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Sep 3, 2016
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@JesseArt
I had been using a set of Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 with the on-board audio from my PC for years but the Klipsch amp finally gave up. I got a pair of Kanto self powered speakers (*1) (that actually sound very good) that I ran with a Boston Acoustics sub but then my on-board audio said good night. I'd been reading about DAC's so I went ahead and found an inexpensive Monoprice DAC/headphone amp. (*2)
I was doubtful but it made a huge difference in sound quality. The Kanto's sound very good but are a bit large for my desktop.. A while back I got an almost unused set of Aperion 4B's on eBay that have been sitting in a closet. They sound very sweet, mostly neutral with a little warmth to the tone (I have another pair I run as the surrounds on my HT set up). I'll audition the Aperion's and Boston 8" sub with the Monoprice DAC and SMSL A2 . I expect it to be a great sounding compact set up.
Personally I can't recommend off-boarding the sound from your computer strongly enough. It turns out that with all the heat, vibration, magnetic and electrical interference inside the computer case, it's not a very good environment for an audio signal to originate from. Consider spending a little more for an inexpensive DAC and a pair of RCA cables to feed the A2. It's completely painless to set up. You run a USB cable from your PC to the DAC. Then you run a set of very short RCA cables from DAC to A2. Then speaker wire to your bookshelf speakers. As soon as you turn on the DAC your computer will install it automatically (my old Dell took less than two minutes) . You'll hear and enjoy the difference.
(*1) You might consider going this route though, getting a set of Kanto YU5 self-amplified speakers next time they are offered on MD; https://www.massdrop.com/buy/kanto-yu5-speaker-system
(* 2) https://www.massdrop.com/buy/monoprice-desktop-amp-dac
Had to add this option, smaller/less expensive self powered Kanto's that include a built in DAC/headphone amp; https://www.massdrop.com/buy/kanto-yu2
Sep 3, 2016
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