R/Audiophile I need some help choosing speakers.

hirschmj · 3 months

Buy used, you'll get better value/performance than you will buying new.

There's many ways to go to get the sound out of your computer and through your speakers. Here's a few options:

Buy a used receiver off Craigslist - anything Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer, but without HDMI inputs should be available for under $50. Then you'll need an RCA to 1/8" cable adaptor to get the sound off your sound card and into the receiver and through your speakers.

A better sounding way to go would be to use a DAC instead of the rca to 1/8" adaptor, it'll bypass the DAC in your computer, which likely isn't very good.

A better way still would be to get a nicer integrated amplifier from Rotel or NAD in place of the receiver.

An even better way would be to get a separate pre-amp and power amp from any number of good companies. This is where things get $$$-ey.

Most of the sound is dictated by the speakers though, so having a super nice amp doesn't do much without something decent. Start combing craigslist for bookshelf speakers in your price range if that's what your form factor dictates, or towers if you can fit them, you can get real nice stuff for 1/2 to 3/4 off retail if you look a little and research the ones that look nice.

nekoniku · 3 months

If you like the way Polk speakers sound, I would encourage you to check out newegg.com's selection of previous-generation Polk speakers here, which will save you a lot of money.

If you haven't had the chance to listen to Polks yet, I would encourage you to go to a few stores with two or three of your favorite CDs and listen to them. I like Polk myself, but you might hate them.

As Magixren suggested, you will definitely need more amplification than your PC can provide, either in the form of an integrated amp or a receiver.

Another thing worth mentioning is that you can save a ton of money by buying used equipment locally, rather than buying new.

reijin64 · 3 months

To answer your PC Setup question:

I'm using a Fostex HP-A7 DAC/Preamp/Headamp combo, and switch from the headphone output to the speaker output. The unit controls volume, which pumps it to a power amp driving my speakers.

To get the PC to that, I use either USB if my laptop is near, or coaxial from the desktop. (The USB is mainly for my portable gear that I have on the desk with it)

Ideally, if you're going to use a PC and then maybe a turntable, you want a DAC/Preamp/Headamp that can do multiple inputs. The problem with that is outside of dedicated big home theater receivers, there's not a lot. My unit is one, there are some high end DAC's that do multiple inputs as well, but not all that many.

It's expensive, but you DO want a preamp/DAC external to your PC. Especially if you're going to use turntables, and other digital equipment (IMO, anyway). It's something you won't upgrade soon.

I would recommend the NuForce Icon HDP, which is a decent unit you can use. It's also nice and small, will fit on your desktop no problems and has a nice swathe of inputs. Also has a headphone amplifier for when you don't want to raise the roof :P

After that, grab a power amplifier + passives, or a set of powered speakers. Depending on what you want to do, a sub as well.

TL;DR: You need a DAC to convert digital from your computer, and any other sources you may have. You need a preamp to control volume. You can find DAC's that have preamp functions built in. You need an amplifier to your speakers. And obviously speakers.

FacingReality · 3 months

thanks for all the info! definitely learned what I was trying to!

Magixren · 3 months

Look up reviews on the speaker's your interested in (from Audiophiles, not casuals) and things you would need are a DAC and Amp. To add a turntable you would need additional hardware.

(Still an amateur here too :/)

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