TL,DR: How can this non-technical person best hook up a Neumann 2.1 system to get audio transparently from PC to Neumann KH 750 sub, KH120 II’s (with M 1 Calibration Mic); plus some sort of volume control added in… (with the fewest number of DAC/ADC ADC/DAC conversions?, IF that would help maintain the best audio signal).
Greetings! I’m a long-time lurker here at ASR; with little technical audio expertise or knowledge of the equipment, except for the little I’ve picked up here. As such, I’m probably not very well able to judge whether I’m going “overboard” with my spending on equipment (i.e., something that could be solved, just as well, at a cheaper price), so please feel free to pull me back in!...
So, I’d like to do the “ultimate” upgrade for my 2.1 PC audio. And, I’ve decided on the Neumann’s KH 120 II’s, KH 750 subwoofer, M-1 Calibration Mic, and KH 65 adjustable speaker stands. ((I realize the KH 80s would be sufficient for near-field, but I frequently turn up the music volume when I’m away from my desk.)) Unfortunately, this Neumann system leaves me a bit frustrated as how to best physically connect everything together for the most transparent transfer of a regular PC audio signal (YouTube, etc.), and more importantly, PC streaming audio (Amazon Music HD/UltraHD) AND somehow also include a physical (digital?) volume control (with no noticeable latency and, hopefully, with no decrease in dynamic range, increase in SINAD, etc.?).
From what I’ve read here (and I could easily be mistaken!), it seems like the best path from PC to the Neumann’s would be all digital (or at least with the fewest number of DAC/ADC ADC/DAC conversions). Anyway, as mentioned, I’d really like a physical desktop volume control, so I’m not sure if that is even possible along with a completely digital path to the KH 750 sub. Any suggestions? Or, am I way overthinking this all-digital path?
In the past day, I spoke with a sales engineer at a popular large audio company. His immediate thought, in keeping with the all-digital path, was the RME UCX II ($1,600), which has USB digital in and AES/EBU digital out (expensive, but doable). However, he is not quite certain, as yet, how to connect the digital AES/EBU output to the KH750 sub’s digital AES3 input (and is checking on that). But he also thought I was over-thinking the complete digital path and recommended going analog into the KH750 with something a little cheaper, like the RME Babyface Pro ($1,000). Both RMEs conveniently have USB inputs, so that helps me. (As best I can see, neither of these RME’s have 48V phantom power, so was thinking of maybe the Motu 2 [$200] for calibration?)
And while I’ve been researching this for way too long, I just learned yesterday of the NRC 1 Neumann Remote Control (~$325); “A simple hardware remote used to control the system volume, LFE gain, and bass management bypass.” (https://www.neumann.com/en-us/products/monitor-accessories/nrc-1). (Manual: https://www.neumann.com/en-us/serviceundsupport/file-finder?productName=NRC+1) While the manual (p. 7) indicates this is only to be used with subs “equipped with a 7.1 High Definition Bass Manager” (therefore, not the 750!), the sales engineer thought the NRC 1 may still be possible with the AES67 (Ethernet connected/controlled) versions of the KH 750 and KH 120 II’s using a network switch and Ethernet cables. He’s checking into this. Before any possible discounts, this adds ~$1,325 cost. So, a tiny bit cheaper than the $1,600 RME UCX II (but also possibly way more complex than the UCX II, for me). And, as the RME UCX II has a PC driver (?) to control the sound from the PC, I’m not sure how this would work with the NRC 1 or even how the how to connect to the PC to the Neuman 750 (perhaps a cheap USB to BNC adapter?). Also, p7 of the manual states that when the NRC 1 is turned off, “the sub is again controlled via the subwoofer electronics”, which sounds a little like the NRC 1 may be circumventing the calibration(?), which I definitely would not want, if that were the case.
