PC Speakers

[Riverback]

Anyone know where I can read up on good Headphone/Speaker amps?

Just incase I dabble in the devil that dare not speak its name...

[zebathin]

Just wanted to plug the Audioengine A2's, finally got a pair for a new 1 bedroom flat I've just moved into. I was running a pair of floorstanding Jensen speakers from my PC before, bit loud for a 1 bedroom I reckon.

A2's sound great, very large sound from such small speakers. I'm still getting used to their response, its a little... odd? All up though, great pair, big recommended.

[G-rig]

The Audioengine A2 seem pretty good for the price. What amp would you use to power them? Is the Trends audio T-amp any good for around $240?

How much better would they be than some M4's or Behringer MS40's, or are they on par? I've read that the M4's could be a bit lacking in bass at times? I like the MS40's as they are active and wouldn't need an amp.

Just wondering if either upgrades are worth it over my current 2.1 Yamaha speakers (that cost around $160-200 years ago)? Ideally i'd like a headphone amp that could power some small speakers as well, so that when i'm not listening to headphones the speakers are ready to go (ie permanently connected via optical or rca etc).

Cheers,

Edit: seems like the A2's are active speakers?

[warisz00r]

Yes the A2s are active

[G-rig]

Cheers, so which are better?
The Behringer ms40 have volume control and headphone jack on the front.

Would active speakers work for amping headphones or strictly work as a pass through?

[dingostolemyipod]

Would active speakers work for amping headphones or strictly work as a pass through?

Active speakers with a headphone port would have it amped, or use the same amp as the speakers through an extra resistor - pass through couldn't be used as or called a headphone out.

[G-rig]

Cool, was wondering if it would be enough extra power if i got the M-Audio 24/96 card which isn't amped at all then run some headphones through the headphone jack on the speakers. Also considering I'd like to get the MS-Pro's one day, can't see myself buying an expensive headphone amp considering they don't really need amping, but a little bit more from a dual purpose amp may be ok (like the cheaper CA pre amps or something to drive small speakers as well).

Anyone heard these, i saw a local DJ using them as monitors in a cafe type setup.
http://www.velvetsystems.com/Edirol.MA- ... nitors.cfm

[Marcus]

I love my Yamaha HS80Ms, really I do

[Riverback]

I love my Yamaha HS80Ms, really I do

Too bad my PC room won't have enough space for rear ported speakers =(

[G-rig]

I love my Yamaha HS80Ms, really I do

Hate to think how much those are.

I'd like something simple that i could control with a headphone amps volume knob which mutes when you plug in the headphones. would most headphone amps work in that setup (from the PC via either optical or RCA inputs)?

Cheers,

[dingostolemyipod]

Anyone heard these, i saw a local DJ using them as monitors in a cafe type setup.
http://www.velvetsystems.com/Edirol.MA- ... nitors.cfm

You could see them but not hear them?

DAC + amp + speakers for $300. I wouldn't expect miracles, but if they do a "decent" job, they might be a handy little item.

[Marcus]

The setup I use them on is Netbook -> DACMagic -> Speakers
I balanced my volume between the speakers and Foobar, so it works really well. I was going to use passive speakers with an amp (I have a spare), but this way actually suits me better as the netbook and DAC take up very little space where I have them setup.

If you shop around or know the right person to talk to, a pair of HS80M is less than $1k. I had a listen to quite a few powered monitors and hifi speakers etc, but settled on the Yammies because they have a nice blend of musicality and technicality, they fill the room (and more) with sound and I don't need a sub for them... (though I have a spare sub that I'm tempted to hook up).

Next on my shopping list: a REALLY good receiver for ~$2k or less that is a combination of the two that I already have (one sounds really good, the other has the features/functions that I want).

[G-rig]

Thanks Marcus, that sounds like the ideal setup. I've ruled out passive speakers as i don't have that much room on my desk for a receiver. How do you combine headphones in that setup to get the benefits of the DACMagic?

Edit: I'm fairly keen on the Yamaha RX-A3000, seems to tick all the boxes, and under 2k if you know where to go (RRP is $2500). Seems to have all the features and wouldn't be rubbish for music either.

[Marcus]

The HS80Ms use the balanced out from the DACMagic, leaving the RCA outs free for a headphone amp
I also have an external CD/DVDRW drive so I can play/rip/watch DVDs/CDs etc from the netbook if needed.

I don't know if I'd go with a Yamaha receiver. The Integra 7.1 that I have I've never really been happy with.
I haven't actually even bothered to look into the current receiver market.

[Riverback]

Thanks Marcus, that sounds like the ideal setup. I've ruled out passive speakers as i don't have that much room on my desk for a receiver. How do you combine headphones in that setup to get the benefits of the DACMagic?

Edit: I'm fairly keen on the Yamaha RX-A3000, seems to tick all the boxes, and under 2k if you know where to go (RRP is $2500). Seems to have all the features and wouldn't be rubbish for music either.

Probably a headphone amp on one of the other outputs