3 Setups for Desk-Fi System, Please help me choose...

[MANDEV1L]

Hi all,
I am building a Desk-Fi music system.

Think of 3 totally different combinations, which cost closely (~$1000)
Please rate for them and advice.

Audio Source: iPad Mini 7 + Wiim Ultra (USB Out)

1. Setup inspired by cheapaudioman, seems to have a very high price–performance ratio

DAC Pre: SMSL DL400 $500
Power Amp: Fosi Audio V3 Mono $280
Speakers: Emotiva Airmotiv XB1 $370

Price: $1150

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/897.html

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Monoblock Power Amplifier

Crafted for HiFi audiophiles, the V3 Mono allows you to drive a single passive speaker with one amp, delivering up to 240W @4Ω of rated power.

fosiaudio.com

Airmotiv XB1 Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair)

Airmotiv XB1 compact bookshelf speaker delivers rich, balanced sound with a folded ribbon tweeter — perfect for desktops, studios, or home theater setups.

emotiva.com

2. This setup combines cool tech from Schiit and IK Multimeida. I am interested how they will sound.
DAC Pre: Schiit Jotunheim True Multibit Unison DAC $600
Speakers: IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro (2024) $560

Price: $1160

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

iLoud Micro Monitor Pro

iLoud Micro Monitor Pro portable studio monitors by IK Multimedia with built-in ARC correction, X-Monitor integration, and more make critical mixing possible in the studio, at home or on the go.

www.ikmultimedia.com

3. R2R DAC + Tube Pre Setup, which I am totally unfamiliar with and want to experience
DAC: Fiio K11 R2R $160
Preamp: Bellari Audio PA555 $200
Speakers: Tannoy Gold 5 $500

Price: $860

Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier-K11 R2R

Guangzhou FiiO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.

www.fiio.com

PA555 - Preamplifier - Bellari Audio

You’ve probably heard it before—that backhanded compliment about a piece of audio gear: “It sounds really good… for the money.” It’s the kind of phrase that makes you raise an eyebrow. Sure, it’s a compliment—but with strings attached. The unspoken part is that, yeah, it sounds good considering...

www.bellariaudio.com

Tannoy | Product | GOLD 5

www.tannoy.com

 

[staticV3]

DAC Pre: SMSL DL400 $500
Power Amp: Fosi Audio V3 Mono $280
Speakers: Emotiva Airmotiv XB1 $370

Price: $1150

Skip the DL400, it really doesn't add anything to the Ultra that's not already there.

Instead, put those $500 towards better speakers or an additional subwoofer. That's where you'll actually hear a return in sound quality.

Ditto for the K11 and that preamp. They don't add anything to the system that's worth their cost.

 

[TurtlePaul]

Speakers matter most by far. The rest doesn’t matter. Spending 50% on electronics is a terrible mistake. I think the WiiM can do the EQ?

I was able to score a pair of used Genelec 8030c for $1k for my desktop setup. I am driving then with a JDS Atom+ DAC which is currently on sale for $59. The setup also has $50 of Monoprice RCA to XLR cables. I am confident it is better than any of your proposals despite next to nothing spent on electronics.

 

[boxerfan88]

Solely based on your options- my vote goes to #3.

(Personally, I would avoid #1 purely because budget allocation to speakers is too low.)

 

[MANDEV1L]

Skip the DL400, it really doesn't add anything to the Ultra that's not already there.

Instead, put those $500 towards better speakers or an additional subwoofer. That's where you'll actually hear a return in sound quality.

Ditto for the K11 and that preamp. They don't add anything to the system that's worth their cost.

sorry that I haven’t mention I do have a subwoofer which cost exactly $500 already.
A Kali WS-6.2.

Kali Audio — Watts WS-6.2 Subwoofer

www.kaliaudio.com

There are stereo RCA and XLR inputs and high passed XLR outputs which provide lots of options for pairing many DAC pre.

The choice for the DL400 is mostly because of its extension capabilities (AES, I2S , LDAC inputs and well-measured volume control and XLR outputs for the amp and speaker.

But instead of the choice of emotiva XB1, what better alternatives will you suggest ?
Of course, for a desk-fi system where space is limited.

 

[MANDEV1L]

Speakers matter most by far. The rest doesn’t matter. Spending 50% on electronics is a terrible mistake. I think the WiiM can do the EQ?

I was able to score a pair of used Genelec 8030c for $1k for my desktop setup. I am driving then with a JDS Atom+ DAC which is currently on sale for $59. The setup also has $50 of Monoprice RCA to XLR cables. I am confident it is better than any of your proposals despite next to nothing spent on electronics.

Yes, the ultra provides 10 band peq for room correction.

But i think for option 2, the IK’s DSP, room correction is much more powerful, plus the ability to simulate other speakers’ characteristics in their DSP software

 

[MANDEV1L]

Solely based on your options- my vote goes to #3.

(Personally, I would avoid #1 purely because budget allocation to speakers is too low.)

I already have a combination of
Matrix Audio X-SPDIF3 DDC
SMSL M400 DAC
SMSL SP400 Preamp
(and not planning to replace them currently),

the option #3 really seems a very interesting addons for experience new sounds.

 

[Galliardist]

the option #3 really seems a very interesting addons for experience new sounds.

This being a "hobby" and all that?

The basics - in a controlled (blind) test, you will almost certainly prefer the electronics you have now, and you are best off for now with the best speakers you can get with your current budget.

There will be opportunities to experience different types of equipment later, without paying for what will probably be a mistake now - there are dealers, shows, and you may already have friends who have traveled that way. What you describe is a useable system needing good speakers, which will probably be active in a desk-fi system: you need no more than that. Your entire budget, as of now, should go on getting those speakers.

For different sounds, for the near future, just play different music.

 

[TurtlePaul]

If you already have a Kali sub, why not spend $700 on Kali IN-5? Those are good speakers and in budget.

If you want to try the iLoud software, why not cut the electronics and get the iLoud Precision 5 - I think they were on sale for $499 each at one point.

 

[MANDEV1L]

If you already have a Kali sub, why not spend $700 on Kali IN-5? Those are good speakers and in budget.

If you want to try the iLoud software, why not cut the electronics and get the iLoud Precision 5 - I think they were on sale for $499 each at one point.

coz the in-5 is a way too big.
There is only 100cm between the left and right speakers, measured between the tweeter positions.

I place the kali sub below my desk just only for compensate a little bass for full range listening