Posted July 8, 2015 Hello, I'm thinking of getting the Yamaha HS5 studio monitors and am wondering if I should also purchase a DAC (or Amp). I am using a Hackintosh and am unable to use audio coming from my motherboard so I use a Syba USB stereo audio adapter. I also have a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50xs. Should I be purchasing a DAC, like the Fiio E10k, or Audioengine D1? Will they sound okay w/o the DAC, and if not, how much of a difference will their be with the DAC? Thank You, Casey Yamaha HS5 http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HS5-Monitors-XLR-Male-Speaker/dp/B00DZSI0Y2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1436317342&sr=8-3&keywords=HS5 Syba USB Audio Adapter http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SD-CM-UAUD-Adapter-C-Media-Chipset/dp/B001MSS6CS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436317455&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+audio+interface Audioengine D1 http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-D1-24-bit-Digital-to-Analog-Converter/dp/B006IPH5H2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436317811&sr=8-1&keywords=audioengine+d1 Fiio E10K http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436317842&sr=8-1&keywords=fiio+e10k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) You'll need an amp because these (just like many other desktop/bookshelf speakers) are passive, meaning that they need to be amped in order to receive power. EDIT: I'm wrong, again. These aren't passive, they're active. Edited July 8, 2015 by SleathX1 | Athlon 750K | EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW | Acer Aspire E15 - i5 6200u, 940M | | Sennheiser HD 518 | FiiO E10K DAC and Amp | Moto G (1st Gen) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted July 8, 2015 You'll need an amp because these (just like many other desktop/bookshelf speakers) are passive, meaning that they need to be amped in order to receive power. No, they're not. I don't believe a DAC is likely to be necessary, either. Audio Reference • Cutting the Crap • 7.1 Headphones? • Audio Interference Troubleshooting GuideREVIEWS • HiFiMan HE-560 • Beyerdynamic T1 2. Generation • Schiit Bifrost 4490 • Schiit Valhalla 2RECOMMENDATIONS • The Audio Board's Recommended Gear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted July 8, 2015 The little Syba dongle is a DAC, but potentially not a very good one. There are cheaper options than the FiiO if you want deets. Only issue I foresee is that the inputs on the Yamaha are balanced... NVM! checked their website and it says they accept both balanced and unbalanced input. Enjoy! PC Build in LTT Gallery - JBL J88 - Fostex T50RP (Modded) - Pioneer SE-A1000 vs audio-technica ATH-AD500X - Skullcandy Aviator audio-technica ATH-T400 - CHC Silverado and Laredo - Clip-On Headphone Roundup - Sony LinkBuds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted July 8, 2015 Author Alright, thanks guys! Was not expecting such quick responses! The little Syba dongle is a DAC, but potentially not a very good one. There are cheaper options than the FiiO if you want deets. Only issue I foresee is that the inputs on the Yamaha are balanced... NVM! checked their website and it says they accept both balanced and unbalanced input. Enjoy! No, they're not. I don't believe a DAC is likely to be necessary, either. You'll need an amp because these (just like many other desktop/bookshelf speakers) are passive, meaning that they need to be amped in order to receive power. EDIT: I'm wrong, again. These aren't passive, they're active. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.jpeg.9babd505c85c11addf31a285a02547cc.jpeg)
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now