Help me plan out my garage stereo

[kyuu]

I agree, I don't think two speakers will have any issues filling a garage with sound; maybe should consider speakers with wide and even horizontal dispersion to ensure he's rarely somewhere the off-axis sound has serious holes in the frequency response? It's not a more difficult situation (in terms of SPL at least) than your average living or theatre room. If the OP wants to be able to hear the music over any of those saws or other tools, probably best to also get speakers with decent sensitivity.

 

[95maxrider]

Alright, I think I made some progress in figuring two things out.

First, since I'll probably be using a laptop instead of a desktop for my music source, I'll need a good external DAC instead of a fancy sound card. Seems like ASR to the rescue again with this apparently wonderful $80 DAC:

SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL SU-1 stereo USB DAC. It was arranged to be sent to me by shenzhenaudio from the company and costs US $79.99. Despite its simplicity, the SU-1 manages to look elegant with nice fonts and LED indicators for different inputs. Back panel has...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I also didn't like the idea of having to adjust the volume via the slider on the computer, I want something that's a little easier to use when I'm wearing dirty gloves and such. Seems like this big volume knob should do the trick:

Amazon.com

Lastly, I have a question. Can anyone recommend a good Windows based EQ software? I'm familiar with RoomEQ from doing stuff in my cars, and I would like to be able to set curves and tweak levels in the garage.

 

[Count Arthur]

Alright, I think I made some progress in figuring two things out.

First, since I'll probably be using a laptop instead of a desktop for my music source, I'll need a good external DAC instead of a fancy sound card. Seems like ASR to the rescue again with this apparently wonderful $80 DAC:

SMSL SU-1 Stereo DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL SU-1 stereo USB DAC. It was arranged to be sent to me by shenzhenaudio from the company and costs US $79.99. Despite its simplicity, the SU-1 manages to look elegant with nice fonts and LED indicators for different inputs. Back panel has...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I also didn't like the idea of having to adjust the volume via the slider on the computer, I want something that's a little easier to use when I'm wearing dirty gloves and such. Seems like this big volume knob should do the trick:

Amazon.com

Lastly, I have a question. Can anyone recommend a good Windows based EQ software? I'm familiar with RoomEQ from doing stuff in my cars, and I would to be able to set curves and tweak levels in the garage.

I would buy a DAC with a volume control, rather than a DAC without and a separate controller for Windows volume.

Perhaps one of these, which is only around $20.00 more than the SMSL DAC:

DX1 - TOPPING AUDIO

www.toppingaudio.com

Also, if you're using Windows as a source, playing back in mono will be super easy:

 

[95maxrider]

I would buy a DAC with a volume control, rather than a DAC without and a separate controller for Windows volume.

Perhaps one of these, which is only around $20.00 more than the SMSL DAC:

DX1 - TOPPING AUDIO

www.toppingaudio.com

Also, if you're using Windows as a source, playing back in mono will be super easy:

View attachment 428305

Neat! That simplifies things, thanks!

 

[95maxrider]

Ok, I thought of another question: When using a DAC with Windows, does that bypass the Windows volume control, thus making a DAC with volume control a necessity?

As for the best audiophile Windows music players, I see a lot of people mention Foobar, Jriver, and Musicbee. I see talk of making sure it's "bit perfect", which is a new concept for me, so I'm a little lost. I've been using Media Monkey for a long time now and I like it, and would prefer to keep using it if possible. It doesn't seem to get mentioned in many of these audiophile discussions about music players, but from what I can see, they do offer WASAPI functionality:

MediaMonkey Support » Using the WASAPI output plug-in in MediaMonkey

Assuming I can get it set up for WASAPI when I get a DAC, would that make in functionally/technically equivalent to the other music players mentioned?

 

[JeremyFife]

Just for the sake of suggesting an alternative: how about ditching 'traditional' hifi and going with a Sonos system?
Sonos 5 speakers are pretty decent (I think they all are), you can configure a pair for stereo if you ever sit still and you can run them all as a group for normal use.
It's a thought

 

[Count Arthur]

Ok, I thought of another question: When using a DAC with Windows, does that bypass the Windows volume control, thus making a DAC with volume control a necessity?

As for the best audiophile Windows music players, I see a lot of people mention Foobar, Jriver, and Musicbee. I see talk of making sure it's "bit perfect", which is a new concept for me, so I'm a little lost. I've been using Media Monkey for a long time now and I like it, and would prefer to keep using it if possible. It doesn't seem to get mentioned in many of these audiophile discussions about music players, but from what I can see, they do offer WASAPI functionality:

MediaMonkey Support » Using the WASAPI output plug-in in MediaMonkey

Assuming I can get it set up for WASAPI when I get a DAC, would that make in functionally/technically equivalent to the other music players mentioned?

Using MediaMonkey with either WASAPI or ASIO, should allow for bit perfect play back. This bypasses Windows audio, which may also mean that Windows can no longer adjust the volume, or enable mono - it does when I use ASIO or WASAPI with JRiver, but I'm not sure if that's always the case.

Obviously, not being able to control the volume with Windows isn't an issue if the DAC has a volume control, but not being able to enable mono, might be for your needs. Some DACs do have a mono function, mine does, but those that do are likely more expensive than the DX1.

Mono playback option - MediaMonkey forum

www.mediamonkey.com

Mono output required - MediaMonkey forum

www.mediamonkey.com

Having said all that, unless you really listen for it, you're unlikely to hear the difference between bit perfect playback and playback via Windows.

 

[95maxrider]

Just leaving this for myself later....am now considering the SMSL D-6 DAC, since it has volume control

SMSL D-6 DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL D-6 balanced stereo DAC with Bluetooth. It was sent to be by Shenzhenaudio and costs US $169.99. I like the compact enclosure even though there is a built-in power supply and balanced outputs. Included volume control lets you bypass a...

www.audiosciencereview.com