Hello and thank you for this great forum. I've been browsing for a few weeks and there is a ton of great information on here, even if most of it seems Greek to me ;o)
So here is what I have:
PC with Gigabyte GA-Z170X Gaming motherboard which has a S/PDIF output, as well as USB-C and USB 3.0
Adam T5V Active Monitors along with the Adam T10S sub. Got a great deal on them locally here in Nashville.
My situation:
I would like to hook up the speakers to the PC in the best way possible. I have my music collection on the PC in FLAC format and want to be able to play those as well as
streaming audio from the PC, which is running Windows 10. The speakers will be nearfield, placed on the far right/left corners of my desk, either on stands or foam pads.
I do have some decent headphones (Ultimate Ears Triple-Fi 10 and audio-technica ATH-A700), and I may want to occasionally pull them out but for now the emphasis is on the speakers.
Streaming bluetooth is a nice to have option.
Thusfar I have scoured the board for reviews of DAC's that have Toslink Optical input as that seems to be the "cleanest" way to get a signal from my pc.
From a budget perspective, I would like to stay under $300 or so.
DAC's I have looked at:
Loxjie D40 Pro - a lot to like about this but slightly above budget. Also I sent an email a week ago asking a warranty question and they could not be bothered to answer, so that does not bode well for support later, should it be needed. Also have not updated their Facebook page since 2021. SINAD 123.2.
Sabaj A10d - one of the ones I am leaning towards and also has an amp for future headphone use if desired. SINAD 120
Sabaj A20d - has the PRO version of the 9038 chip. Above the budget but can find used or "cosmetically damaged for less. SINAD 122. Also has an amp built in
SMSL d-6S - universally good reviews and a decent price. SINAD 121.9. Would need an amp in the future for headphone use.
SMSL DO-100 - same commends as the d-6S. SINAD 120. Would need an amp in the future for headphone use
Topping D50III - the newest one I saw reviewed. Great SINAD at 122.7. Would need an amp in the future for headphone use
Now for my questions and would greatly appreciate and advice:
1 What DAC would you choose, either from the list or something completely different?
2 Am I correct in wanting to use a S/PDIF out from the PC to the DAC as some have pointed out here or is USB better? I know USB has wider bandwidth but would I ever use it (ripped CD's)?
3 Someone mentioned using XLR for the T5A's and RCA for the T10S sub. Why is that and is that best? The Adam site has: DAC to the T10S then from the T10S to the T5V's.
4 Should I go for a DAC with an amp built in, will that have any affect on the Active speakers or is the power just sent to the headphone output?
5 The Topping is powered by USB-C while the rest have 100-240v separate power. I would assume the separate power is the better option?
6 The Adam site states that the T5V's have built-in DSP controlled driver crossovers and equalization. I am not sure what this means and how it fits in with a DAC?
I did look at the seemingly more "reliable" vender, JDS labs and would have jumped on their El DAC II but the SINAD was 112, much lower than the others. I did like their customer service reputation and two year warranty. I seems with the others above service issues are a total crap shoot.
Thank you for taking time to read my post and apologies for the "newbie" questions.
So here is what I have:
PC with Gigabyte GA-Z170X Gaming motherboard which has a S/PDIF output, as well as USB-C and USB 3.0
Adam T5V Active Monitors along with the Adam T10S sub. Got a great deal on them locally here in Nashville.
My situation:
I would like to hook up the speakers to the PC in the best way possible. I have my music collection on the PC in FLAC format and want to be able to play those as well as
streaming audio from the PC, which is running Windows 10. The speakers will be nearfield, placed on the far right/left corners of my desk, either on stands or foam pads.
I do have some decent headphones (Ultimate Ears Triple-Fi 10 and audio-technica ATH-A700), and I may want to occasionally pull them out but for now the emphasis is on the speakers.
Streaming bluetooth is a nice to have option.
Thusfar I have scoured the board for reviews of DAC's that have Toslink Optical input as that seems to be the "cleanest" way to get a signal from my pc.
From a budget perspective, I would like to stay under $300 or so.
DAC's I have looked at:
Loxjie D40 Pro - a lot to like about this but slightly above budget. Also I sent an email a week ago asking a warranty question and they could not be bothered to answer, so that does not bode well for support later, should it be needed. Also have not updated their Facebook page since 2021. SINAD 123.2.
Sabaj A10d - one of the ones I am leaning towards and also has an amp for future headphone use if desired. SINAD 120
Sabaj A20d - has the PRO version of the 9038 chip. Above the budget but can find used or "cosmetically damaged for less. SINAD 122. Also has an amp built in
SMSL d-6S - universally good reviews and a decent price. SINAD 121.9. Would need an amp in the future for headphone use.
SMSL DO-100 - same commends as the d-6S. SINAD 120. Would need an amp in the future for headphone use
Topping D50III - the newest one I saw reviewed. Great SINAD at 122.7. Would need an amp in the future for headphone use
Now for my questions and would greatly appreciate and advice:
1 What DAC would you choose, either from the list or something completely different?
2 Am I correct in wanting to use a S/PDIF out from the PC to the DAC as some have pointed out here or is USB better? I know USB has wider bandwidth but would I ever use it (ripped CD's)?
3 Someone mentioned using XLR for the T5A's and RCA for the T10S sub. Why is that and is that best? The Adam site has: DAC to the T10S then from the T10S to the T5V's.
4 Should I go for a DAC with an amp built in, will that have any affect on the Active speakers or is the power just sent to the headphone output?
5 The Topping is powered by USB-C while the rest have 100-240v separate power. I would assume the separate power is the better option?
6 The Adam site states that the T5V's have built-in DSP controlled driver crossovers and equalization. I am not sure what this means and how it fits in with a DAC?
I did look at the seemingly more "reliable" vender, JDS labs and would have jumped on their El DAC II but the SINAD was 112, much lower than the others. I did like their customer service reputation and two year warranty. I seems with the others above service issues are a total crap shoot.
Thank you for taking time to read my post and apologies for the "newbie" questions.