Advanced Mini Dock - recommended speakers?

[gcrames]

Have just got an advanced mini dock for my T60 and was wondering if anyone could recommend any particular speakers to use with it.

Initially I was looking for some that might use the S/PDIF socket, but I don't need surround sound, just something for playing music through. If anyone has any recommendations they'd be much appreciated.

Many thanks

[dr_st]

Why would there be particular recommendations for the dock? How is it different from any other computer or from plugging into the laptop directly? Good speakers are good speakers.

[Harryc]

I don't think it's an unreasonable question. The guy is just looking for a couple of suggestions on speakers to use with a Thinkpad. Perhaps we can extend an olive branch this time and make a few suggestions? I can't recommend my setup because it is impractical ... partly museum pieces, and partly high tech. I am assuming that whatever is suggested would have to be a standalone powered setup since the Thinkpad output is line level. I can tell you this though since it was mentioned, by FAR the best audio output from any Thinkpad I've ever heard is the SPDIF out on an Advanced mini dock piped through a decent AMP/speakers.

[underclocker]

In my office, with my T61 15.4" machine and an Advanced Mini Dock, I use a Topping TP30 T-amp (w/ USB DAC) with Snell Acoustics Type M speakers. It's heaven and looks great.

The TP30 is about $100 new and the Snell Type Ms are about $200 used (but are very rare, maybe 2 pair per year on eBay).

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=topping+tp30

http://snell.no/the_archives_type_M.htm

[Harryc]

Nice setup Underclocker. Any recommends on a USB DAC unit that is line level (non-amplified) and preferably SPDIF optical output (although regular RCA would sound good I'd imagine)? I have a decent Yamaha AMP and some huge speakers (6 including the sub) it drives, but the sound quality from most Thinkpads is well...you know.

[underclocker]

Harry, thanks. Basically, it's a very compact setup and sounds really good at low to medium volumes. The nice things about the TP30 are the USB DAC and banana jacks for speaker hookup.

I'd look at HLLY products, they have many interesting and unique products --> http://www.hllyelectronics.com/

They are sold directly, on eBay and elsewhere.

[Harryc]

The HLLY line looks nice. I like this one for the price - http://cgi.ebay.com/HLLY-Mini-USB-DAC-H ... 0088112646

[gcrames]

Thanks for the information - this is really interesting as I'd never heard of headphone amps before!

I've had a look at the hlly - would the input from the PC be USB and then output either SPDIF or standard audio?

Many thanks for your patience with my question!

[Harryc]

I've had a look at the hlly - would the input from the PC be USB and then output either SPDIF or standard audio?

Input from the PC is either SPDIF or USB, and output is standard audio.