Upgrading pc audio for 300 pounds

[hybridauth_Facebook_100000685361587]

I'm looking for some change in my audio system. Currently I'm using yamaha pianocraft mcr-750 connected to my pc integrated card. Yamaha system is great for music, never heard such a great sound, but it lacks some decent kick in games or movies.

In the past i had genius sp-hf2000x, they were decent low budget 2.0 pc dedicated speakers, they weren't even close to yamaha in case of music, but on other fields they had decent kick.

I'm looking for some second hand solution under 300, since next year i will change something again

I am wondering what to buy now, prodigy cube dac + some passive speakers for yamaha, or maybe completly new system? I will be glad to hear some advice.

 

[steve_1979]

Yamaha HS5 active monitors and Behringer UCA-202 DAC.

Secondhand you could probably find some Yamaha HS7 monitors within your budget or maybe some slightly older but more potent Yamaha HS80M monitors.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100000685361587]

Thanks for your reply, I found one offer on HS7 for as low as 220 pounds, unused but second hand. Listing is quite old so I'm not sure if they are still for sale. HS5, HS80M. Any alternatives, in case they are already sold?

 

[davedotco]

The Yamaha HS series are outstanding value, even new. Buy whichever you are comfortable with price wise. The older models are decent enough though the new ones are better, secondhand may not be an advantage unless you are pretty sure they have not been given a hard life in a studio setup.

If you have decent analogue out from your soundcard, just get the HS7s.

If you really want to look at alternatives, try these online retailers....

http://www.thomann.de/gb/active_nearfield_monitors.html?sid=fcd96e36bbb9f49d14c3eafe1a102754

https://www.studiospares.com/Headphones-and-Speakers/Studio-Monitors.htm

 

[chebby]

Yamaha HS5 active monitors and Behringer UCA-202 DAC.

I recently heard Yamaha HS5s and KRK Rokit RP5s together here. The Rokits were excellent (smooth and open) and the Yamahas extremely edgy and harsh.

I'd go for this ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/KRK-Rokit-Monitors-Pair-Scarlett/dp/B00FWREVNI

 

[davedotco]

Yamaha HS5 active monitors and Behringer UCA-202 DAC.

I recently heard Yamaha HS5s and KRK Rokit RP5s together here. The Rokits were excellent (smooth and open) and the Yamahas extremely edgy and harsh.

I'd go for this ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/KRK-Rokit-Monitors-Pair-Scarlett/dp/B00FWREVNI

That is almost the complete opposite of my experience, it is the Rokits that always seem 'shouty' to me.

Assuming it was not an eq issue, both models have wide ranging adjustments on the rear panel, then maybe the latest G3 models are an improvement, not sure if I have heard them or not.

 

[fr0g]

Another option if you can find some(discontinued I think) is a pair of M-Audio DSM-1 speakers. May be slightly overbudget, but they include built in DAC and a digital input. They sound pretty good too.

 

[rainsoothe]

+1 for the Yamaha HS actives - they sound great and I, for one, don't find my HS80M edgy whatsoever (there's trim settings on the back as well to help with this stuff)

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100000685361587]

RockIt looks quite amazing, and has front bass reflex which is nice when you want to save some space.

However, after reading some texts over internet i found that Yamaha may be better for me.

I realise that they can be great deal new, but if you are constantly juggling with hardware, you like to buy it as cheap as possible, to reduce potential loss, when selling. So I'm looking for some bargain on Yamaha, and I will try KRK RP5 as soon as possible to make sure they will/won't fit to my preferences. However, still I will search for other options, since with more options it will be easier to find great deal.

 

[lpv]

Yamaha HS5 active monitors and Behringer UCA-202 DAC.

I recently heard Yamaha HS5s and KRK Rokit RP5s together here. The Rokits were excellent (smooth and open) and the Yamahas extremely edgy and harsh.

I'd go for this ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/KRK-Rokit-Monitors-Pair-Scarlett/dp/B00FWREVNI

That is almost the complete opposite of my experience, it is the Rokits that always seem 'shouty' to me.

Assuming it was not an eq issue, both models have wide ranging adjustments on the rear panel, then maybe the latest G3 models are an improvement, not sure if I have heard them or not.

Same here.. I went with an open mind to audition some actives and Rokits were least impressive, muffled - anything but smooth and open.