To DAC, or not to DAC - PC Sound Setup

[Vicious]

Hello! Well Hi,

So I've removed my Logitech's and kitted the setup with Edifier's, r1280dbs. Added to this is a Polk Audio 10" sub at 50% bass, more than this and my monitors start moving around on the desk.

I've got this connected through my motherboard's digital interface, in Windows it's set to 24bit/48000Hz.

Now while this is already a MAJOR bump in sound reproduction, compared to gaming headsets and logitech speakers, I still wonder if I can get more out of these speakers, would a DAC provide me with better sound quality? Surely a motherboard and speaker kit can provide that much.

If a DAC does seem to be a good idea, which one? There's quite a few on the market.

 

[WiZard]

I've got this connected through my motherboard's digital interface, in Windows it's set to 24bit/48000Hz.

You are already using a DAC, it is just inside the Edifiers, so not much to gain from using another DAC, unless you also upgrade the speakers.

 

[Vicious]

Agreed, thought of the internal DAC, but surely it's not as good as let's say, 150$ external DAC

Or am I chasing fools gold here with entry levels monitors?

 

[PandaAttack1]

How are you connecting the speakers to the PC? Optical?

Those speakers won't benefit from a standalone DAC either. So your are in luck, depending on how you see it.

 

[PandaAttack1]

/snip

Or am I chasing fools gold here with entry levels monitors?

1000%

 

[Vicious]

How are you connecting the speakers to the PC? Optical?

Those speakers won't benefit from a standalone DAC either. So your are in luck, depending on how you see it.

The Dbs has an optical yes, so it's connected to the motherboard's optical

 

[Chaz1982]

Chief, get a DAC you already know the answer, mans just looking to confirm his confirmation bias at this point with the opinions of others. If you do get a DAC and are a bit unsure start with a Dragonly Black and then if you want to move up, buy another one and sell it, no harm in doing so. Apologies if I seem harsh here

 

[goldfritter]

If you're using digital out from the motherboard you're at 90% or more of what those speakers can do.

Active speakers aren't really what you want for the journey you're suggesting. If you want to explore, passive speakers with a hi-fi amp and DAC is the way to go.

However, generally speaking, a desk setup is limited in scope - your speaker and listening position placement, which are an enormous part of the quality of the sound you get, are usually severely compromised at a desk.

Save this energy (and money!) for a living-room hifi setup.

 

[Vicious]

If you're using digital out from the motherboard you're at 90% or more of what those speakers can do.

Active speakers aren't really what you want for the journey you're suggesting. If you want to explore, passive speakers with a hi-fi amp and DAC is the way to go.

However, generally speaking, a desk setup is limited in scope - your speaker and listening position placement, which are an enormous part of the quality of the sound you get, are usually severely compromised at a desk.

Save this energy (and money!) for a living-room hifi setup.

You're 100% spot on with the positioning
I positioned them to point toward my ears, and that just increased the experience

Like I said earlier, "Or am I chasing fools' gold here with entry levels monitors?" I just needed assurance on this, some of you have dealt with these setups before. Hence me asking

 

[PandaAttack1]

You're 100% spot on with the positioning
I positioned them to point toward my ears, and that just increased the experience

Like I said earlier, "Or am I chasing fools' gold here with entry levels monitors?" I just needed assurance on this, some of you have dealt with these setups before. Hence me asking

A standalone DAC won't make any notable difference to your current setup.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Chief, get a DAC you already know the answer, mans just looking to confirm his confirmation bias at this point with the opinions of others. If you do get a DAC and are a bit unsure start with a Dragonly Black and then if you want to move up, buy another one and sell it, no harm in doing so. Apologies if I seem harsh here

No, no and no.

 

[Chaz1982]

No, no and no.

if they're active speakers, its chai forgot to add that. A DAC wont make no difference unless they're passive, unlike in your case they seem to be active

 

[Vicious]

A standalone DAC won't make any notable difference to your current setup.

Well, that's enough for me.

I just needed that assurance.

The setup is amazing already, thought it had 20-30% room for improvement. But your comments align with what I found on Google.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Well, that's enough for me.

I just needed that assurance.

The setup is amazing already, thought it had 20-30% room for improvement. But your comments align with what I found on Google.

Like @goldfritter mentioned, if you've done your due diligence with setup and listening position you've probably squeezed as much out of an entry level setup as you could.

Before you fling yourself down the rabbit hole too deep, I will share a piece of advice I wish I took to heart sooner in my audio journey: Spend your time exploring the music, because if not for the music, what is the point?

 

[Vicious]

Hmm so which speakers do you gents think would pair up nicely with the Polk Audo 10" sub?

 

[goldfritter]

Hmm so which speakers do you gents think would pair up nicely with the Polk Audo 10" sub?

I'm so sorry to you and your wallet for what I've done.

