Instant hi-fi

[admin_exported]

I listen to music usually from my phone(with a 3.5 mm jack and mini usb) or my laptop. I want a good pair of active speakers preferably with a usb port and a built in DAC. I like the audioengine a5 but im not sure if it has built in dac since it doesnt support music feed from its usb port its only for charging:-(((

B&W MM 1 solves this problem but is "expensive" and has only 18 watts per channel of amplification as opposed to 50 watts per channel in A5's.

Also the larger question is of a DAC. Most of the reviews i read say that the dac chip on board the ipods & laptops is crappy at best.

However at this budget (200-250 pounds) does a DAC make a difference to the sound? Is it discernible? Is it worth the premium or is it better to stick to 3.5mm jack.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

What sort of phone do you have? My iphone (through an apple dock) sounds more than acceptable through my main system below...

Unless the phone shows up as a hard disk when you plug it into a computer, then a USB port isn't going to work regardless.

I would suggest that the A5s with any phone that sounds good through headphones should sound great...

 

[chebby]

ketanjivrajani:B&W MM 1 solves this problem but is "expensive" and has only 18 watts per channel of amplification as opposed to 50 watts per channel in A5's.

The MM-1 has 18 watts per driver (so 36 watts per channel). It is also an active design so very few of those watts are being converted to heat like in passive crossover components.

If you are using them as laptop speakers then you (presumably) have the host for your iTunes already connected via USB using the MM-1s internal DAC. So I am not sure how being able to connect your iPod is going to be better quality than that. Nevertheless the MM-1s also have a 3.5mm connection, so you can plug an iPod dock into them anyway. (If a friend wants to play their music too or whatever.)

However, if you can't afford them then you can't afford them, and the A5s should do the job fine. I would not worry about the DAC (if using A5s) as the cost would be too big a chunk of your budget.

 

[Anonymous]

The A5s do not have an internal DAC. I didn't check the wattage on the A5, but can confirm they do not lack power,scale or outright volume. They have it in spades. I havn't heard the B&W MMs but they look very nice at £399..

Consider a decent ipod dock that will enable the digital direct out from your iPod, rather than the 3.5mm jack, which does not have same sound quality.

 

[Anonymous]

thats right at this budget buying a separate deck is out of question.

but the real question is is it worth spending extra on the B&W's for the built in DAC, USB IN and the active technology that you are talking about?

how do the B&W's compare to A5's?

 

[Anonymous]

whatever system i buy im hell bent on connecting my ipod via usb cause if you read the B&W MM-1 review at avguide.com it says that when connected via oudio out from ipod dock or a laptop the sound was subdued at higher end of the spectrum.

 

[chebby]

I am going to be hearing the B&W MM-1s as soon as my dealer gets a pair in. (They have only heard the pair from a B&W rep so far).

Frankly, if they sound as great as the WHF review states, then I would be tempted to buy two pairs of MM-1s for the downstairs computers (and a Vita R2i for 'legacy' radio like FM and DAB) and sling sell the 'hifi'.

Given the amount of time I spend (working from home) sat at my computer desk I would probably get a better overall sound than the traditional set-up I have now, which demands traditional 'sweet spot' hifi listening to get the best from it. (Something for which I have no time or inclination.)

 

[Anonymous]

if i connect my ipod or cellphone to the B&W MM-1 via usb cable will it bypass the dac chip onboard the ipod and leave it to the dac onboard the speakers?

 

[Anonymous]

if i connect my ipod or cellphone to the B&W MM-1 via usb cable will
it bypass the dac chip onboard the ipod and leave it to the dac onboard
the speakers?