Old Drive + DAC still better than my PC setup ?


Hi all,

Setup :
- Source 1) : Micromega Drive + Stax Dac
- Source 2) : PC + M Audio FW Audiophile + Stax (Foobar or ACXO with Flac or WAV files)
- Amp : Marantz PM 15 S1
- Speaker : Sequerra Met 7.7

I can't get my PC to sound half as good as my regular source. No emotion, no 3D, not enough detail ... I tried Winamp, Foobar, Zoom Player ... no. After many tests (format/media player) and when I finally think that my PC setup is OK (ACXO + WAV), I switch back to my Drive/Dac combo and ... no contest.

I read so many things on PC setup being good that I must do something wrong, no?

Thanks :D
hokhost

Showing 3 responses by hokhost

I was thinking about the Off Ramp turbo to plug my DAC through SPDIF.
I have foobar with KS, so shouldn't be to much of a problem.
Wish I bought a U24 when it was still available :(
I ll see if I can get them here in UK ...
I bought a used U24 on Ebay.
Its SPDIF output is much better than the one of M Audio Firewire Audiophile.
Haven't tested the analog out of the U24 though.

If I was to rank the different setup, it would be:
1) PC - Foobar (Asio) - U24 - Stax Dac - PM15S1 - Met 7.7
2) Micromega Premium DVD2 - Stax Dac - PM15S1 - Met 7.7
3) Micromega Premium DVD2 - PM15S1 - Met 7.7
4) PC - Foobar (Asio) - M Audio - Stax Dac - PM15S1 - Met 7.7
5) PC - Foobar (Asio) - M Audio - PM15S1 - Met 7.7

More listening is needed to "rank" option 1) and 2), but it's so nice to hear a huge playlist without having to change CDs or sacrificing sound quality.

Anyone wants to buy a M Audio? :)