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Best Sounding 2 Channel Sound Card

Its times like this that one realizes how limited their PC knowledge really is. I've been reading sound card reviews for about an hour and am no closer to knowing which one is best for my purposes. I have over 15,000 MP3 files on my PC, most recorded above 190. I want to connect my PC to my main stereo (McIntosh C2200 tube preamp, Mac MC352 SS amp and Merlin VSM-M speakers).
Looking to get the best sound practical without spending a fortune. Mostly just use it for 2 channel playback. Some recording, but not much. Is the Soundblaster Audiology II Platinum pretty good or should I go for something more exotic? Most the more expensive units seem to focus on recording. Thanks in advance... Jim
slhijb
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,475 posts
 
The RME & M-Audio are great soundcards, but I have to agree with Chelentano on this one.

I decided to go with a Xitel Pro HiFi-Link, glad I did.
I upgraded the USB Cable to a Monster Ultimate Hi-Speed 2.0

The Digital Coax cable is *temporarily upgraded* to an Acoustic Research Performance Series going to the Coax input of my tubed Dac.

The sound, depending on streaming quality, is pretty darn close to my transport at times.
jazzdude
332 posts
 
For the best sound get a good proaudio card like by RME, Lynx or Digital Audio Labs. Use the digital output to connect to an external DAC. My card is the DAL CardDeluxe and it supports toslink, RCA coax, and AES/EBU via a TRS adapter. Other cards support USB digital output which I hear is very good, but I have no experience with it.

Don't think that you are just going to add a sound card to a PC and get great PC Audio. You need to be concerned with power supplies, power conditioning, digital cables, external DAC, and the actual OS configuration tweaking of the PC.
audioodyssey
18 posts
 
The RME Digi 96 PAD is a nice sounding card (the DSP 9632 is better, but abour 2X the cost).

The Apogee Mini DAC (external with USB input) sounds great for $1100.
etherium
1 posts
 
LynxTwo, end of story.
mig007
116 posts
 
For nonstudio use of a computer, even putting in a sound card is a waste of money. As good as some of the cards listed above are, the only logical choice is to use the spdif from the motherboard. All you need is an output for the digital signal. Good soundcards are required for mixing, and even not then. The real question is: if you're not going to connect the computer to the regular system, then what type of speakers would be the best. The newer computer speakers, or possibly nearfield speakers that are bi amped. So, anyone have suggestions or experience with near field speakers?
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