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my quest for computer desktop speakers

I have a Peachtree Nova in my office. I used to use it with B & W 601S2s that were from my first mid-fi system (plus Rega Planet 2000, Adcom 545MKII, and a Parasound Preamp, later replaced by a Rega Brio) but those are just silly looking sitting on their stands on either side of my desk.

I bought a pair of Audioengine A5+ powered speakers for my desktop. Are they as good? No. But they are close.

All that would be fine except that I was hoping to use a uDAC-HD from W4S for my headphone amp and DAC. I'll be on headphones most of the time so that matters. I use Audio-Technica ATH-W1000X Grandiosos (a big step up from my Sennheiser 600s).

I like my W4S DAC-2 in my upstairs system a lot and I thought this would be a great move up from the Nova since the DAC-2 is slightly better than my Cary Xciter which was a significant move up from the Nova.

But to my surprise the uDAC-HD just doesn't cut it. Not enough bass, not enough soundstage. Time to send it back and move on.

My hunch is that the best way to go is to keep the Peachtree box. It's big, but it's free. I can get about $700 for it I suspect (I also have a Decco and more efficient speakers might be ok with that unit). Now I could just hook the pre out to the Audio Engines, but that seems like a waste.

So, given an amp that is anemic with speakers like the 601s, what would you recommend that would be roughly the size of the A5s? 10.75" high x 7" wide?
128x128intermediatic
onemug
784 posts
 
I'll "third" the A5's.

Originally bought them to use with the desktop but they found their place as speakers for our Samsung 60" plasma.

Intermediatic,
I hooked up a pair of NHT Super Ones that have been sitting for awhile. I forgot how good they sounded. They are an easy load for an amp and have good bass (for its size of course). They are not the most sensitive but if you don't need to crank it, they may work fine for you.
notec
407 posts
 
Audio Engine A2's
intermediatic's avatar
intermediatic OP
72 posts
 
Thanks everyone!

I've wound up buying P4s. The A5 has moor, but I liked the smaller size of the P4s which are voiced similarly but are passive. The A5s had a tad more bass but I thought the P4s were at least as nice in terms of soundstage and detail.
I felt that the P4s matched my B & W ASW 608 sub better than the A5s did, probably because they ended their run at a higher frequency, allowing the 608 to handle more of the lower frequencies.

To confuse matters, I also had a Peachtree Decco and given the relatively low wattage requirements of the P4s, I'm going going to put the Nova up for sale, pocket $700, and keep the Decco. It's my office setup and it will do for now. The key is the headphone amp and that sounds sweet in the Peachtree.

When my its time to upgrade from my W4S Dac-2 and Audiophileo 2, I'll reassess the amplifier situation in the office.
kiza
99 posts
 
Try Focal XS Book. After 100+ hours they sound much better than Audioengine 5+. Huge sound from a small speakers. Sounds unbelievable, I know.
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