From the right, the speakers are old Monitor audio Bronze BX1 (original version), that’s a pair of Sennheiser HD600 headphones, below it is a Topping EX5 DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre Amp.
To the left of the headphones is the WiiM Mini. Centre is my monitor. Below it is a space where my laptop goes, but someone’s borrowed it.
To the left is a jar of KP Dry Roasted Peanuts, to the left of those my Fire Tablet, currently displaying what I’m playing.
Finally, below that is my old trusty Denon UD-M31. What you can’t see is my BK XLS200DF subwoofer.
The EX5 is on pre amp duties for the Denon/BX1s, and also drives the headphones.
Changes coming are:
- A new PC (to replace the lapdog).
- Topping PA5 II Plus amp (to replace the Denon).
- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 and/or Revel M16 speakers.
- WiiM Ultra.
- SVS SB1000 Pro subwoofer.
- Possibly a WiiM Pro.
- Probably a larger monitor screen.
- Swapping out the riser that the current monitor is on, and standing the new monitor on top of the new desktop PC, then putting the hi-fi kit on top of a couple of mini stands:
The idea is for the Ultra to feed both the amp and sub from analogue outs, and the EX5 from digital out. However, depending on how user-friendly (or not) the Ultra is, it might be a pain to swap EQ profiles, turn the sub and bass management on and off, and turn room correction on and off, every time I swap between speakers and headphones. So I may buy a Pro to feed the EX5 purely for headphone use, and the Ultra just for the speakers.