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Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2022 6:23 pm
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.
Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:03 am
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.
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]
Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:16 am
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.
Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:28 am
by Berty bass
Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 2:07 pm
by slinger
It's obviously good, it's got one of those big V/U meters I love.
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.
Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 4:23 pm
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.
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!
Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:57 pm
by slinger
Excellent news. I love it when a plan comes together.
Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 7:48 am
by antonio66
Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:51 am
by Berty bass
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.
Re: PC set-up: Active speakers Vs Studio Monitors
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:11 am
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.
