Putting together an iTunes-based system?

[nick12]

A newbie/oldie asks: I'm looking to put together a second audio system for my large attic study and since that's where my computer is, it would seem to make sense to build the system around iTunes. Very intrigued by mentions in the magazine (and on this site) of DACs and active speakers and would like to know more. WARNING - I am not in the least bit tech-savvy, so ideally need it spelled out in large crayonned letters. Wanting to keep the number of additional boxes to a minimum, so is it possible to use a DAC with active speakers or do the latter preclude the need for the former? And what about the cabling? At present I'm using Acoustic Eneregy Aego M with my computer which is pretty much a plug and play set-up, but I can't help feeling that DACs and active speakers may result in a spaghetti of cabling or may require sockets that my computer simply doesn't have... I've read good things about Tannoy Reveal 601A speakers (which are around the price point I'm looking at) and of course the HRT Music Streamer II and Cambridge Audio DacMagic. Can anyone make any suggestions as to what I need and how to make a system like this really sing?

And how about a proper feature in the magazine about putting together these kind of set-ups?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, the Tannoys would do the job pretty well, and at a sensible price. Although they have their own volume control, it's located round the back, so is a bit fiddly to access, so I'd suggest a DAC such as the Beresford TC-7520, which has variable-level analogue outs controlled by a front-panel knob.

Connect your computer to this using a USB cable to the Beresford's USB input, and run standard phono interconnects from the variable (preamp) outputs on the Beresford to the Tannoy speakers. You'll need some cable adapters, as the Tannoys only have XLR and 6.3mm mono jack inputs, in common with many 'pro' speakers.

You can get adapters from places like Maplin, or you could buy cables with a standard RCA phono plug on one end, and a 6.3mm mono jackplug on the other. The kind of pro music stores selling the Tannoys should have suitable cables or adapters.

Oh, and if you're going to use the speakers on the same desk as the computer, which you may well be given that they're designed for near-field monitoring, it may well be worth buying some Auralex MoPads to put the speakers on to cut down boom and angle them up slightly towards you when you're sitting at the computer.

Hope that helps

 

[nick12]

Many thanks, Andrew! And what about adding a sub or is that just confusing the issue?