Audio system for computer working room - Active Kali LP-UNF vs Passive D30 vs rest of the world

[Pioykowsky]

Hello.

At first, I hope I post in correct section. I want to ask about the whole systems combined, so I didn't know if I should post in speakers or DACs or AMPs section, so finally I ended up here.

I am thinking about upgrading my current desktop audio setup. So first a little background of me, then options I think of.

Until now I have 15-year old speakers Genius SP-HF1255A. I still remember buying them when I first went to the university Enough to say, for that time that was what I could afford and realistically could expect from my life. Fast forward until now, I have it in my computer room, and it became the worst system in my home and it annoys me. I find myself having no pleasure listening to it anymore. They are powered by PCM2704 USB DAC. Custom made "by Krawiec Audiostereo" if anyone wish to google it.
In the living room I have an Edifier R2750DB, it is powered by optical from my TV. I generally like it really much. I write this for a reference.

I was already convinced to buy Kali Audio LP-UNF speakers. They received only brilliant and praising reviews, also I was active in their thread on this forum, seemed like best solution for me in price range I wanted to spent.
Then I have impulsively bought an Loxjie D30 dac+preamp. The old one, based on AK4493, which I have read later is a bit worse than new ES9039 version. Noobish to say, but I bought it by a mistake - I was thinking that I am buying A30 with integrated AMP inside, when I saw it on flash sale. But I have only paid $80 for it, so no big deal.
Yesterday I have also took speakers from my sleeping room to my computer room. They are Edifier R1855DB. They have line in and optical input. In sleeping room they were conencted to TV with optical. I don't have an optical in my computer, so from this point I am talking about line in experience.
I was in shock how dark they play when I put it on my desk. I tuned down Bass knob by literally 45 degrees, and now it is acceptable. The overall sound quality is of course better, than old Genius speakers, but they are still too dark for me. The most important I notice is vocals being hidden and almost barely audiable comapred to what I am used to. I am also surprised I hear only a small difference between Loxjie D30 and old PCM DAC.

So now I am thinking between options like this:

1) To sell my Loxjie D30, buy LP-UNF and forget about it.

2) To sell my Loxjie D30, buy an A30 or some other similar DAC and passive speakers.

3) To continue using D30, buy an amp and passive speakers. Here my amp favourite is currently Douk Audio A5 which I have found is really good for it's price.

4) To continue using my D30 with Edifiers mentioned above... but for the time I don't like this idea, honestly speaking I was expecting to be more happy with them. It also requires me to buy any cheap speakers with optical which I don't like even more, because I will spent money for something that is low tier only to replace speakers I am not happy in my computer room either. I can use the Edifeirs until autumn - so no hurry, but finally I have to give them (or the new ones) back to the sleeping room.

Passive speakers that are my favorites for the moment are Cambridge SX-50 or Elac Debut 3.0 5,25" or maybe I will be able to buy used Elac Debut 2.0 in decent price. As mentioned above, my AMP favorite for now is Douk Audio A5.

Any more details I can provide if necessary. Thank you in advance for any helpful answers and thoughts

 

[staticV3]

I'd use active speakers with digital (preferably Optical) input whenever possible.

Keeps interference to a minimum and makes full use of Amps and drivers where passive systems would have inevitable losses.

An example I like to bring up:

Looking for a 3rd option for 8" stand mount passive speakers (~$1500 us retail with stands)

I just don't know the market very well at this price point, and I really like to consider 3 options for this kind of purchase. I am looking to add some stand mounts to our main room. These will be set up and taken down each use (use meaning 4-6+ hours). Initially, they will be driven by a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Pioykowsky]

I'd use active speakers with digital (preferably Optical) input whenever possible.

I'd rather avoid Optical, because I want to adjust volume from my PC and/or BT connected mobile.

But Kali LP-UNF are active speakers with built in DAC. You can connect them to PC via USB and they have BT as well. So do you think they should be better in my usage scenario, over system with Loxije D30 and some amp and passive speakers?

Swissonic A306 and A308 are not available in my region. I see they are active speakers that you connect to DAC. Hmm interesting option aswell, but isn't separate DAC more cost effective and more possible to play with?

 

[staticV3]

So do you think they should be better in my usage scenario, over system with Loxije D30 and some amp and passive speakers?

Yes.

Hmm interesting option aswell, but isn't separate DAC more cost effective and more possible to play with?

It depends.

Many active speakers, including the A306 and LP-UNF consist of Analog input->ADC->DSP Crossover->DAC->Amp->Drivers.

With these, you cannot bypass the internal DAC.

Using their digital input simply bypasses the ADC and feeds the DSP and internal DAC directly for optimal signal fidelity.

 

[Pioykowsky]

Using their digital input simply bypasses the ADC and feeds the DSP and internal DAC directly for optimal signal fidelity.

Yes, yes, pardon I think I made a little misunderstanding I'm comparing to set like D30 DAC -> Douk A5 AMP (analog?) -> Cambridge XS-50 (analog) passive speakers. But for the moment i understand it like still worse solution than LP-UNF?

EDIT oh wait.
All these amps are class D, so does it basically mean ADC inside them?

 

[staticV3]

EDIT oh wait.
All these amps are class D, so does it basically mean ADC inside them?

DSP Crossover + Analog input = ADC inside.

Class D Amps are traditional analog in->analog out devices with no digitization as such.

 

[dedobot]

When I hook up LPUNF to my old laptop (win7pro) I totally forgot about the other input options.
USB audio is great, trouble-free interface. Wasapi shared/exclusive both works flawless.