Best DAC/amp or stack for 1500$

[NecroRAM]

Needs to have TRS or XLR balanced outputs for active monitors and a great headphone amp with a 4.4mm jack.
I know about the ADI 2, but are there other interesting options?
I dont mind coloration if its interesting.

Im considering it for my endgame setup with Neuman 5-inch KH120 IIs and Focal Clears. I could go for the RME Firebase audio interface, but I rarely if ever use the inst ins anyway, so might as well sacrifice them for better dac/amp components.

 

[staticV3]

Neumann digitizes its analog inputs so best signal fidelity is achieved using SPDIF in (no DA->AD conversion).

DAC/Amps with SPDIF out are few and far between, so I'd suggest sticking to the ADI-2 Pro.

 

[unpluggged]

RME Fireface audio interface

Which one specifically? Most of them have AES or S/PDIF digital outputs that can be assigned as Main Out so you can use them to connect your Neumanns digitally.

 

[NecroRAM]

Neumann digitizes its analog inputs so best signal fidelity is achieved using SPDIF in (no DA->AD conversion).

DAC/Amps with SPDIF out are few and far between, so I'd suggest sticking to the ADI-2 Pro.

Hm does that count as a negative for Neumans, like why do they do that? Kinda defeats the purpose of the DAC. Should I consider Genelecs 8330A-s instead?

Which one specifically? Most of them have AES or S/PDIF digital outputs that can be assigned as Main Out so you can use them to connect your Neumanns digitally.

Oh lawd, Fireface UCX II

 

[Blockader]

Hm does that count as a negative for Neumans, like why do they do that? Kinda defeats the purpose of the DAC. Should I consider Genelecs 8330A-s instead?



Oh lawd, Fireface UCX II

Neumann uses digital crossovers which are far more precise than analog equivalents and this is also the case with 8330A monitors. Neumann relies on DSP based filtering because achieving ±1 dB on‑axis response linearity and channel matching within ±0.5 dB is extremely difficult with analog filters alone yet straightforward in the digital domain. Any analog input is first converted to digital so these precise crossovers and corrections can be applied.

I’m not certain what crossover order the KH 120 II uses, but if it’s an 8th order Linkwitz‑Riley filter, it’s not that it’s technically impossible to build in analog, but it’s simply only practical in the digital domain. Implementing such a steep, high‑order filter with discrete components is extremely challenging and Neumann’s precise, high‑order digital filtering is what enables their speakers to perform so well.

So, tl;dr version is... Neumann converts any incoming analog signal to digital to apply digital filters that bring benefits such as:
-Precise channel matching (±0.5 dB)
-On‑axis linearity (±1 dB)
-Better pattern control around XO.

Each of the benefits above is easily 100 times more audible than upgrading from one well designed DAC to another. Solid DACs now start at just $100 - $200.

 

[staticV3]

Hm does that count as a negative for Neumans

Positive

why do they do that?

DSP crossover and phase linearization.

Not possible with an all-analog design.

 

[unpluggged]

Oh lawd, Fireface UCX II

Then just use the S/PDIF output to the speakers (assign it to Main Out in TotalMix FX).

 

[NecroRAM]

Thanks for the explanations guys.

Then just use the S/PDIF output to the speakers (assign it to Main Out in TotalMix FX).

Doesnt SPDIF have bit depth/sampling rate limitations or those doesnt matter?

 

[unpluggged]

Thanks for the explanations guys.



Doesnt SPDIF have bit depth/sampling rate limitations or those doesnt matter?

The speakers work at fixed sample rate of 48 kHz (with SRC always active). S/PDIF can transfer up to 192 kHz. So where is the "limitation"?

 

[NecroRAM]

The speakers work at fixed sample rate of 48 kHz (with SRC always active). S/PDIF can transfer up to 192 kHz. So where is the "limitation"?

Im just not sure how it would work on a physical level if I need to connect to 2 speakers but theres only one of each type of port (toslink and spdif d-sub) on the UCX II, which ports are the "main outs" on it?
Sorry if this sounds stupid.

 

[staticV3]

Im just not sure how it would work on a physical level if I need to connect to 2 speakers but theres only one of each type of port (toslink and spdif d-sub) on the UCX II, which ports are the "main outs" on it?
Sorry if this sounds stupid.

The Neumann has SPDIF in as well as SPDIF out, so you do UCX->Left KH120->Right KH120 or vice versa

 

[Theriverlethe]

Neumann digitizes its analog inputs so best signal fidelity is achieved using SPDIF in (no DA->AD conversion).

DAC/Amps with SPDIF out are few and far between, so I'd suggest sticking to the ADI-2 Pro.

Is there any reason to think the AD conversion is not completely transparent?