Anyway, I feel like I’ve been “going down a rabbit hole” with all these (and other) potential variations. Any thoughts/suggestions that could help simplify this for me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Greetings! I’m a long-time lurker here at ASR; with little technical audio expertise or knowledge of the equipment, except for the little I’ve picked up here. As such, I’m probably not very well able to judge whether I’m going “overboard” with my spending on equipment (i.e., something that could be solved, just as well, at a cheaper price), so please feel free to pull me back in!...
So, I’d like to do the “ultimate” upgrade for my 2.1 PC audio. And, I’ve decided on the Neumann’s KH 120 II’s, KH 750 subwoofer, M-1 Calibration Mic, and KH 65 adjustable speaker stands. ((I realize the KH 80s would be sufficient for near-field, but I frequently turn up the music volume when I’m away from my desk.)) Unfortunately, this Neumann system leaves me a bit frustrated as how to best physically connect everything together for the most transparent transfer of a regular PC audio signal (YouTube, etc.), and more importantly, PC streaming audio (Amazon Music HD/UltraHD) AND somehow also include a physical (digital?) volume control (with no noticeable latency and, hopefully, with no decrease in dynamic range, increase in SINAD, etc.?).
From what I’ve read here (and I could easily be mistaken!), it seems like the best path from PC to the Neumann’s would be all digital (or at least with the fewest number of DAC/ADC ADC/DAC conversions). Anyway, as mentioned, I’d really like a physical desktop volume control, so I’m not sure if that is even possible along with a completely digital path to the KH 750 sub. Any suggestions? Or, am I way overthinking this all-digital path?
In the past day, I spoke with a sales engineer at a popular large audio company. His immediate thought, in keeping with the all-digital path, was the RME UCX II ($1,600), which has USB digital in and AES/EBU digital out (expensive, but doable). However, he is not quite certain, as yet, how to connect the digital AES/EBU output to the KH750 sub’s digital AES3 input (and is checking on that). But he also thought I was over-thinking the complete digital path and recommended going analog into the KH750 with something a little cheaper, like the RME Babyface Pro ($1,000). Both RMEs conveniently have USB inputs, so that helps me. (As best I can see, neither of these RME’s have 48V phantom power, so was thinking of maybe the Motu 2 [$200] for calibration?)
And while I’ve been researching this for way too long, I just learned yesterday of the NRC 1 Neumann Remote Control (~$325); “A simple hardware remote used to control the system volume, LFE gain, and bass management bypass.” (https://www.neumann.com/en-us/products/monitor-accessories/nrc-1). (Manual: https://www.neumann.com/en-us/serviceundsupport/file-finder?productName=NRC+1) While the manual (p. 7) indicates this is only to be used with subs “equipped with a 7.1 High Definition Bass Manager” (therefore, not the 750!), the sales engineer thought the NRC 1 may still be possible with the AES67 (Ethernet connected/controlled) versions of the KH 750 and KH 120 II’s using a network switch and Ethernet cables. He’s checking into this. Before any possible discounts, this adds ~$1,325 cost. So, a tiny bit cheaper than the $1,600 RME UCX II (but also possibly way more complex than the UCX II, for me). And, as the RME UCX II has a PC driver (?) to control the sound from the PC, I’m not sure how this would work with the NRC 1 or even how the how to connect to the PC to the Neuman 750 (perhaps a cheap USB to BNC adapter?). Also, p7 of the manual states that when the NRC 1 is turned off, “the sub is again controlled via the subwoofer electronics”, which sounds a little like the NRC 1 may be circumventing the calibration(?), which I definitely would not want, if that were the case.
Anyway, I feel like I’ve been “going down a rabbit hole” with all these (and other) potential variations. Any thoughts/suggestions that could help simplify this for me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I really need you guys to simplify it for me! Fortunately, I wasn't concerned about the AD/DA conversions in the Neumann's, but am concerned about connections between everything, the volume control, and the AD/DA conversions (if any) in between the PC and monitors.
