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 ) 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.



Design choices




*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 ) 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.

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 ...




Active speakers: Mackie HR624mk2, HERE ...

[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...

[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 ...




Active speakers: Genelec 8030.LSE Triple Play system, two 8030A monitors + 7050B subwoofer, HERE ...