http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132039
Available on newegg now, now that is expensive.
Available on newegg now, now that is expensive.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Is there even a single m.2 SSD available for end-user purchase yet?
hrmm... now the question, is it $170 better than the ASRock board (due to that being in stock in my local microcenter and being reflective of 4770k combo prices)...
Is there even a single m.2 SSD available for end-user purchase yet?
I want it almost entirely for the AC wifi feature...
Don't forget about buying with that combo a Samsung 840/840 Pro SSD take off another -$20.00 of there price..
Yes. Quite pricey though, at around $1150 for a 128GB drive. However, you do get a free Sony VAIO Pro 11 ultrabook with every purchase.
Normally USB WiFi adapters are cheap enough that it doesn't matter much, but an AC adapter is $50, so I guess if you actually plan to use that feature, you can consider the motherboard as $50 off.
I just checked, and as mentioned the cheaper Asus Deluxe board has AC, as does the ASRock Z87.
Wow, $600+ speakers? With speakers that expensive, you owe it to yourself to use an external DAC. If you are severely space limited, maybe something like this can power it as well as be an external DAC.
I'm a big fan of using real bookshelf speakers for a computer, instead of "multimedia" speakers. However, I would usually go for something a bit more within my own budget. For instance, these $67 shipped JBL Loft 30 bookshelf speakers would be more my liking.
I've been wanting a really nice set of speakers for some time but I do see your point. Thanks for the insight. I will check around more. Anyone else have recommendations for speakers and DAC paired with the impacts sound card?
I've been wanting a really nice set of speakers for some time but I do see your point. Thanks for the insight. I will check around more. Anyone else have recommendations for speakers and DAC paired with the impacts sound card?
I've been wanting a really nice set of speakers for some time but I do see your point. Thanks for the insight. I will check around more. Anyone else have recommendations for speakers and DAC paired with the impacts sound card?
The DAC connects via USB, so the sound card is irrelevant (isn't that the case with all DAC's anyway??? Isn't the DAC the sound card??).
The DAC connects via USB, so the sound card is irrelevant (isn't that the case with all DAC's anyway??? Isn't the DAC the sound card??).
Not necessarily. Some DACs receive digital input through SPDIF, thus using your sound card's digital coax or optical output. For instance that's how digital receivers work. You can also buy stand-alone DACs with that functionality.
I read the review and while the guy really likes the speakers, he does indicate that they are the most amazing in a really small room. His example was his "3m square office." A bigger set of speakers overpowers such a small room. I'd say keep these in mind if your room is very small, but look elsewhere if your room is bigger. The high end audio market does not lack for expensive bookshelf speakers.
BTW I just took a look at your DAC link. I own a set of Audioengine A2 speakers. They sound good, but fall flat at higher volume levels (example: I tested in my living room) probably because the speakers are so small. I ended up switching to some lower end Polk bookshelf speakers powered by a spare receiver. I was happier with the sound in my listening environment.
What kind of space constraints are you in? You are obviously looking at mini ITX motherboards. Are you just desk limited, or is it more of a "small = sexy?"
The DAC just converts the digital signal to audio. You will still need an amplifier for the speakers. Or you could buy amplified speakers, such as the A2's or A5's. These contain a built-in amplifier so you don't need a separate one.
What are your reasons for buying the Impact? If you aren't going to use the sound card, have you considered dropping down to the Deluxe? You would save yourself a little money, that's all.
You can go one of two ways:
1) DAC -> amplifier -> passive speakers. I assume your amplifier would have a headphone jack on it, so you would plug your headset in there. I guess you could also plug your headset directly into the Impacts sound card if you wished.
2) DAC (that may or may not also contain a headphone amplifier) -> amplified speakers. If you get a DAC without a headphone amp, you would have to connect your headphones to the sound card.
I have the second setup. I have the Audioengine D1 DAC connected to my computer via USB. My A5's (amplified bookshelf speakers) are connected to the DAC. My DAC also contains a headphone amp, so I plug my headphones into that. I completely bypass my motherboard's sound card.
What headphones do you have??