normally acceptable". 60 years later, a $2 chip can output 50W at <0.01% THD.

I for one am perfectly happy with class D amplifiers, but I also hold the controversial-in-audiophile-circles belief that the performance of audio systems can be measured.

Show threadJustin 😸Jan 20
@willglynn I've been checking up on ASR for reviews - knowing that most other reviews are gamed/AI anyway. They also have a quite realistic userbase that is not mired in more-expensive-must-be-better.