Suggestions for new setup, coming from Head-fi.

[jacobtc]

Having only lived in the Head-fi space for a while, I am now going to get my first set of speakers for my PC.
I currently own a V-DAC+Lovely Cube setup for my Sennheisers, but would like to have a set of Swan O10's mounted on the wall, to use when looking at Youtube etc.

I will keep the Lovely Cube amp for my headphones, as I love the sound, but will need a new DAC to be able to switch between the speakers and headphone amp.

I've looked at the Topping models, but I am not sure what the best connection would be. The Lovely Cube has RCA input, and the Swans have Coax, Optical and Line-in. The Topping D70 which I have looked as, has balanced XLR and RCA outputs, so this might not be the best solution?

My budget is around the D70 Sabre, but would obviously love to see cheaper suggestions.
I'm also taking suggestions for good budget speakers within the same size as the Swans. Take into consideration that I will probably make some wall mounts for them, and they are to be used in my office.

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi, the Swans look interesting - a lot of functionality for the money. No idea what they are like though.
Something to check first - the Swans clearly have a DAC onboard. They could be digitising the RCA input, in which case there is no point in having another DAC in the chain.

For DAC suggestions, try the Topping E30ii as a benchmark and see some alternatives in the Review Index here.

What's your budget for speakers? Kali LP-UNF are similar size (touch larger) and well thought of (measure well)

 

[jacobtc]

Hi, the Swans look interesting - a lot of functionality for the money. No idea what they are like though.
Something to check first - the Swans clearly have a DAC onboard. They could be digitising the RCA input, in which case there is no point in having another DAC in the chain.

For DAC suggestions, try the Topping E30ii as a benchmark and see some alternatives in the Review Index here.

What's your budget for speakers? Kali LP-UNF are similar size (touch larger) and well thought of (measure well)

Thanks for the suggestion. The E30ii only seem to have a single output though, correct?

 

[JustJones]

Does the headphone amp have volume control? Are you connecting usb from computer? If so maybe the Topping D10s . Line out to the HP amp, coax or optical to the Swan 010.

 

[jacobtc]

Does the headphone amp have volume control? Are you connecting usb from computer? If so maybe the Topping D10s . Line out to the HP amp, coax or optical to the Swan 010.

Yes it does, currently I am using USB from PC, but I also have Optical available.

 

[JeremyFife]

Oh yeah - apologies. The Topping E50 has two outputs, balanced and single ended, which are switchable.
I really suggested these as a benchmark for price - no need to spend more but you will need to do your own research for the features you want.

With your Swans (or with the Kali LP-UNF) you don't need a DAC though, so the DAC features are irrelevant. A simple, cheap, USB switch from your PC will do fine.
[Edit: Swans don't have USB in, I'm typing instead of thinking! USB to your DAC and Headphones, Optical to the Swans, switch in the PC]

 

[JustJones]

Yes it does, currently I am using USB from PC, but I also have Optical available.

If you have optical keep your headphone setup and connect the optical to the Swan 010.

 

[jacobtc]

Oh yeah - apologies. The Topping E50 has two outputs, balanced and single ended, which are switchable.
I really suggested these as a benchmark for price - no need to spend more but you will need to do your own research for the features you want.

With your Swans (or with the Kali LP-UNF) you don't need a DAC though, so the DAC features are irrelevant. A simple, cheap, USB switch from your PC will do fine.

In that case I could just keep the V-DAC, and use the optical from the PC to the speakers though.

 

[JeremyFife]

In that case I could just keep the V-DAC, and use the optical from the PC to the speakers though.

Yup - nothing wrong with the v-DAC

 

[jacobtc]

If you have optical keep your headphone setup and connect the optical to the Swan 010.

Yeah, might do that then