2. pc-audio
  3. 1249820733

Please provid guidance on PC Sound Configuration

I have bitten-off on a new PC that is purposely a Photography-first machine, but I've tried to configure it in a way that will support at least a glimpse of HTPC capability.

Specs:
Intel i7-920 Quad Core Processor (2.66 GHz)
8GB RAM
1 TB HD
Creative Sound Blaster Titanium Sound Card (24-bit, 96kHz output to 7.1)
1 GB ATI Radeon HD 4650 Video Card (DVI, HDMI, VGA)

Please give me some guidance on how to best set this up. Anyone with specific soundcard experience would be tremendously helpful.

Thanks,

Mark
mwilliford
johnss
570 posts
 
I would suggest you opt for the LynxStudio audio card ; PCI or PCIe. It has all the pro and consumer digital outputs on it, and will also convert D to A itself. for a DAC, Look at the berkeley audio DAC or the new Bryston.

Both will do Redbook CD as well as high res. tracks you may download in the future.

When you rip your CDs stick with WAV, dont use any CODECs. Even Flac can cause issues with some decoders.

best
blackstonejd
153 posts
 
If you are using X-Fi Titanium, in the Creative Control Panel, set mode to recording, enable bit-perfect playback, disable any XMS3D surround settings, make sure speakers are set to speakers even if you are using headphones.

If you play games, you will want to return to game mode before you launch your games or you will be missing EAX effects.
mwilliford OP
12 posts
 
Thank you for the additional information. So far, I must say that the Titanium card...even without setting to bit-perfect...holds a slight advantage over the DA conversion being perfomed by my old NAD T770 (single 16-bit Burr-Brown). The resolution is finer in symbols and "S" sounds...at least that's what I'me hearing. The convenience factor is nice as well.

Now having issues with Blu-Ray Playback in this so-called Blu-Ray ready PC. We'll get there...

Mark
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