srramanujam
Active Member
After a year of search, i am now nearing the end of my speaker search. After listening to 17 speakers, i am now toying between Usher BE 718 and Dali Ikon 6, a decision thats probably going to get influenced by the price.
Its now time for me to get some help on the source.
I am convinced that i shouldnt invest in a CDP and should instead look at a PC or a DAC. I owe this choice to this forum and largely to thevortex.
I am looking at three choices.
1. Using the existing DVD player (Samsung) with a DAC
2. A PC with a good soundcard (Julie and Xonar essence suggested by thevortex)
3. A PC with a DAC.
The hifi is going to be in the living room and therefore any standing monitor is ruled out, so is connecting to the TV.
The PC choice seems ready to implement since the sound card recommendations are quite clear. I am still tempted by the DAC options since they appear to provide more flexibility for what could come up in the future (for example a personal medial player with outstanding optical output).
Can i request comments on the above three options. For the DAC options can i also get some recos on choices at different price ranges (under 200 USD, under 500 USD and under 1000 USD).
Sometime later, once either of these speakers are ordered, i will start the search on suitable amps. Right now looking at an SS amp. Later on, i am going to introduce Lyrita tube amps into this chain and see if i can get it to work with the speakers.
Over an hour's conversation today, thevortex suggested A PC with soundcard as the startpoint. For a future DAC addition, his recos were Peter Daniel NOS and Buffallo. Thanks thevortex.
Its now time for me to get some help on the source.
I am convinced that i shouldnt invest in a CDP and should instead look at a PC or a DAC. I owe this choice to this forum and largely to thevortex.
I am looking at three choices.
1. Using the existing DVD player (Samsung) with a DAC
2. A PC with a good soundcard (Julie and Xonar essence suggested by thevortex)
3. A PC with a DAC.
The hifi is going to be in the living room and therefore any standing monitor is ruled out, so is connecting to the TV.
The PC choice seems ready to implement since the sound card recommendations are quite clear. I am still tempted by the DAC options since they appear to provide more flexibility for what could come up in the future (for example a personal medial player with outstanding optical output).
Can i request comments on the above three options. For the DAC options can i also get some recos on choices at different price ranges (under 200 USD, under 500 USD and under 1000 USD).
Sometime later, once either of these speakers are ordered, i will start the search on suitable amps. Right now looking at an SS amp. Later on, i am going to introduce Lyrita tube amps into this chain and see if i can get it to work with the speakers.
Over an hour's conversation today, thevortex suggested A PC with soundcard as the startpoint. For a future DAC addition, his recos were Peter Daniel NOS and Buffallo. Thanks thevortex.