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First Steps into Computer Audio


Hi

I have shifted from traditional rig (first Vandy HT system w/ Arcam receiver, to Acoustat 2+2 with Belles 400 amp), to computer audio.

My main system is a desktop Dell Dimension P4 system, that has a SB Audigy 2 card. Will be listening to lots of classical, jazz, etc, as well as movies. Room is a very small 8 by 5 or 8 by 6 room

I just bought Audioengine A5's with the 25% off coupon, and likely will also buy some Quad 11L's to compare and sell the one I don't like as much.

So chain will be P4 w/ SB audigy 2 to A5 or Quad 11L (I assume the Quad 11L will be way better but will review and let folks know).

Now the question is what next to improve sound (and I will of course wait to do my next upgrade but already planning as most everyone says Audigy 2 is not very good.

I don't need a headphone amp (ok if it comes with) as 95% or more of listening will be done with speakers so I guess I could

1. Buy a better soundcard to output analog to speakers (say Chaintech low end, or 1212M higher end, or Xonar STX not sure my mobo is PCI E)

2. Use a USB dac from the usb ports, and feed speakers

3. Use the CB Audigy 2 digital out (SPDIF) to a DAC, or use the better sound card's digital out to the DAC to speakers.

I think would want very good SQ, but also keep price relatively reasonable.

Thoughts? Opinions welcome

Shriram
shriramosu

Showing 3 responses by mmarvin19

mmarvin19
157 posts
 
Hi Shriram.

> The Quads are not active (self amplified) speakers like the Audioegines. You would need a preamp plus amp or an integrated amp to run the Quads.

> IMHO, the digital to audio converrsion should take place outside of the PC where, like Jax2 wrote, its too noisy.

> If you are running WMP (Windows Media Player) you should download a better sounding player (for free)like JRiver Jukebox, Media Monkey or Fubar.

> If your OS is Windows XP, you should download (free, again) ASIO4ALL which will improve sound by bypassing the Windows kernel mixer.

> The speakers and the electrics depend on you budget. USB DACs(most of which also have optical and/or coaxial inputs)start at about $150 and run to over $5000. AGon always has a good assortment of used DACs up for sale. If you give your budget, I'm sure a number of Forum members will make good recommendations for products in your price range.
mmarvin19
157 posts
 
I was mistaken about the Quad 11L - it is indeed self-powered. I was thinking of the old 11L which was no active.
mmarvin19
157 posts
 
For the last several months I have been reading this Forum as well as a number of other PC audio forums. I could be wrong, but the consensus seems to be that the best PC to DAC connections are as follows (in descending order);
1. I2S
2. Firewire
3. USB ala something on the order of Empirical, Wavelenght, Weiss, et. al.
4. USB into an affordable DAC
5. coax or optical from internal soundcard to DAC

But, there are other considerations. Downloading one of the free media players, like Foobar, Media Monkey or JRiver Jukebox. And for Windows XP, downloading the free ASIO4ALL driver to avoid the Windows KMixer.
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