PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

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slinger
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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by slinger »

I think this is it...

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/LiNKFOR-Amplifier-Passive-Speakers-Converter/dp/B097DQL5SY/ref=sr_1_3

It looks OK, but obviously, I've never heard one. There's no USB input, and (although it probably doesn't bother you) there's no Subwoofer Out. It looks like the "LiNKFOR" doesn't have a remote control, either.

I've had a couple of SMSL's DACs over the years, too, and they've always been of good quality and good value for money. I know which I'd go for, but I am incredibly biased. :lol:
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Berty bass (Fri Jan 07, 2022 6:28 pm)
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by Berty bass »

slinger wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 6:23 pm I think this is it...

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/LiNKFOR-Amplifier-Passive-Speakers-Converter/dp/B097DQL5SY/ref=sr_1_3

It looks OK, but obviously, I've never heard one. There's no USB input, and (although it probably doesn't bother you) there's no Subwoofer Out. It looks like the "LiNKFOR" doesn't have a remote control, either.

I've had a couple of SMSL's DACs over the years, too, and they've always been of good quality and good value for money. I know which I'd go for, but I am incredibly biased. :lol:
I went with one of these in the end: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-ST-01-Bluetooth-Amplifier-Digital/dp/B09FLJ9RBM/ref=zg_bsnr_560868_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9F7812G1CD4SGVMB68JW

Looks to have the same sort of functionality as the SMSL (I don't have optical out on my PC so would have to output to the DAC/amp via USB) and similar, minimal footprint, and saves a few £'s. If it sounds no worse than my present set-up I think it will do for me for the time being. If it sounds like sh*t however...

[Edited by slinger, to make the link work]

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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by Fretless »

Interesting piece of kit. As with most Chi-fi products it is hit-or-miss about sound quality and reliability - although Douk Audio do look to be better than most.

There are several 'glowing' reviews on Amazon. :grin: :guiness;


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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by Berty bass »

Fretless wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:16 am Interesting piece of kit. As with most Chi-fi products it is hit-or-miss about sound quality and reliability - although Douk Audio do look to be better than most.

There are several 'glowing' reviews on Amazon. :grin: :guiness;


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And the Pun of the Day Award goes to... :dance: :grin:
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Fretless (Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:43 am) • slinger (Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:55 pm)

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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by slinger »

It's obviously good, it's got one of those big V/U meters I love. :lol:

As Fretless says, Douk is one of the "names" in ChiFi that generally has a good rep. I'll be interested to hear your opinions of it, because the more alternatives we have the better.
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by Berty bass »

slinger wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 2:07 pm It's obviously good, it's got one of those big V/U meters I love. :lol:

As Fretless says, Douk is one of the "names" in ChiFi that generally has a good rep. I'll be interested to hear your opinions of it, because the more alternatives we have the better.
It's turned up today. I'm working from home so haven't given it a very critical listen but I've got it plumbed in okay and it's working fine. I have the PC connected via USB so, I assume, it's benefitting from the amp's DAC, and first impressions are very positive. I played a couple of tracks from Spotify and I immediately liked the sound better than the previous set up, where sound was taken from the PC mini jack into an old-ish Cambridge A1 integrated. It sounds more lively and defined to me. The Rega R1 book shelf speakers are quite small but the amp has bass and treble controls so I don't feel like I'll need to add a sub or anything. It takes up very little space on my desktop too, though would happily sit atop one of the speakers if I wanted. All in all I'm very pleased. And, of course, it glows in the dark too! :lol:
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Fretless (Wed Jan 12, 2022 4:38 pm) • slinger (Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:57 pm) • antonio66 (Thu Jan 13, 2022 4:34 am)

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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by slinger »

Excellent news. I love it when a plan comes together. :mrgreen:
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Berty bass (Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:37 am)
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by antonio66 »

Very pleased you're enjoying the Douk /Dac, looks to be good value at £99. You might want to upgrade your tubes when you are more accustomed to the sound. Here's some possibilities:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373100315143 ... Sw2WhePFA7

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384230021397 ... SwbvxgzP1D

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182915719596 ... SwvlBf9ih9

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173736690190 ... SwpE5fzmgU

and these are supposed to be excellent tubes https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153750763071 ... SwgUJc7PFW

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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by Berty bass »

antonio66 wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:48 am Very pleased you're enjoying the Douk /Dac, looks to be good value at £99. You might want to upgrade your tubes when you are more accustomed to the sound. Here's some possibilities:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373100315143 ... Sw2WhePFA7

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384230021397 ... SwbvxgzP1D

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182915719596 ... SwvlBf9ih9

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173736690190 ... SwpE5fzmgU

and these are supposed to be excellent tubes https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153750763071 ... SwgUJc7PFW
Thanks for this. Being as we are the kind of people who frequent sites like these it must have been all of couple of hours after plugging in that I was thinking along these lines!

I'd add to previous comments that the unit also comes with a very useful little remote and a decent USB connector too. All in all, for a ton you can't really go far wrong. I'm sure it's hardly the last word in transparency and resolution but it makes a very decent, lively and engaging sound and is a noticeable improvement on my previous set-up - greater definition between instruments and a noticeably 3-D soundstage, which improves with a little more volume too (maybe simply down to the DAC). Very enjoyable for near-field listening.

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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors

Unread post by Berty bass »

antonio66 - I know nothing about valves at all. So, if it's okay, a couple of questions: 1) Will these all fit (I assume so otherwise you wouldn't have suggested them!), and 2) are any of them 'better' than the others? Or are they just different? If so, what kind of differences might I expect? Thanks.

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