WTB: Good active speakers + DAC

I am looking for a decent pair of active desktop speakers for my computer table and a decent USB DAC.

What I have in mind is something like Audioengien a2, not the RM 100 noise boxes. Any idea where I can get them in KL?

Thanks for your help.

Yee

Looks like the only official distributor is in Singapore for your Audioengines. Maybe can try scout around for a 2nd hand pair?

Singapore Distributor:
Audiotrio
144 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Beauty World Centre
#03-15
Singapore 588177
http://www.audiotrio.com
poon@audiotrio.com
alex@audio.com
Tel: 90044989 / 98766255

For USB DAC, if you're looking for something around the same price range, I would recommend some internet shopping of some Taiwan DACs.

Keces DA-151 USB DAC is highly recommended in the online community. Good build quality, excellent customer service. They can also declare it as a computer peripheral, so you can hopefully avoid the Msian import tax. Shipping time is usually only 4 days to KL from Taiwan. It's priced at USD 250.



Purchase here:
http://www.acoustic-fun.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=31

Review:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0808/keces_da151.htm

You can also get a Valab DAC for slightly cheaper (USD 200), which is still well regarded, but it's Non Oversampling, and apparently the build quality is not as good as the Keces. Just search for Valab on ebay.




And if you want to get more expensive, then there's the more well regarded brand names. For over RM 1000, there's Musical Fidelity VDAC for RM1200 and the Cambridge Audio DacMagic for RM1400..both are available locally.

Hi Hzraz,

Thanks for your detailed reply. Really appreciated it.

I checked with audiotrio, the don't accept credit card, so payments is a hassle. ebay price is slightly cheaper as well.

I have been looking around a bit, and I find it amazing that I have not been able to find one a single vendor that carry this range of products.

The DAC you quoted me is a bit pricey. For that sort of money I would rather pay a bit more and get a Logitech Squeezebox Duet. I checked that it is selling around 260 USD in ebay.

If I were to go for a DAC, it would be sub 100USD, something like:


For now I think Squeezebox duet is more attractive, and I believe it can work apart from a PC with a USB drive.

CN Yee wrote:Hi Hzraz,

For now I think Squeezebox duet is more attractive, and I believe it can work apart from a PC with a USB drive

SB is an excellent product, but IMO, if it's just for your computer table where your speakers are, then SB is kind of overkill since it's strength is in network music distribution through the house.

Also, the built in DAC will be lacking in comparison to a good dedicated external DAC but with the digital outputs interface, you can always save up and buy the external DAC later. I'm not sure that the Duet has a USB input, thought everything is through the wireless network. Auronthas is the SB expert, maybe he can verify.

CN Yee wrote:
If I were to go for a DAC, it would be sub 100USD

Good sub 100USD DACs are few and far between....

The Super Pro DAC you highlighted has some good first impressions. For that price, I'm surprised it offers Coaxial / Toslink / USB inputs... Most manufacturers like to concentrate on a single input type at this price range. Let me know how it sounds if you do get that.

You might also want to consider the HRT Music Streamer, though I have not heard it myself.



Nominal price is USD 99... but I think it will work out to about USD 105 in practice.

Here is the company website:
http://www.highresolutiontechnologies.com/index.html

Here are the reviews:
http://www.soundstage.com/digitaldomain/200905.html
http://www.highresolutiontechnologies.com/5496_hifi+_HRT_lowres.pdf
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue43/satori_usb_dacs.htm

Currently, the only SEA distributor of these is in Singapore and currently selling for SGD 149 each. With SGD so strong to RM now, that's about USD 110...

Distributor Info:
musicLINK AV DISTRIBUTION
100 BEACH ROAD, #02-46-49
SHAW TOWER
SINGAPORE 189702
TEL: 65-62911106
BUSINESS HOURS: Mon-Sat:12.30-8pm daily. Sun: Closed

I go to Singapore often, let me know if you would like me to check it out for you.

It looks like you have a passion on DAC. By all means check it out please. I think many readers would be interested to find out as well. It would be good if you can write a summary on this subject. I believe DAC will be going mainstream. Your contribution could save many people hours of shifting through the internet.

Regarding Squeezebox, according to what I read, it does has a USB port, and will scan for music for drives connected to it.

I am particularly interested in SB because I have been thinking of setting up a decent sound system in my bedroom. My wife would never agree to a mountain of electronics and a mess of tangling wires. A pair of active speakers and a SB and its slick remote control is just the perfect package for me.

This is a list of USB DAC:
http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_DAC.htm

The first item - Musiland Monitor 01, selling for USD 75 (free shipping) looks very tempting.

For a USD 300 desktop active speaker - the limitation is the speaker itself. Anything more expensive is an overkill.

I am also contemplating Musiland Monitor 02

Talking about active desktop speaker, have you heard about Audioengine A2? Most of SB users in US (from Slimdevices forum) using this type of speaker, here's link for your reference.

a) http://www.audioengineusa.com/a2_home.php

b) http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=67800

Audioenngine A2 is exactly what I have in mind.

I narrow the choices down to Audioengine, M-Audio and Adam.

I am more inclinded towards Audioengine A2.