AMP + active speakers

[thezush]

Hey!

I am in desperate need for help. I have a pair of Yamaha HS7 (active speakers). I am looking to buy an AMP like the Topping Vx1. Does this work? I have looked everywhere without an answer.

Thanks!

 

[americanaudiophile]

Active speakers have amplifiers built in so you don't need an external amplifier.

 

[thezush]

The problem is that I want the DAC so I can connect to my computer and have my phone with the AUX.

 

[oczdude8]

You don't need an amp. Just get a mixer/soundcard. Something like this :http/www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBoxUSB

You can connect ur phone into the instrument port (need 1/8->1/4 adapter), and your pc is connected via USB.

 

[thezush]

It is more that it lacks the way of switching inputs. Would my speakers burn if I would try the Vx1? Powered to powered etc?

 

[oczdude8]

There is a chance of damaging them, but what usually happens is you get really loud volume without being able to adjust it (and some distortion). Ofcourse, these effects are different depending on the specific speaker and amp used. A quick google search of this will lend you more insight of whether or not its a good idea to connect powered speakers to an Amp. (hint: its not a good idea)

Can you let us know exactly what you need the "Amp" to do? You should look for those functionalities in mixers or external soundcards.

 

[thezush]

Ah thanks for clarifying that. The thing is like here is that it can switch from input sources between AUX and USB without mixing with cords. So that and volume control is basically all I need but havent found something fitting.

 

[oczdude8]

I wasn't able to find anything with a discreet input switch. See if you can do this with your PC's built in sound card. You can plug ur aux cable into the line in, and switch in windows between aux and PC audio.

 

[oczdude8]

If you use an AMP with your powered speakers you could blow them. And it'll sound crappy. All you need is a DAC. DACs tend to sound better than soundcards. I am also using studio monitors like you are and I have an ARCAM rPAC USB DAC which costs about $250 US dollars and sounds very good. You run RCA out off the back of it to your speakers directly. It sounds very very good. I used to have the Xonar Essence STX stereo soundcard which was $200 and it didnt sound as good as the $250 rPAC. Nowhere near as good.

The rPAC also has a surprisingly decent headphone amp via the 3.5mm jack up front. And you can listen to headphones and speakers from the unit simultaneously.
http/www.arcam.co.uk/products,rSeries,USB-DACs,rpac.htm

Issue is, OP needs something like you posted, but with an aux input and the abilty to switch between aux and USB. Otherwise, he could have even used his PC's onboard sound card.