Advice on using ADI-2 DAC with computer, speakers, and headphones

[mrcultureshock]

Hi all,

I'm interested in buying the ADI-2 DAC but I have a question on how to connect to my set up. I'd like to connect the DAC as follows:

PC --> DAC --> 1) Speakers (Vanatoo Transparent Zero) or 2) Headphones. I'll be using the RME DAC as a switch to change between speakers and headphones.

What is the best way to connect my current system to ADI-2 DAC so the above is possible?

Thanks!

 

[Willem]

Your speakers already have digital inputs so you could connect them directly to the pc. I am not sure of the benefits of a professional and very high quality but pricey dac used in combination with quite modest speakers.

 

[mrcultureshock]

Could you recommend better speakers that will go well with the RME DAC?

 

[andreasmaaan]

Could you recommend better speakers that will go well with the RME DAC?

Any active speakers will go well with that DAC! It is, for all intents and purposes, perfect - but so are significantly cheaper DACs.

If your main concern is getting the highest fidelity out of the littlest $$$, I'd suggest buying a cheaper DAC and spending your change on speakers.

Give a budget and intended listening conditions and members here will be able to advise you.

 

[mrcultureshock]

Thanks for the advice. Here are my budget and listening conditions:

Budget: less than $1500

Listening condition: the system will be set up on my desk, along with a computer.

Needs: I'm looking for a high quality DAC/amp combo that can drive high impedance headphones as well as IEMs. Morever, this DAC/amp combo also needs to be able to drive studio monitors that are not too large for a desk. I'm looking to combine a headphone set up with a speaker set up because the space is limited.

 

[andreasmaaan]

The Adi-2 DAC more than fulfils this requirement, so you're on the right track there, although as I said, you probably don't need to spend that much.

Just to clarify, you want a high-performance DAC/headphone amp with volume control and balanced outputs (i.e. for the active speakers). Is that correct?

 

[mrcultureshock]

The Adi-2 DAC more than fulfils this requirement, so you're on the right track there, although as I said, you probably don't need to spend that much.

Just to clarify, you want a high-performance DAC/headphone amp with volume control and balanced outputs (i.e. for the active speakers). Is that correct?

That's correct.

 

[Willem]

The point we are trying to make is that even quite cheap electronics are very good and that even very expensive speakers are not nearly as good. So a very large part of the budget should go to the speakers.

 

[maty]

Budget: less than $1500

Listening condition: the system will be set up on my desk, along with a computer...

Better with 5.25" woofer. And with front bass-reflex too.

https://www.thomann.de/intl/active_nearfield_monitors.html?oa=rat


5" and 5,25"

https://www.thomann.de/intl/active_...eature-47039[]=1x 5"&feature-47039[]=1x 5,25"

 

[maty]

Very important question: to work or to enjoy?

 

[mrcultureshock]

Very important question: to work or to enjoy?

It'll be for both, work and pleasure.

 

[maty]

Size of the room, distance of the speakers to the back wall and to the sides. I say it in case a larger woofer and rear bass-reflex.

 

[maty]

To enjoy, much better tweeter with class AB amp.

Cheap class D and tweeter with very good recordings and/or acoustic instruments I would avoit it.

 

[mrcultureshock]

Size of the room, distance of the speakers to the back wall and to the sides. I say it in case a larger woofer and rear bass-reflex.

My desk is in a loft (open 2nd floor), so the acoustics are not great. I don't need the speakers to project to the entire room. I just want good sound in the desk area.

 

[maty]

Remember: electronic music -> bigger woofer and or subwoofer.

The best option is a 5.25" woofer, two amplifiers, tweeter with Class AB and front bass-reflex. If later you need more bass (electronic, hip hop ...) you can add a subwoofer.

 

[Willem]

My personal favourite desktop speaker is the Harbeth P3ESR. I drive them with a second hand refurbished 2x100 watt Quad 405-2. The source is my desktop pc into an Odac usb dac.

 

[Tks]

You can connect powered I believe in this fashion if you want to something like the RME.

Take this cable type (3.5mm to 3.5mm cable)

Attach it to this (3.5mm to RCA adapter/splitter/whatever)

Now take the RCA portion, and attach it to the RME (Unbalanced RCA-out)

Finally connect the 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable to the speaker (Analogue input port)

 

[ScofieldKid]

Maybe this https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B07G3D2C8S
and this https://tmraudio.com/components/int...ga-brio-r-stereo-integrated-amplifier-remote/
That's Klipsch RP 600M and Rega Brio R

 

[mrcultureshock]

How about 2 of these with the RME DAC? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1025382-REG/genelec_8010_3_2_way_active_monitor.html

 

[ScofieldKid]

How about 2 of these with the RME DAC? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1025382-REG/genelec_8010_3_2_way_active_monitor.html

Just adding two cents, I'm personally not a big fan of 3" driver stuff... but that's just me...