 

[Vicious]

I'm so sorry to you and your wallet for what I've done.

I'm a sucker for good sound, hence me removing the logitech 5.1. I'm down a road that I don't see myself turning around on.

 

[goldfritter]

I'm a sucker for good sound

For "deeper" advice on where to go from here (if you're seriously thinking of getting an amp, DAC, and passive speakers) I'd make an account on avforums.co.za and ask the guys there. Make sure to be detailed about your space, what you currently have, what sort of music you like, what your goals are for sound. People there are very helpful and knowledgeable (if sometimes a bit condescending to newbies - just like Carb I guess).

And there you'll likely find good deals on equipment too.

For speakers, don't buy anything until you've auditioned Bentley Acoustics - they're locally-built using imported drivers and punch way above their weight in terms of audio quality. Try see if someone near you has a set to listen to (the FR100 bookshelves are where I'd start looking).

 

[Vicious]

For "deeper" advice on where to go from here (if you're seriously thinking of getting an amp, DAC, and passive speakers) I'd make an account on avforums.co.za and ask the guys there. Make sure to be detailed about your space, what you currently have, what sort of music you like, what your goals are for sound. People there are very helpful and knowledgeable (if sometimes a bit condescending to newbies - just like Carb I guess).

And there you'll likely find good deals on equipment too.

For speakers, don't buy anything until you've auditioned Bentley Acoustics - they're locally-built using imported drivers and punch way above their weight in terms of audio quality. Try see if someone near you has a set to listen to (the FR100 bookshelves are where I'd start looking).

Ja nee, daar kak my wallet

Love the naked look of the FR100

What would you pair those speakers up with? Would a DAC work fine, taking note of my sub that would be added as well.

 

[Vicious]

Hell, no let me calm down. Thanks for the advice, everyone!

 

[goldfritter]

Ja nee, daar kak my wallet

Love the naked look of the FR100

What would you pair those speakers up with? Would a DAC work fine, taking note of my sub that would be added as well.

You'd need a DAC and an amplifier. Some amps have built in DACs but most don't. An AV receiver (the type you use with a surround-sound home theatre system) would also work.

Hell, no let me calm down. Thanks for the advice, everyone!

This is a good idea

 

[JollyJamma]

My 2c is that onboard audio usually isn’t good and a dedicated USB DAC is worth the money.

You don’t need to spend a fortune but it will help.

That being said, a poor set of speakers can only go so far and if you’re not listening to excellent lossless audio files, it might not be worth it.

The audio world is a very deep rabbit hole with a lot of good and bad products.

 

[goldfritter]

My 2c is that onboard audio usually isn’t good and a dedicated USB DAC is worth the money.

You don’t need to spend a fortune but it will help.

That being said, a poor set of speakers can only go so far and if you’re not listening to excellent lossless audio files, it might not be worth it.

The audio world is a very deep rabbit hole with a lot of good and bad products.

He's not using onboard audio, he's using optical digital out, the DAC is built into the active speakers.

 

[iamgigglz]

My experience: My Klipsch R-41PM speakers (same as your Edifiers really) sound way better using their internal DAC than they've ever sounded using any analogue input, and that includes a few different stand-alone DACs. I'm pretty sure they tune the internal DACs on speakers like this sound they sound as good as possible.

Welcome to the rabbit-hole my friend. You'll always be looking for improvements which often aren't there to be had, but your lighter wallet will say it sounds better.

 

[JollyJamma]

He's not using onboard audio, he's using optical digital out, the DAC is built into the active speakers.

Right then I have no idea as SPDIF isn’t a tech that I’m knowledgeable of.

 

[Vicious]

Can I close this thread?
I said no, no rabbit holes anymore, your replies are seriously not helping my wallet haha

 

[PandaAttack1]

👀

 

[Vicious]

👀

Teasing, I'm to poor to go on a spending spree now

 

[bythecantloads]

I use an M-Audio Air with Mackie CR3-X and the "Audio Interface" just makes managing my mic and speakers convenient, but other than that, it is just a headache. Using the correct cable in the correct USB port. Just Nah.

However, I also have a pair of Edifier 1280DBs and I am not impressed. But maybe a sub will change that?

 

[Vicious]

I use an M-Audio Air with Mackie CR3-X and the "Audio Interface" just makes managing my mic and speakers convenient, but other than that, it is just a headache. Using the correct cable in the correct USB port. Just Nah.

However, I also have a pair of Edifier 1280DBs and I am not impressed. But maybe a sub will change that?

The sub made the sound much richer and fuller, I wasn't happy with them as is.

They needed those lows. My treble is set to nearly max. Amazed by what difference the 10" made.

So highly recommended
I can't state what or how they compare to speakers with an external amp and DAC, but coming from "high end" Logitech's, it's an amazing jump in audio quality. I'd never go back!