Reference speakers and setup

[SmartOne]

I'm looking to buy reference speakers to replace my Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, consumer-grade speakers. The only brands that stick out from searching are M-Audio and Behringer. Any thoughts?

I have the HOTUSB1. Is there a disadvantage to use this with active speakers? I've noticed that my on-board audio sounds "raw," and this DAC/Amp sounds "warm...?" Does this device affect the sound quality? It does avoid electromagnetic interference, at least.

[hotaudio40]

Originally Posted by SmartOne

I'm looking to buy reference speakers to replace my Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, consumer-grade speakers. The only brands that stick out from searching are M-Audio and Behringer. Any thoughts?

I have the HOTUSB1. Is there a disadvantage to use this with active speakers? I've noticed that my on-board audio sounds "raw," and this DAC/Amp sounds "warm...?" Does this device affect the sound quality? It does avoid electromagnetic interference, at least.

You can use the HOTUSB1 or any of my DACs with powered speakers.
No problems at all.

Does it affect the sound quality...
Of course it does...

It improves it...

As far as what powered speakers to use...

I myself use a power amplifier and some tower speakers, but I have heard lots of people like the M-Audio speakers.

I haven't heard too much about the Behringer speakers, but they are a very reputable make as well.

I don't think either would be a bad choice...

I usually like to get the BIGGEST speakers I can afford.

As a rule, the bigger the speakers the louder they will go, and I like to listen to some music quite loud....

...

[SmartOne]

Is it okay to use the unbalanced stereo TRS output from the DAC/Amp as inputs to balanced speakers?

Your website says the HOTUSB1 is neutral. But it affects the sound? Just "not as much...?" For reference speakers, obviously I'd like the signal to be as pristine as possible.

[hotaudio40]

Originally Posted by SmartOne

Is it okay to use the unbalanced stereo TRS output from the DAC/Amp as inputs to balanced speakers?

Your website says the HOTUSB1 is neutral. But it affects the sound? Just "not as much...?" For reference speakers, obviously I'd like the signal to be as pristine as possible.

Well the HOTUSB1 is very neutral, just a tad warm...

As far as feeding the unbalanced output of the HOTUSB1 to the TRS inputs, I think you'll need some sort of convertion cable...

Like a unbalanced to balanced cable...

I think the TRS input is a stereo 3.5mm jack, but I'm not sure ????

Here is a good link:
http://rane.com/note110.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_audio

[SmartOne]

I was looking at this cable: http://www.zzounds.com/item--HOSCMP15

I can't find a brand other than Hosa, and the review is terrible:

"I would never consider using a product of this caliber on the road. Hosa cables are renowned for their short lifespan. This one is no exception. The right side will quite often stop working. I haven´t bothered trying to send it back, because it wouldn´t be worth it. I´ve worked with Hosa cables enough to know that it´d just stop working again in another couple weeks."

Yikes.

Which of your DAC/Amps, DACs, and Amps are the most "neutral?" Is there such a thing as a "bright" amp?

[hotaudio40]

Originally Posted by SmartOne

I was looking at this cable: http://www.zzounds.com/item--HOSCMP15

I can't find a brand other than Hosa, and the review is terrible:

"I would never consider using a product of this caliber on the road. Hosa cables are renowned for their short lifespan. This one is no exception. The right side will quite often stop working. I haven´t bothered trying to send it back, because it wouldn´t be worth it. I´ve worked with Hosa cables enough to know that it´d just stop working again in another couple weeks."

Yikes.

Which of your DAC/Amps, DACs, and Amps are the most "neutral?" Is there such a thing as a "bright" amp?

Yes there are "BRIGHT" amps, and "NETRUAL" amps, "WARM" amps, "ACCURATE" amps, and every other characteristic of amp....


My most ACCURATE AND NETRUAL DAC ( not AMP! ) is the DAC STRAIGHT.

It can NOT drive headphones as it is just PURE DAC and has NO buffer stage.

So it can NOT drive loads lower then 5000 Ohms.

So it can NOT drive headphones of any kind...

But what it can do quite well is drive amps, powered speakers, etc.

http://hotaudio.com/zen-cart/index.p...roducts_id=203

Pure DAC sound....