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Advent Loudspeaker based stereo system

Steve, I really appreciate your help. The PC is a recent model Alienware PC built for gaming but I use it for graphics and video work, the sound is a big value to me. Not being colored or enhanced but accurate is key, which I feel the Advents are perfectly capable of. So my thought was to use the Pioneer to power the speakers, which it does nicely. The best communication between my pc and speakers is what I'm after, without dropping $5k.
 
No problem Jason. You definitely shouldn't need to spend that kind of $$$ to get a step up in sound quality but I'm reluctant to say this one or that one is what you need. I will say that your life would be easier if whichever DAC you choose has RCA outputs, then you would at least have an easier time connecting up to your receiver. It's just up to you to determine your budget and then do a little research on what's out there.

Another consideration (and something that I found useful when selecting an external DAC) is if you plan on hooking up a CD player, you could utilize an optical input on the DAC as well and would have a way to have two sources to choose from. Kind of a two birds with one stone scenario...

Your options are many, with good units starting at or around 100 beans. If you go to the DAC section here on AK, you'll find LOADS of info about what's available as well as honest opinions about performance and sound quality. Just be sure to bring your favorite salt shaker as with anything involving someone else's experience about audio (grain of salt).

-Steve

**btw, here's a current thread about someone in your position needing to buy a DAC. There just happens to be a few folks lauding the same DAC I'm using and it's currently on sale direct from the manufacturer, the Schitt Modi 3: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/dac-shopping.925334/

correction, looks like the sale ended last week but it's still a good deal for $99 imo
 
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I was all excited about the capabilities of the smsl SA300, it seemed like a good purchase at $140. Upon arrival, I rearranged my setup only to find out that the unit was defective and wouldn't boot. Between the lack of quality control in Chinese manufacturing and the user's lack of experience I am a bit spent.
I will order another DAC today, probably Schiit.
Again, I really do appreciate you and everyone else helping me get this reined in. Thank you
 
Anytime, my friend. That's why we're here :)

Probably good call on sending back the SA300. Btw, the Schitt stuff is made in the USA but defects can happen no matter where things are built. I think you'll be happy with the Modi 3 though.
 
Jason Grace said:
You aren't the first person who's said there's not much difference........
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Ah - not what I meant. What I was trying to say you can hear the difference through Advents, provided the amplifier doesn't suck. If you're paying $20 for Tidal, you're getting the lossless so everything you put upstream of the Advents is important.:thumbsup:
 
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