[WarmColors]

Greetings,

I will be updating my PC (motherboard, CPU) I noticed that Gigabyte Aorus has ESS Sabre 9018 DAC. I am wanting to use my NX Studios as speakers but have no idea how to hook up an Odyssey amp to the computer. Would be fun to hook up a subwoofer if possible as well for 2.1 listening. Any recommendations?

Thank you.

[Sonicjoy]

Hi Warmcolors.

What king of amp is it? Model number? Is it an integrated? Does it have a built in DAC? Is this a desktop setting or a regular audio set up? If a desktop then you may not need a sub at that close distance. The Studios have quite good bass on their own. Try it first.

If it's an integrated amp without a DAC then you just need to connect the analog outputs of the PC to the DAC.

However you will be better off with an outboard DAC as opposed to the one in the computer. Computers are not the best source for audio. They are quite noisy (electrically). They can work with enough mods and special software (usually on a dedicated machine just for audio) but an out board DAC with usb input will usually sound better than the one in the PC.

There are lots of ways to go with computer audio. Provide more details about your setup, it will make recommendations easier.
I'm sure you will get some good suggestions from others.

The NX-Studios deserve the best electronics or you will miss out on what they are truly capable of.

[Hobbsmeerkat]

Yeah, he's talking about the motherboard's integrated dac/amp.
While they aren't a awful as they used to be, esp when it comes to high-end "gaming" boards, they still aren't to the same quality as a separate DAC/AMP, esp since PC cases are notorious for electrical noise. Even the formerly ruling "sound cards" have nearly died off for similar reasons.
The integrated solutions are usually fine for most consumer grade speakers, cheap powered monitors and most typical headphones. Ideally, you'll want to get an external amp for use with unpowered speakers, like the NX-Studio.

Ideally, you're going to want to get an integrated dac/amp or separates that are better suited for unpowered speakers.

Personally my plan is to use the PS-Audio Sprout 100 to power the NX-Studios when the time comes, but you could just as easily use something from Schiit or any other decent brand out there.

But thanks to the recent issues with human malware my Sprout's been delayed, but I'm not in any rush fo get it.

[Sonicjoy]

Hobbs I was responding to this question.

but have no idea how to hook up an Odyssey amp to the computer.

[WarmColors]

Thanks for the responses. I do understand that internal DACs are noisy and it's better to have them separate.

I've been researching and found that I can connect the Odyssey Stratos with an  RCA to the light green Jack, I can also hook up the Servo Sub to the orange/yellow jack. i would just go into my PC audio settings and change it to 2.1
That way I can use the DAC that's on the motherboard.

I will use the setup for near field listening, as well as filling the small room. One of the reasons I want to add the sub.

[Phil A]

For my main PC, I use a NuPrime IDA-8 integrated amp/DAC with Selah Audio SA2 speakers.  The PC (Windows 10) has JRiver as a player and is connected via USB.  For my back-up computer (also have JRiver and Windows 10), I have the left and right out of the soundcard into a Denon (1000) receiver driving small JBL Bookshelves.  I rarely use the back-up computer but do use my main PC for listening to potential downloads or burning CDs so I wanted something pretty good for audio.  I had the JBLs at one point on the main PC with a small powered sub (gave it to a friend) but used an outboard receiver to do my 2.1.  I mentioned 'Cheap and Cheerful HiFi' as there are some compact outboard DACs that are not expensive and are quite good for the money.

[Hobbsmeerkat]

Hobbs I was responding to this question.

My apologies, I missed that part of the question.