Over the next couple of months (ie Christmas) I am looking to upgrade the speaker/ external soundcard set up I currently have. I currently use a Creative Sound Blaster Recon 3D external soundcard (plus the wireless headphone that come with it) plus some Creative T20 speakers. I have had some issues with the sound card playing up (ie not connecting) on regular occasions and so I am looking to upgrade both the card and the speakers. I do not intend binning the card as it works brilliantly with my PS4 in the living room an will be retired to that. I have no real audio experience however my TV set up is made up of Cambridge Audio Minx 21s and subwoofer and I have been really impressed. With this in mind I have been looking at the Cambridge Audio Dac magic 100 or Dac Magic plus as a starting point. However, I have since found out about the Cambridge Audio 1. http://www.richersounds.com/package/system-savers/mini-hi-fi-system-deals/pah011944 My understanding is that this has a built in DAC and USB connection to input from a PC. The price also includes the Minx XL speakers for free in the bundle (should be £200). While I have no real need for a hifi system in the room my PC is in it would probably be used in the long term. Would this make a suitable external sound setup for a PC or would I be better going for a standalone DAC and seperate speakers? I remember a Custom PC article specifically mentioning and praising the Dac Magic 100 a while ago so I am hoping someone can give me a steer in the right direction. Any ideas would be great! Cheers!
I decided recently to get a USB DAC. I got this one. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aune-T1-M...adphone-AMP-/321680461793?hash=item4ae5a64fe1 I agree with what's been said above, only get one if you are a purist and or wear headphones a lot. The only issue I had with mine was that in gaming some games would not recognise the DAC so I got no sound unless I switched back to my sound card. In the end I decided to keep my sound card (I have a Recon3D onboard) and just run it LINE. I did have to fit a splitter to be able to use my speakers though..
I went with the Topping VX1 USB DAC/AMP http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Topping-V...USB-DAC-Amp-/181422597377?hash=item2a3da12501 And a set of Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-speakers/wharfedale/diamond-9.0/whar-9.0-blk Lovely sounding very compact setup.
