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2021 Desktop Setup - Your audio auditioning/archiving system

I'm more interested in things like the D&D 8C. At least they have performance AND aesthetics,

8C looks boring to me. . . I like the look of Grimm Audio LS1be better.
 
Here’s my current setup
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I built the Speedsters as a pandemic project. They’re far better than anything I’ve had previously, even hooked up to an MX3. Headphones had always been my best bang for the buck investment, so under the desk is a set of T50rp mk3’s and the Moondrop Blessing 2’s in the drawer.
 
Here’s my current setup
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I built the Speedsters as a pandemic project. They’re far better than anything I’ve had previously, even hooked up to an MX3. Headphones had always been my best bang for the buck investment, so under the desk is a set of T50rp mk3’s and the Moondrop Blessing 2’s in the drawer.

Nice looking speakers they look well done. Especially the simple white finish with black drivers look great.

I looked up the “Speedster” kit I would have probably chosen this kit as well, I like appreciating what small speakers can do and that ribbon tweeter sweetens the deal.
 
Thanks! The drivers they’re based on are both superb, especially for the size. That tang band woofer goes extremely deep for it’s width, too. Ribbons are an absolute treat. I’m hooked. They’re just… massive. Compare to the HK sound sticks that got me through my poorer years and they’re nearfields that require real estate. Sacrifices, right?
 
Just moved to a new place, now have a desktop for my computer audio. A Martin DRS2 on the left, a rolling roadie rack on the right with a Sony Blu-Ray player [Also plays back SACDs], Yamaha A/V receiver sitting on a Sonance sub. a/d/s 400 speakers, Drop 6XX headphones, Topping E/L 30 combo.


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This isn't a mixing or archiving system or anything, but this is the first desktop-specific system I've built. Space is pretty tight in my little home office, and the desk surface is only 50" x 24".

Source is the MacBook Pro headphone out jack, feeding an Aiyima A07 amplifier (thanks ASR reviews!). The amplifier L+R speaker outs are connected to the inputs of a passive 8" Anthony Gallo Acoustics Nucleus Micro Sub under the desk. The sub has left and right speaker-level inputs and outputs. There's a crossover in the sub with a 100Hz high-pass filter to feed the matching Nucleus Micro satellites on the desktop. The Micros use a full-range 3" driver.

The sound is quite good, though the low frequencies need to be EQ'd quite high for the sub to put out sufficient bass.

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This little thumbnail shows the sub, which follows the spherical speaker design theme for which Anthony Gallo is famous.

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Here's my setup. Not fancy but very functional and I take pride in finding continued use from my old 2010 macpro and the old Cerwin Vega bookshelf speakers. I figure the best way to take care of the planet is to buy something and keep it as long as you can instead of just buying new stuff over and over again and consuming all the energy and raw materials over and over again.

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passive 8" Anthony Gallo Acoustics Nucleus Micro Sub under the desk. The sub has left and right speaker-level inputs and outputs. There's a crossover in the sub with a 100Hz high-pass filter to feed the matching Nucleus Micro satellites on the desktop. The Micros use a full-range 3" driver.

For those with limited desk space like yourself, those Anthony Gallo speakers seem to be the solution.
 
buy something and keep it as long as you can instead of just buying new stuff over and over again and consuming all the energy and raw materials over and over again.

I agree.

I have a hard time understanding the aggressive accelerated “upgrade” process that is visible on some places online.
Plenty of disposable income and lack of inhibition/understanding can do that I guess. . .
 
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Here's my setup. Not fancy but very functional and I take pride in finding continued use from my old 2010 macpro and the old Cerwin Vega bookshelf speakers. I figure the best way to take care of the planet is to buy something and keep it as long as you can instead of just buying new stuff over and over again and consuming all the energy and raw materials over and over again.

I feel much the same, but sometimes a new product -- like the little A07 amp in my pictures above -- needs to be bought to fill a requirement. I can't believe how well this single-input amplifier with a volume knob does its job, at a size that fits so well on my desktop. I feel no need to replace it as long as it works and does the job I need it to do. It's an amazing bargain.

I like buying pre-owned audio gear and computers and vintage furniture, because I often like the older stuff better, many things are better made, and it can avoid new manufacture. My desk is about 57 years old, a very popular design built by Heywood-Wakefield from solid birch, model M320. It still has the original finish, and it's also fairly easy to refinish. The oak chair is probably between 60 and 100 years old. The Gallo speakers were bought on eBay, and while the Micro satellites are still in production by Gallo Acoustics after its sale and move to the UK, the passive sub hasn't been produced since about 2008.

My MacBook Pro is a mid-2014 model, bought new and in service since then. I may need to get a new one soon, but it's still doing well. I have some Windows laptops from my employer, and those last about 4-5 years in service.
 
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I feel much the same, but sometimes a new product -- like the little A07 amp in my pictures above -- needs to be bought to fill a requirement. I can't believe how well this single-input amplifier with a volume knob does its job, at a size that fits so well on my desktop. I feel no need to replace it as long as it works and does the job I need it to do. It's an amazing bargain.

I like buying pre-owned audio gear and computers and vintage furniture, because I often like the older stuff better, many things are better made, and it can avoid new manufacture. My desk is about 57 years old, a very popular design built by Heywood-Wakefield from solid birch, and it still has the original finish. The oak chair is probably between 60 and 100 years old. The Gallo speakers were bought on eBay, and while the Micro satellites are still in production by Gallo Acoustics after its sale and move to the UK, the passive sub hasn't been produced since about 2008.

My MacBook Pro is a mid-2014 model, bought new and in service since then. I may need to get a new one soon, but it's still doing well. I have some Windows laptops from my employer, and those last about 4-5 years in service.
Like your desk!
 
Like your desk!

Thank you!

The original Heywood-Wakefield company built some fabulous desks in the mid 20th century, nearly all from solid woods. The M320 that I have was in production in one form or another from about 1947 through 1966, occasionally updating designs or model numbers. While it doesn't have the swoopy asymmetric midcentury looks of the awesome M546 (which has less space, and has poor placement for stereo speakers), the M320 has good drawer space and a full-width/full depth top drawer. Image search on "Heywood Wakefield desk" to see a wide variety of designs.

Sadly, prices for midcentury furniture like this have gone crazy in the past decade, but there are still occasional bargains to be found.

M546 desk (also known as the Kohinoor Vanity Desk):

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M926 desk (available new from the continuation company at heywoodwakefield.com)

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My main desktop system. I use these JBL Control 1 speakers and Fosi 50w amp (really 18w per channel) when I don't want to fire up the main Altec Lansing horn system. The monitor is new, a Monoprice Dark Matter 49" which is great for productivity type duties like audio editing with Reaper or ProTools.

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Here's my setup:
PC >> Phiree USB-to-Toslink converter >>
(1) SMSL Sanksrit II >> Topping L30 >> KRK Rokit Gen 5 / Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
(2) Loxjie A30 >> Stax SRD-7 >> Stax SR-Sigma

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Recording setup. Usually, two OC818 mics used in mid/side to record classical guitar. The keyboard is for practice/accompaniment.
 

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