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  #21  
Old 02-08-2018, 05:44 PM
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Masterlu Masterlu is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mouse View Post
I just got the A5+ and the matching sub
I took an oath of silence; all I can say is that this is a real Game Changer.
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  #22  
Old 02-08-2018, 06:22 PM
JMD JMD is offline
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Mouse

Are you just running the A5's straight from you computers sound card? If so there are a multitude of inexpensive USB DAC's you can put in the middle. A popular one on the Head-Fi site is the SMSL M-8A. I'm sure there are plenty of others from Schitt and others that would be desktop appropriate.
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  #23  
Old 02-08-2018, 10:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMD View Post
Mouse

Are you just running the A5's straight from you computers sound card? If so there are a multitude of inexpensive USB DAC's you can put in the middle. A popular one on the Head-Fi site is the SMSL M-8A. I'm sure there are plenty of others from Schitt and others that would be desktop appropriate.
Yes, straight from my PC's sound card right now.
I know that an external DAC could upgrade the sound, I just thought the main limitation in sound is the speakers and the free cables that came with them.
Has anyone with the same A5+ speakers compared external DAC vs PC soundcard and found difference enough to clutter a desktop?
If the difference is significant and the A5+ is good enough to hear the difference I'm buying one.

While the A5+ is the best I've tried (and I've tried quite a few), I felt like it's a perfect temporary option until I pull the trigger on an Audio Research system.

I must say that they are great as a nearfield speaker while I'm working under low to medium volumes. However they don't sound great in the room, but from my office chair they are more than adequate, and considering the limitations I'd say it's nearly a perfect fit. Sounds clear enough but leaves me wanting more (I'm hoping cables and/or external DAC will squeeze much more), almost too big for a desktop system but I managed to squeeze it in perfectly, the subwoofer fits exactly where I need it to go and sound great considering the price, the system is non-fatiguing and I can listen to music in my office all day again. There is a lot less noise compared to the Paradigm CT2 system it replaced. Thanks for the recommendations!
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  #24  
Old 02-09-2018, 01:09 AM
JMD JMD is offline
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The SMSL m8A is only 4" x 5" so not much room taken. Since it is from Amazon you have 30 days to try it and find out if it works. Just let it send the signal full strength to the speakers and control the volume there. I only use mine for background level music so I don't expect it to sound like my other two systems. A basic sound card provided by the PC maker is going to be the first weak link in the system and hopefully it or the something will correct that enough to satisfy you. Other speaker options like the JBL or other "Pro" monitors are going to be even bigger.
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  #25  
Old 02-09-2018, 02:00 AM
Mouse Mouse is offline
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Attached is a screenshot of my sound card settings.
24 bit 192000 seems like very high quality for a soundcard considering I read there are limitations of USB, and to take advantage full advantage of a DAC connected to a PC is using the optical options. This is all new to me.
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File Type: jpg soundcard.jpg (9.1 KB, 14 views)
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  #26  
Old 02-09-2018, 08:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mouse View Post
I ended up going this route. They sound decent and they were on the showroom at my local audio dealer.

How do I push better sound out of them?
A better 1/8" cable? Or do I really need to get a USB DAC?
I don't have a specific budget in mind, but I wasn't looking to invest too much into $400 speakers.
I ran Audioengine HD6s with an Audioquest Dragonfly red, it was a huge improvement over the iMac's line out. I sold that setup and I'm currently using cheaper Presonus Eris 4.5s with a Dragonfly black. The sound isn't far off from the Audioengine's. I don't think you can go wrong with either of those, anything more might be overkill for that setup. I think a decent DAC like that would really finish off the sound for you nicely.
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