Headfonia has a brief comparison between the LX and the original MSII+. Keep in mind I haven't had experience with many different DAC's, but I compared the original (trapezoidal) MSII+ and the new (oval)  model and found the sound of the new one to be both clearer and smoother. The bit of grain...

I had the same impression of the Streamer II+, but I really think that the 2011 edition takes care of  that little bit of leanness/brightness the older version had.

I suggest looking into the HRT Music Streamer II+ (it's $295 if you get an open box from OneCall, otherwise it's $350 -- they have the newest flat/oval-shaped version). It has a USB input, a line-level output, and nothing else. No headphone amp, no SPDIF input, and no volume control, which ...

The flat, oval-shaped unit has only become available this month (or the last days of May), so anyone who posted previously was talking about the trapezoid-shaped one. I'm also wondering how the MSII+ compares to the NFB-3 (or 2).

I have a USB-powered DAC with fixed level RCA out only (the HRT Music Streamer II+), and it's so loud that anything over 9 o'clock on my speakers is too loud for me for normal listening. So I don't think it's a USB power issue. I'm not familiar with the Prodigy Cube, but I wonder if this could...

88.2 kHz playback through the Music Streamer II/II+ constantly skips/pops when using WASAPI but not KS.  Is this an issue with the Streamers, or is it a computer-related issue? I don't have another DAC that can play 88.2 kHz files to test this, but this does happen on different computers running...

I haven't really seen mixed reviews on the Streamer II, except for possible computer-dependent issues with USB power. Is that what you're talking about? That is personally what I'd go with in that range, especially given your space limitations. The uDAC-2 is also in your price range and it's...

  Quote: I doubt I'm the appropriate person to answer this, but I actually hadn't thought of this issue as a fault or defect in the product, just as a problem that comes up when the Streamer (like other USB dacs?) is used with certain computers/USB ports. Which I guess could be...

Is the static constant? Which Streamer do you have?   I don't know if this is the same problem you're having, but some people have trouble with sporadic bits of static with the MSII (and MSII+ ?).  From what I've seen, it's said to be due to the streamer not getting enough power. The usual...

Another vote for the Music Streamer II.

To connect the Bose speakers to your sound card, you can use a 3.5 mm stereo to RCA cable like this one (I have no idea about the build quality of that particular cable; it's just the first one I found).   If you're still looking into powered speakers under $200, you may want to consider the...

I'm interested in getting some floor stands for my m200MkIII's (mostly due to space issues), but I can't help thinking about a review on 6moons that mentioned that they benefit from the low-end boundary support of a desktop. Can anyone comment?

I have no experience with either of those speakers but I've been considering buying the D1080MKII 08's (I have the M200MkIII's and I'm extremely happy with them, so I thought I'd go for another pair of Swans for a second computer). I've noticed that some compare the D1080MKII 08's to the A5's in...

Quote: Does the "extremist" setting cause permanent changes, or is it risky to try only because it may make the system unstable until a reboot?      

I think the D12 only supports up to 16/48 over USB. But if your laptop/desktop have SPDIF output, you should be able to get 24 bit. Don’t quote me on any of this, though.

I don't have any recommendations, but I wanted to point out something that may be minor: since each of the Rokits has its own RCA input jack, you’d have to split down a Y cable (or get a split one), and it could be messy/awkward. They also weren’t a good match for my 4G iPod Classic when I tried...

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  Quote:   Heh, I just thought I'd say I got the MkIII's in part thanks to you, and I couldn't be happier. They're just as good as you said, and I'm one of them picky ones that can't help finding fault with everything. So thank you.

I vote against the  KRK Rokit 5's. I had them for a short period of time.... I tried to give them a good chance, to break them in, but I just couldn't stand them.  They sounded muffled and thin.

That card's really mean for gaming, as stated... it's not the best for music. Aside from the Asus Xonar series, you could consider the m-audio audiophile 2496 (though it seems it may have some driver issues depending on your OS, so maybe not such a good idea ).

I just got my uDAC-2 yesterday. I've noticed that there's a sharp decrease in volume when turning the pot down past 9 o'clock so that it's not really usable beyond that point. Is that characteristic of these units?

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've actually decided to go for the MKIII's instead (couldn't resist the temptation), so I'm really glad to hear that they sound fine sitting 3" from the wall. I was also told that 3" would be fine by Jon at The Audio Insider, so it seems there should be no...

Hi, everyone -- lost newbie here.   After much thought, I've more or less decided on buying the Audioengine A5's, which happen to have rear-firing bass ports.  However,  I just realized that the only place I can have them in my room is in front of a window with curtains , and I was wondering...