What is the opinion of Reddit about the
Peavey USB-P USB Playback?

I’ve had issues with Logic overdriving the headphone jack, even when all the levels are well away from clipping. An audio interface is a good option. I’ve had good luck with this Peavey USB interface

(OP’s husband here): I was thinking about going that route, but I don’t know how well our laptop would handle 2, 3, or even 4 audio devices simultaneously. I’d be worried about annoying timing issues, weird delays, CPU issues etc.

I was thinking about getting a few of these.

Another thing I worry about regarding USB interfaces is ordering. If the computer powers up/down again, there’s no defined order of the interfaces, and thus no way of knowing which zone is which

All in all though, I was hoping for some kind of all-in-one always-on solution where a single component would allow us to handle mixing, equalizing, routing, etc. remotely. You are correct that a lot of what’s available seems to be overkill.

That Magni 2 is a headphone amp, and won’t give you balanced output. Take a look at the PreSonus AudioBox USB 2×2, it offers balanced TRS outputs…and has a nob.

The Peavey USB-P has no nob, but it can be had at a far lower price point, it was $36 last week so I expect it will drop again: https://www.amazon.com/Peavey-3001370-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B004A4PSEU

If you don’t need a mixer and just want a direct out of the computer into the LSR305’s then get this.

https://www.amazon.com/Peavey-3001370-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B004A4PSEU

and two XLR cables.

The Peavey will take the digital signal (USB) out of your computer and turn it into a BALANCED Analog signal through the XLR.

Balanced is the key here, as running cables near PC’s and monitors, and routers you can pick up a decent amount of interference just coming 3.5mm out of your computer (Unbalanced).

I hate to say it, but there is a low possibility that you’ll find a product that has 8 balanced outputs that isn’t an Audio Interface(that also has inputs). The closest you can get is two channel with something like this (Peavey USB Audio Interface https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A4PSEU/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_7Y98vb4YXE5SB) but a device using ADAT and sending balanced 8 channels isn’t exactly perfect. This is really something that has elements of all aspects of audio mushed in.

You’ve got the Pro Audio with the balanced Outs, you’ve got Home Theater with the 7.1/8 channels, and you’ve got Audiophile with the ADAT/digital signal.

I wish I knew more to help better.

I just purchased some KRK Rokit6 G2 studio monitors. Right now I am connecting them with a 3.5mm cord to 1/4 inch TRS from my macbook pro. I want to upgrade to a better DAC than my macbook and possibly to a balanced connection.

I have a FiiO Andes USB headphone DAC/Amp. Would this do anything for the sound quality coming from my macbook to the KRKs? Should I look into purchasing something like the Peavey USB-P Audio Interface for the balanced connection. Are there any similar alternatives possibly with a volume control that would give a balanced output. I don’t need the recording functionality so a complete audio interface seems like a waste. Any suggestions?

I just purchased some KRK Rokit6 G2 studio monitors. Right now I am connecting them with a 3.5mm cord to 1/4 inch TRS from my macbook pro. I want to upgrade to a better DAC than my macbook and possibly to a balanced connection.

I have a FiiO Andes USB headphone DAC/Amp. Would this do anything for the sound quality coming from my macbook to the KRKs? Should I look into purchasing something like the Peavey USB-P Audio Interface for the balanced connection. Are there any similar alternatives possibly with a volume control that would give a balanced output. I don’t need the recording functionality so a complete audio interface seems like a waste. Any suggestions?

I usually use a Peavey USB-P direct box/interface.

https://www.amazon.com/Peavey-3001370-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B004A4PSEU/

Works well for our needs.

I use this Peavey unit. It works perfectly under fedora and sounds great with my vintage Klein+Hummel powered monitors. XLR outputs only, though.

You can buy an expensive one or a cheap one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A4PSEU/ref=dp_prsubs_2

Alternatively, for less than the cost of a stereo DI, you could just add a second output interface. I have this one and it’s fine: Peavey USB Audio Interface https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A4PSEU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QMgfzbMA9GX3R

You can either go the cheap way ala /u/mister_damage or do it right and get a USB DI ala Peavey USB-P, Radial USB-Pro or Whirlwind PC-USB as examples.

BOOSH

http://www.amazon.com/Peavey-USBP-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B004A4PSEU

This works

Both links you provided would involve RCA to either XLR or TS adapters which would be an unbalanced connection to your speakers.

This Peavey Audio Interface + 2 XLR cables would provide a balanced connection.