Looking for suggestions on a DAC/AMP combo device or stack that will pass through to my desktop speakers without having to manually switch outputs while my headphones are plugged in.
What is your source and budget?
I connect a Zen DAC V2 via USB to my PC and then connect that via RCA to a Sabaj A10a amp which connects to my speakers. I use Grado 325x connected to the Zen. The amp only has one input (does have a sub out though which I don’t use), which is fine for my scenario, and is a bargain at £120. One reviewer tested it with his LS50’s (not meta) and was surprised how well it worked. He said sound quality wise it is better than the NAD 3020 V2 which is £400. I’m personally not that impressed by the Zen. I don’t hear any significant difference in quality compared to plugging straight to my phone, with Spotify, CD quality and hi-res. I keep seeing comments about a ‘night and day improvement’ which are utter nonsense. VHS to 4K is a night and day difference. To me it just gives more volume but your results may vary. Hope that helps.