My current desktop setup for the past year or so (speakers about 1m from MLP with their backs unfortunately close to a wall, on Isoacoustics stands):
Stream music from my PC (primarily Amazon) -> miniDSP 2x4HD -> SMSL DA-8s -> Kef Q150. The 2x4HD also feeds two SVS SB-1000 subs.
The 2x4HD has allowed me to integrate the subs with the mains relatively easily with crossover, and correct a few troublesome lower-frequency peaks (e.g. 114Hz boominess) and broad dips from the mains. It also lets me fine tune delay between the mains and subs in the crossover region. I EQ the subs, L, and R separately, using REW + UMIK1 and the moving microphone method. Haven't tackled MSO multi-sub yet.
It's fine, I enjoy it. But as I'm listening to it for hours every day while I work, I find it lacking a bit and slightly fatiguing. It feels a little sterile and missing a little substance. When I listen to my Hifiman Ananda's through my Topping D50s -> Liquid Spark, its more relaxing for a longer day. However, wearing headphones really isn't feasible for my workday. I also know there are some misgivings about the DAC in the 2x4HD, as well as the underrated power in the DA-8s maybe not driving speakers as well as they could be driven.
Thus I'm considering stepping up my entire system just a bit. I'm thinking something like the Topping PA5 Amp and E50 DAC, and something like the Polk R100 speakers (something in the $600-800 range). I like the idea of the balanced DAC/AMP, but I understand that may not be worth it/noticeable in my setup.
The problem: If I go to a better DAC/AMP, I lose the 2x4HD's ability to crossover and individually EQ the subs and L,R. I can EQ using Equalizer APO in Windows, but that won't allow me to EQ subs and mains separately, or play with the crossover between the mains and subs. I would have essentially the same EQ'd signal going to mains and subs.
Options:
1) Just do it and use the low pass filter knob on the subs to at least have some crossover functionality. Do a general EQ in Equalizer APO that would get applied to both the mains and subs in the overlap region, hopefully I could implement a house curve with this as well. No ability to fine tune delay, but realistically that might not be noticeable.
- I still don't know how I'd get a line signal to the subs as the PA5/E50 don't have sub out. Perhaps use the L/R RCA outputs from the E50 (E50 can output on both the balanced and RCA outputs at the same time).
- I could instead get the SMSL DA9 or A0200 which have sub out, but for the price the PA5 seems like a better upgrade over my DA-8s. Or the Aiyama A300.
2) Keep the 2x4HD and just upgrade the amp and speakers. Kills the PA5 option though because it only has balanced inputs.
3) Technically the 2x4HD sends the four output channels as digital along the USB back to PC, and I would like to assume that these didn't go through the 2x4HD DAC. I could crossover and EQ on the 2x4HD, send the subs directly out from the 2x4HD, and use voicemeeter to grab the L+R from USB and send those back out a different USB to the new DAC. That seems like I'm introducing a lot more places for degradation and timing issues.
4) Forego the subs and get speakers that are sufficient enough in the low end that I won't miss the subs that much. My main consideration at my PC is music (not gaming or movies), so maybe that's possible? This would certainly simplify A LOT of the setup, though I'd have to be careful on how big the speakers are. The subs perform double duty in my home theater setup in the same room, so they won't be going to waste.
5) Get a multi-output soundcard, fiddle with Equalizer APO and routing channels and such, not sure I want to go this route.
6) ?
I would love to hear some thoughts on these or other options. Thanks!
Stream music from my PC (primarily Amazon) -> miniDSP 2x4HD -> SMSL DA-8s -> Kef Q150. The 2x4HD also feeds two SVS SB-1000 subs.
The 2x4HD has allowed me to integrate the subs with the mains relatively easily with crossover, and correct a few troublesome lower-frequency peaks (e.g. 114Hz boominess) and broad dips from the mains. It also lets me fine tune delay between the mains and subs in the crossover region. I EQ the subs, L, and R separately, using REW + UMIK1 and the moving microphone method. Haven't tackled MSO multi-sub yet.
It's fine, I enjoy it. But as I'm listening to it for hours every day while I work, I find it lacking a bit and slightly fatiguing. It feels a little sterile and missing a little substance. When I listen to my Hifiman Ananda's through my Topping D50s -> Liquid Spark, its more relaxing for a longer day. However, wearing headphones really isn't feasible for my workday. I also know there are some misgivings about the DAC in the 2x4HD, as well as the underrated power in the DA-8s maybe not driving speakers as well as they could be driven.
Thus I'm considering stepping up my entire system just a bit. I'm thinking something like the Topping PA5 Amp and E50 DAC, and something like the Polk R100 speakers (something in the $600-800 range). I like the idea of the balanced DAC/AMP, but I understand that may not be worth it/noticeable in my setup.
The problem: If I go to a better DAC/AMP, I lose the 2x4HD's ability to crossover and individually EQ the subs and L,R. I can EQ using Equalizer APO in Windows, but that won't allow me to EQ subs and mains separately, or play with the crossover between the mains and subs. I would have essentially the same EQ'd signal going to mains and subs.
Options:
1) Just do it and use the low pass filter knob on the subs to at least have some crossover functionality. Do a general EQ in Equalizer APO that would get applied to both the mains and subs in the overlap region, hopefully I could implement a house curve with this as well. No ability to fine tune delay, but realistically that might not be noticeable.
- I still don't know how I'd get a line signal to the subs as the PA5/E50 don't have sub out. Perhaps use the L/R RCA outputs from the E50 (E50 can output on both the balanced and RCA outputs at the same time).
- I could instead get the SMSL DA9 or A0200 which have sub out, but for the price the PA5 seems like a better upgrade over my DA-8s. Or the Aiyama A300.
2) Keep the 2x4HD and just upgrade the amp and speakers. Kills the PA5 option though because it only has balanced inputs.
3) Technically the 2x4HD sends the four output channels as digital along the USB back to PC, and I would like to assume that these didn't go through the 2x4HD DAC. I could crossover and EQ on the 2x4HD, send the subs directly out from the 2x4HD, and use voicemeeter to grab the L+R from USB and send those back out a different USB to the new DAC. That seems like I'm introducing a lot more places for degradation and timing issues.
4) Forego the subs and get speakers that are sufficient enough in the low end that I won't miss the subs that much. My main consideration at my PC is music (not gaming or movies), so maybe that's possible? This would certainly simplify A LOT of the setup, though I'd have to be careful on how big the speakers are. The subs perform double duty in my home theater setup in the same room, so they won't be going to waste.
5) Get a multi-output soundcard, fiddle with Equalizer APO and routing channels and such, not sure I want to go this route.
6) ?
I would love to hear some thoughts on these or other options. Thanks!
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