How to best connect Genelec to vinyl/DAC?

[Dubbidub]

Hi ASR!
I recently inherited a pair of Genelec 8030b monitors in great condition, and would like to find a way to connect them to both smartphones and my turntable (Rega Planar 2).
I've been researching a lot but I'm worried about choosing the wrong components, and not 100% sure that this is all I need.
Thanks to the great community on this site I've narrowed it down so far to these options.
So far, I think this is about what I need?

• Phono preamp. Either the Fosi x5 or ART precision.
• Wireless DAC for phones or pc - Seems the BEA1 may be a good option for the price?
• A monitor controller or other audio interface - This M-control?
• Cables of course

Looking for any tips or better suggestions, since it would be a shame to waste the potential of the speakers. My budget is probably around 300 euro at the most in my current economic situation, but I'm trying to shop used, so I think that could get me quite far, if I can find the products.

Thanks

 

[goofytwoshoes]

A question. What is your Planar 2 connected to at the moment?

 

[Dubbidub]

A question. What is your Planar 2 connected to at the moment?

Due to an unfortunate series of events, nothing. It's the only thing I have left from my old setup.

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi,
There are a few options, and mostly good ones.
Lovely speakers btw, one day you might want a subwoofer to fill in the bass but that's for later.

That Fosi X5 is a good choice, don't spend more on the phono stage.

Don't spend much on cables - Amazon Basics or similar priced are more than good enough. I quite like "ugreen" from Amazon, but there's no real reason for that. I assume that the TT came with a phono cable - use that.

Why do you want a separate DAC and controller? If you don't have a specific requirement then I'd just go for a DAC with volume control.
Perhaps SMSL DO100 Pro (€180?), which also has balanced outputs for your Genelecs.

I don't know anything about that BEA1 DAC. It's cheap, and might be fine. I don't like buying blind though so see if you can find a proper (measurement based) review.

Alternatively, push your budget slightly for a WiiM Ultra.
Phono is included, it's ready for a subwoofer, you get very good streaming included and - most important - PEQ and room correction for all sources including the TT.

Either way you should end up with a great system.

Enjoy

 

[Crook]

Not sure where you are, but another entry level phono could be Michael Fidler's Spartan 5 (£160). Might be too expensive shipping wise, out of the UK though? I can though say his products are beautifully made and perform excellently. PCB is a work of art etc.

 

[Dubbidub]

Hi,
There are a few options, and mostly good ones.
Lovely speakers btw, one day you might want a subwoofer to fill in the bass but that's for later.

That Fosi X5 is a good choice, don't spend more on the phono stage.

Don't spend much on cables - Amazon Basics or similar priced are more than good enough. I quite like "ugreen" from Amazon, but there's no real reason for that. I assume that the TT came with a phono cable - use that.

Why do you want a separate DAC and controller? If you don't have a specific requirement then I'd just go for a DAC with volume control.
Perhaps SMSL DO100 Pro (€180?), which also has balanced outputs for your Genelecs.

I don't know anything about that BEA1 DAC. It's cheap, and might be fine. I don't like buying blind though so see if you can find a proper (measurement based) review.

Alternatively, push your budget slightly for a WiiM Ultra.
Phono is included, it's ready for a subwoofer, you get very good streaming included and - most important - PEQ and room correction for all sources including the TT.

Either way you should end up with a great system.

Enjoy

Thanks you very much! I was thinking I need a separate controller since the Fosi X5 doesn't have a volume control and it would be convenient to be able to switch between inputs easily, but maybe the Fosi can be routed through the DAC somehow?
But that Wiim ultra also seems really nice so perhaps I should push the budget and save up - it would certainly make the setup simpler.

 

[Dubbidub]

Not sure where you are, but another entry level phono could be Michael Fidler's Spartan 5 (£160). Might be too expensive shipping wise, out of the UK though? I can though say his products are beautifully made and perform excellently. PCB is a work of art etc.

Thanks for the suggestion! It certainly looks nice and even has volume control

 

[Multicore]

Would a WiiM Ultra be beyond your budget? It's a really tremendous solution to your particular collection of requirements. Great way to play from phones and PC and other digital devices. Can do basic room response compensation too.

 

[goofytwoshoes]

Take a look at the WiiM Pro Plus. It has everything you want/need, except phono pre. It does have RCA inputs, so get a stand-alone phono pre and plug it in, you are ready to go. It has RCA outputs, buy RCA to XLR analog cables to connect to your 8030B speakers. I got Monoprice cables, work perfectly. No need to spend big bucks. I have the 8030C speakers, and a preamp with both RCA and XLR outputs. Compared the RCA outputs to XLR, no difference that I could detect. There are reviews of both the Ultra and the Pro Plus here on ASR. IMHO, the Pro Plus is better suited to your needs, at a much lower price.

I think you'll love the 8030B speakers. Genelec's website has good info about positioning the speakers, and using the DIP switches. Best website for end-user support that I've ever seen for ANY product line, not just audio related.

 

[JeremyFife]

Thanks you very much! I was thinking I need a separate controller since the Fosi X5 doesn't have a volume control and it would be convenient to be able to switch between inputs easily, but maybe the Fosi can be routed through the DAC somehow?
But that Wiim ultra also seems really nice so perhaps I should push the budget and save up - it would certainly make the setup simpler.

Doh! I don't know what I was thinking ... correct, you cannot route a phono stage into a DAC (not generally).
Yes, you need a pre-amp or a controller acting as a pre-amp!

Alternatively - and back on track!!
Fosi x5 phono stage
Fosi P4 pre-amp (has a pre-out for a future subwoofer)
- or - no real reason not to use the controller that you first thought of, the Swissonic, as the preamp.
I'd go for a WiiM Mini as your wireless/streaming DAC that you can connect your phone to. Not SOTA but really pretty good.

I'd still prefer a WiiM Ultra though

Sorry about that brainfreeze!

 

[Dubbidub]

A big thanks to all of you! My birthday is coming up and that WiiM Ultra would be within budget with a little contribution I hadn't even considered it before, but now im hyped for it. I'll be getting that!