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2021 Desktop Setup - Your audio auditioning/archiving system

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Hey, thought I'd share my modest, good sounding desktop system for casual listening when on the computer.

Current Equipment: Streamer/Power Amplifier/ Monitors & Subwoofer
Blusound Node2 Streamer, I'm using the Node's subout crossed over @ 80Hz to a...
Quad LF-66 Subwoofer (Twin opposed long throw 6 inch woofers driven by a 400W amplifier)
The Node sends frequencies above 80Hz to a S.M.S.L. AO200 Amplifier.
Amplifier's speaker outs above 80Hz sent to Dynaudio Emit M10 monitors.
Fluid Audio DS8 desktop speaker stands*
Wireworld Luna interconnects
Dueland 16Ga hookup wire used as speaker cables, bare wire terminations.
Blue Jeans Cable's Cat6 Ethernet cable from WiFI extender to Node 2
Modest Monster Cable power strip

Positive reports on the forums here and this review persuaded me to give the amp a try.
I'm perfectly happy with it for desktop use. Fine tonality and clarity, matches up well with the Dynaudio monitors. Plenty of power.
Cons: very small binding posts, bare wire 14ga just fits. Depth of soundstage fine for desktop but a bit lacking in a medium sized living room.

Cost: Blusound Node2 - bought new on sale $450.00
SMSL AO200 Power Amp - $279.00 new full price
Dynaudio Emit M10 - bought mint used $500.00
Quad LF-66 Subwoofer - New on sale for $600.00

Obviously the AC needs upgrading and the Node 2 as well but honestly, the system sounds really good. Good synergy.
* between the speakers and the desktop stands are Herbie's Audio Lab Soft Dots for micro-vibration control.
The monitor stand is DiY from bamboo cutting boards.
PS: that's a 2TB backup drive on the left under the desktop speaker stands, still working on a NAS/SD Card player.
Rhetorical question: is it ever finished?
 
Just upgraded my system profiled above. Got out of storage an older but still good Maverick Audio D2 Tube DAC. Back in 2013 when I ordered the D2, I purchased the upgraded tube and opamps they offer. The D2 is limited to 24/96 but for casual listening its not an issue for me. I'm bypassing the Node 2's DAC using the Coaxial Out jack to the D2 DAC's coaxial input. Then out the D2's analog RCA jacks to the AO200 amp. Still using the Node 2's subout jack as detailed above.
Result: I'm a happy camper. Much more 'presence' than the Node 2's DAC was providing with a bit more detail. Sounds damn good for so inexpensive a system.
 
This is my "new" Desktop Audio System.

I am listening more and more on YouTube music videos. The speakers I have been using with my computer was to small. I started to plan for better ones.
The room is our library/office a small room 2x4 meters. The space under the bookshelf is about 30 cm. With all restrictions the result looks like this.


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My Desktop system.


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The amplifier is crammed under the desk.


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A homemade 6 channel amp with electronic crossovers. 24dB/okt. LR filters at 250 Hz and 3kHz. Bass 100 W, Mid. 60W, Treb. 60 W.


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Speakers used are :
Bass https://www.hifikit.se/media/attachment/file/8/i/8in_sb23mfcl45-8_rev-3.pdf
Mid https://www.hifikit.se/media/attachment/file/5/i/5in_satori_mr13p-4.pdf
Treble https://www.hifikit.se/media/attachment/file/s/b/sb26stac-c000-4.pdf

Bass speakers are sealed with Linkwithz Transform to 30 Hz.


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To handle the room response I bought the https://neutronhifi.com/devices/dac/v1


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This is my settings for the EQ. It made great improvements for the bass response in my listening position


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Mic. in my listening position.


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This is the REW result.


Compared to my big stereo system this have a sound-stage miles better than the far-field system.
If I move my head a few centimeters back and forth I can control the with of the sound-stage to my liking :) .




Bo Thunér from Linköping, Sweden.
 
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