Design choices for a small audio system

[F u r u y á]

Which design choice would you pick (picture below), considering:

Budget
$500 USD

Purpose
Listening to FLAC audio in my room

Room size
7 x 15 feet (230 x 460 cm)

Audio power
50W

Source
My desktop computer


If, for a bit more budget (or a bit more than a bit :p) you would pick other design choice not restricted to $500, please post a reply explaining why it would be a better choice.

This is an addition to the thread Building a small 2.1 system (http://forums.audioreview.com/general-audio/building-small-2-1-system-38741.html).



Design choices

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Furuyah/comp/designchoices_zpsd520a84f.png


*edit: added one more design (D8)

[bfalls]

You might check out Emotiva. They have several options for powered speakers. They also have a DAC. Their powered Airmotiv 5 and 6 speakers are on sale until the 15th ($399 for the 5 was $449, $579 for the 6 was $699). Over the holidays they were offering a free DAC with a system purchase, but that sale is over.

Look under their Community tab for their Forum and look up the Airmotiv speakers, or go online for more reviews. They also have a new 8" "Stealth" version of the powered speakers. For $799, but they are a bit out of your price range. If I were in the market for serious speakers I would consider the Airmotivs.

[Feanor]

Which design choice would you pick (picture below), considering:

Budget
$500 USD

Purpose
Listening to FLAC audio in my room

Room size
7 x 15 feet (230 x 460 cm)

Audio power
50W

Source
My desktop computer

If, for a bit more budget (or a bit more than a bit :p) you would pick other design choice not restricted to $500, please post a reply explaining why it would be a better choice.

This is an addition to the thread Building a small 2.1 system (http://forums.audioreview.com/general-audio/building-small-2-1-system-38741.html).

Design choices
...

I chose D3: Computer => DAC => Active speakers

I prefer that the DAC have its own volume control rather than relying on the computer. Given a fairly minimal amount of thought and a budget around $1500 perhaps I'd go for the following components:

DAC/preamp: Asus Xonar Essence One, HERE (http://ca.asus.com/websites/Global/products/r1OYJw1GHdZGIqQl/LBROIviBSx6uv0as_500.jpg) ...

9103
9104

Active speakers: Mackie HR624mk2, HERE (http://www.mackie.com/products/hrmk2series/) ...

[Feanor]

Given the original $500 budget I'd go D1: Computer =(analog)=> Active speakers.

That is, I'd skip the DAC and spend all the money on the a speakers. Accordingly I might go for a pair of KRK RoKit 8 G2, HERE (http://www.krksys.com/krk-studio-monitor-speakers/rokit/rokit-8.html)...

http://static.bhphoto.com/images/images500x500/567758.jpg
http://static.bhphoto.com/images/multiple_images/images500x500/IMG_25123.jpg

[Feanor]

Given a HUGE budget, (about $8000), I think I'd go once again to D3: Computer => DAC/preamp => Active speakers.

In this case no fooling around with half-measures:

DAC/preamp/digital equalizer: Lyngdorf DPA-1, HERE (http://www.lyngdorf.com/products/processors/dpa-1/product) ...

http://www.lyngdorf.com/images/galleries/dpa-1/DPA-1-front-angle-black.jpg
http://www.lyngdorf.com/images/galleries/dpa-1/DPA-1-back.jpg

Active speakers: Genelec 8030.LSE Triple Play system, two 8030A monitors + 7050B subwoofer, HERE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397437-REG/Genelec_8030_LSE_TRIPLE_PLAY_8030_LSE_Triple_Play. html) ...

http://static.bhphoto.com/images/images500x500/397437.jpg