Hi all,
I'm looking to make a few targeted upgrades to my cheap PC audio system.. I currently have a pair of ancient Pioneer S-500X speakers connected to a cheap Phillips DCB152 Micro System fed by the basic Realtek HD integrated audio on my desktop's motherboard. Despite the poor quality of the components, this setup doesn't actually sound too bad; especially the mids and highs. The low end however is weak, especially at low volumes. If I use the Phillips' 'Dynamic Bass' option it then becomes far to 'flabby' and ill definied (albeit powerful) with noticable volume spikes at different frequencies across the low Hz range. I assume that the most significant weak link is the amp and I've got a budget of around £100-150 to upgrade this. Obviously, a dedicated DAC will be needed at some point but I can't afford to buy it at the same time as the amp (I'm a student) and I'm guessing the latter is more important for now (please correct me if I'm wrong). My main music source is Spotify at 320Kb/s running on a Windows 8.1 PC and the speakers currently sit directly on my desk close to the wall (not enough space for stands I'm afraid). I mostly listen to pop, EDM, rock and softer metal.
Please could you advise on which amp and dac would be a good match for my system (budget of £100-150 for each) and which I should upgrade first.
Thanks!
I'm looking to make a few targeted upgrades to my cheap PC audio system.. I currently have a pair of ancient Pioneer S-500X speakers connected to a cheap Phillips DCB152 Micro System fed by the basic Realtek HD integrated audio on my desktop's motherboard. Despite the poor quality of the components, this setup doesn't actually sound too bad; especially the mids and highs. The low end however is weak, especially at low volumes. If I use the Phillips' 'Dynamic Bass' option it then becomes far to 'flabby' and ill definied (albeit powerful) with noticable volume spikes at different frequencies across the low Hz range. I assume that the most significant weak link is the amp and I've got a budget of around £100-150 to upgrade this. Obviously, a dedicated DAC will be needed at some point but I can't afford to buy it at the same time as the amp (I'm a student) and I'm guessing the latter is more important for now (please correct me if I'm wrong). My main music source is Spotify at 320Kb/s running on a Windows 8.1 PC and the speakers currently sit directly on my desk close to the wall (not enough space for stands I'm afraid). I mostly listen to pop, EDM, rock and softer metal.
Please could you advise on which amp and dac would be a good match for my system (budget of £100-150 for each) and which I should upgrade first.
Thanks!
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