Author Topic: replacing laptop speakers with headphone amp/DAC  (Read 704 times)

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Offline aldra

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replacing laptop speakers with headphone amp/DAC
« on: September 07, 2014, 04:15:39 pm »
laptop speakers tend to be shit, and mine are about the worst available. unfortunately due to size constraints, there's not really a drop-in solution, so I was thinking I'd instead remove them, and use the free space for an inline headphone amp. I could potentially make my own amp (there are plenty of plans around, and components aren't all that expensive), or buy a decent low-end amp/dac like the Fiio E11, strip it and mount it in the case...

unfortunately I might not have enough space for even a custom amp unless I make the pcb a very specific size, but I figured it was an interesting idea. any thoughts?

Offline RustyShackleford

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Re: replacing laptop speakers with headphone amp/DAC
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2014, 12:42:53 am »
What are the benefits over the built in amp?

Offline fanglekai

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Re: replacing laptop speakers with headphone amp/DAC
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2014, 02:43:36 am »
head-fi.org is probably a better place to ask lol

Offline aldra

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Re: replacing laptop speakers with headphone amp/DAC
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2014, 02:55:08 am »
lolno, I read head-fi when I want to buy new equipment but the grade of wankers there is staggering

Rusty: the built-in sound decoder seems to have a fairly low output level; it can't drive my ATH-M55s properly. I have a portable amp that works nicely, but I was curious about installing an amp inside the case so I don't need to daisychain a bunch of devices. I'll take a photo when I get home tonight.

Offline RustyShackleford

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Re: replacing laptop speakers with headphone amp/DAC
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2014, 03:20:06 am »
lolno, I read head-fi when I want to buy new equipment but the grade of wankers there is staggering

Rusty: the built-in sound decoder seems to have a fairly low output level; it can't drive my ATH-M55s properly. I have a portable amp that works nicely, but I was curious about installing an amp inside the case so I don't need to daisychain a bunch of devices. I'll take a photo when I get home tonight.
Ok sounds cool. I'm not much of an audiophile so I can't offer much help.