Desktop Speaker Setup Advice Please

[adulaamin]

Good day! I was given a pair of DALI Zensor 3 speakers a few months ago which I would like to use on my laptop. I have only ever used speakers which are basically "plug and play" so I would like to get advice on what parts I need to buy to get it to work. I'm quite sure I need an amp for it and a fee wires and probably a DAC? I'm currently in Australia so I'll be buying the parts here and I don't have a really big budget for it, but I am willing to spend more if required. My questions really are:

1. What amp would you recommend? Something small would be preferred as I don't have that much real estate on my desk.
2. What wires do I need?
3. Is a DAC necessary?

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[remixedcat]

Fiio or schitt are good brands.

Schiit modi and maga are good pair

I have a fiio e7k that's really nice. I paid 80 for it.

 

[Maxson]

Does your laptop have a line out socket or headphone socket or are you looking for a USB DAC?

I power a small pair of desktop speakers with a little TA2020 tripath amp like this one from amptastic: https://www.amptastic.com/ If you have a line out or headphone socket on your laptop you just need a 3.5mm stereo jack (I'm assuming a laptop would have that size) to twin phono cable to connect laptop to amp and some thick copper speaker wire for the speakers.

If you need a USB DAC you're into a whole wonderful and complicated seeming world of HiFi but the simple fact is that all DACs will sound the same so you should ignore all the expensive high end DACs that come with some claims about being particularly revealing.

One like this if you don't have a line out socket: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plugable-S...00NMXY2MO/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=

 

[nomdeplume]

1. What amp would you recommend? Something small would be preferred as I don't have that much real estate on my desk.
2. What wires do I need?
3. Is a DAC necessary?

I'm going to give you a serious answer that would only apply to your stated use under a few conditions; The desk is very solid. Back of the desk (back of the speakers) is not up against a wall. You take the time to place the speakers on stands that isolate them and aim their output.

1. You should pursue what is called an integrated amplifier. This combines the functionality of a DAC, pre-amplifier, and amplifier into one component. I'd make sure to get one at least matching the lower end of the 25-125w speaker rating. Look for a used one from a reputable brand; NAD, Yamaha, Marantz, Denon, Cambridge Audio...
2. Theoretically; USB A > USB B, two speaker wires, supplied power cord.
3. Not if you are into analog. In any other case the digital signal needs to be converted to analog.

My guess is these are not a good choice for your use. That you should store or sell them. I'd highly advise setting them up on the correct height floor stands a full meter out from a back wall and enjoying music on them. Rattling around on a desk sounding like poo with your head practically bumping against them while gaming is an awful idea that will never be satisfying.

 

[adulaamin]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'm going to settle with the Yamaha A-S301 connected to the laptop through an 3.5mm to RCA cable. The speakers will be 30cm. away from the wall and on stands. With regards to speaker wires, is there really a big difference between the expensive cables and the cheap 12 AWG cables on amazon?

 

[E-Bear]

A 2-way car amplifier that is small. Screwed on the side or at back of your computer desk. Power it up with a strong 12v psu or modifiy a computer psu so you can give it currents. Mine has the RCA input connectors for the wires that one side its rca to the amp and 3.5mm to the computer output.

 

[steen]

With regards to speaker wires, is there really a big difference between the expensive cables and the cheap 12 AWG cables on amazon?

Short answer: no. Long answer: you don't want to know, so no. Cheap flex is more than good enough for your source/amp/speakers. I use 6N 12AWG teflon insulated & terminate myself only because I can.

 

[E-Bear]

Seriously why buying speaker wires when you can just cut the copper wires with bigger gauge from dead housewares and electronics? I do that all the time since its thicker and its copper.