X1s as mentioned is strong at DAC part. It would be a good DAC for your speaker (using line out). Pre-amp and headphone amp is more like a complimentary. It's not a dedicated preamp for speaker.

If your speaker is an active speaker, usually comes with build in preamp and power amp. So actually you don't really need another pre-amp actually. It may also cause distortion due to double amping.
Unless you can bypass the build in pre-amp or the original speaker doesn't come with it, only have power amp.

That's the tricky thing, using headamp module to amplify DAC output and supply to speakers will not work, I've been tested this for long, so in the market there are very few DAC, preamp/headamp that designed correctly, I believe Fostex HP-A3 is designed for that, maybe Audinst HUD-MX2 too?

if i were you will consider Fostex HP-A4/A4BL 

That's the tricky thing, using headamp module to amplify DAC output and supply to speakers will not work, I've been tested this for long, so in the market there are very few DAC, preamp/headamp that designed correctly, I believe Fostex HP-A3 is designed for that, maybe Audinst HUD-MX2 too?

   
I think you misunderstand what i'm referring to.
You don't use headphone amp to supply to speaker. If you want to use it as a dac, you just have to choose DAC and use RCA line out at the back and connect to speaker amp or active speaker, which means bypassing the headphone amp.
Also a lot of the DAC comes with line out, especially desktop unit.
Fostex HP-A3 is exactly having same function as X1s except X1s has build in preamp for speaker. If you do not need this function, just choose pure line out and it works exactly the same as Fostex HP-A3 and Audinst HUD-MX2.

To make it simply, I will write down few combination for you to refer to:

Speaker system
DAC/ Sound card > analogue line out (3.5mm / RCA / jack / XLR) > Integrated Speaker Amp > Speaker out (banana plug or Y plug > Passive Speaker
DAC/ Sound card > analogue line out (3.5mm / RCA / jack / XLR) > Active Speaker (with build in integrated speaker amp)

The terminology might sound confusing. Usually we call it headphone amp but some also call it headphone preamp. Headphone preamp is different from speaker preamp.


Check out the in /output.
Audio in meaning, bypassing the DAC and just use the headphone amp, where X1s receiving analogue signal from another DAC.
Audio out is the analogue line out that I'm referring to. Bypassing the headphone amp and just use it as a DAC.
But one more extra step which you have to choose at the front of the unit, whether to use speaker pre-amp or pure DAC

Coaxial, optical and usb wise are for digital signal.
** To add on, if you don't really need a volume control at X1s or any other DAC for your speaker, then actually don't have to bother using the speaker preamp function.
Some need it is because their speaker system doesn't come with it.

I hope this clarifies. 

lol, I understand what you mean, I've try use DAC line out straight to power amp, but then no volume knob to control volume, unless hook up to an integrated amp, but then I'm using power amp, also for headphone I'm using O2 combo. If I remember correctly Aune X1S does not have preamp volume control for the DAC right? That's the feature a lot people love to have, marry me that button!

Yes in your case, you need a DAC with preamp function as volume control.
I tend to misunderstand when you mentioned, "so in the market there are very few DAC, preamp/headamp that designed correctly"
Some may need a preamp and some may not.

Also my mistake, Aune X1S doesn't come with preamp function. The older version Aune X1 pro did come with preamp. I didn't notice they cancel it on the latest model.

Actually there are still a lot of options if you are looking for DAC with preamp such as Matrix new mini i, Mini i pro, Musical Paradise MP-D1 MK2, Audio-GD C2, NFB1 amp and so on.
If you just need something as volume control or separate preamp but not dedicated one, then get Bravo ocean will do.

can you recommend budget dac/pre-amp?

Below 1k, can try iFi Nano iDSD. You can control the volume of RCA output. Portable, supports DSD.
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/nano-idsd/

Below 2k, strongly recommend Musical Paraside MP-D1 mk2. It is tube DAC, can adjust the sound signature and quality by tube rolling.

Source: PC, android phone
Equipment:ATH-M50X, ATH-PRO5MK2
Requirement:Getting more lively and punch sound
Budget: Around 300

Was considering getting Fiio Q1, any advise sifu?

hi. i am looking for a amp/dac to pair with AKG K550. any recommendations?

budget is around 1k. interested in modi/magni stack but unsure of the sound. unable to audit due to my location is in sabah. my source will mostly play from laptop, the on board sound card not really gud. hissing all the time despite installing new drivers. i am a 'pseudo' audiophile ( means i do appreciate and love gud sq but can't stand bad sq ), but i try to keep the budget for this system low. trying to get the best out of my money.

i usually use this system to watch movies and listen to music. genre will be hip hop, jazz, bossa nova. depending on mood.

appreciate if u can help me with my dilemma.

Can anyone recommend me a headhpone amp? DAC not required.

Source: Pc, Andriod.
Equipment: Beyerdynamic DT990
Requirement: Something budget friendly that can drive the DT990s for best performance per buck, prefer warmer sound with lots of soundstage.

Kindly advise please

Source: PC, android phone
Equipment:ATH-M50X, ATH-PRO5MK2
Requirement:Getting more lively and punch sound
Budget: Around 300

Was considering getting Fiio Q1, any advise sifu?

Schiit Magni and Modi are very nice, balance and slightly warm sound. Besides that, can also consider Aune X1s or T1SE (both support DSD already).
Here's some comparison:
http://www.headfonia.com/schitty-magni-and-modi/


http://en.auneaudio.com/index.php?s=Home/A...ail/id/124.html


http://en.auneaudio.com/index.php?s=Home/A...tail/id/97.html
Below thousand, try Shonyun 306a, Aune B1 or iFi Nano iCan. They can roll off the treble a bit and make the mids warmer and thicker.
Btw, DAC will also will affect the performance of warmness and soundstage. If just connect 990 with pc/phone onboard sound card, it will only amplify the bad signal also. If you don't have any DAC/DAP yet, I will suggest you to get an entry level DAC with build in amp first.
Fiio E17k or iBasso D-zero mk2. Slightly over your budget and will provide more clarity and transparency.

Hi,

Thank you for your reply!

Sorry I was inaccurate, I do have an existing entry level DAC, the FIIO E10K. So pairing these with the said amps would work well right?

How about Schhit Magni/Vali? Would either one of these go well with DT990?

Also, do you know any sources where I could find nice songs to test soundstage?