setting up computer for pure sound???

ranmart · « **on:** 16 Jul 2003, 02:51 am »

Upgraded my computer for better sound.do you guys know what the best cd players, sound cards ,spekers,players etc are for getting the most out of the computers sound.Thanks in advance

bob82274 · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 03:03 am »

Well there are some motherboards out there that have integrated sound using tubes. Don't know if you want to go that road.

For something a little more traditional you could go with a card from M-Audio. They produce some good stuff.

Scott F. · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 03:44 am »

Quote from: ranmart

Upgraded my computer for better sound.do you guys know what the best cd players, sound cards ,spekers,players etc are for getting the most out of the computers sound.Thanks in advance

I can absolutely recommend the Monsoon Audio PM-14. I just bought this for my computor at the office. After it breaks in, it kicks ass bigtime. I paid all of $119 at CompUSA for these. The sound is clean, crisp, bass is really good for a little sub. This thing even has a soundstage (I hooked up my Arcam 8se just to see).

One of these days I'm going to do a proper review on it over at the site. These little speakers are extremely hard to beat for for the money.

Heres the link to their website.

http://www.monsoonpower.com/index_mmedia.htm

Chops · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 04:03 am »

I have a web/file/music server in my bedroom along with my main computer. However, out in my music room, I have a dedicated computer just for movies and music. In that computer I'm using a Sound Blaster® Audigy™ 2 Platinum sound card with a breakout box. That sound card is capable of 6.1 Dolby Digital EX playback along with DVD-Audio at 24-bit/192kHz resolution and 106dB s/n ratio. I can use the 6-channel analog outputs or the Fiber Optic.

I think it's the best for the money at $170. Check out the link below.

http://www.americas.creative.com/products/category.asp?category=461&maincategory=461

vpolineni · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 05:12 am »

chops,
definetly look at stereolink. it connects via usb so it doesn't have to deal with all of the noise and associated issues with a pci slot inside the computer. it blows away my soundblaster audigy 2 card which it replaced.
www.stereo-link.com

vpolineni · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 05:13 am »

sorry, i meant ranmart-not chops.

Carlman · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 02:56 pm »

Quote from: vpolineni

chops,
definetly look at stereolink. it connects via usb so it doesn't have to deal with all of the noise and associated issues with a pci slot inside the computer. it blows away my soundblaster audigy 2 card which it replaced.
www.stereo-link.com

It's too bad this isn't a 2-way device... I'd have a great record to CD converter...

I called and asked but, it'll be next year before that kind of product is available from them.

Stereo link looks like a good product at a reasonable price.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 03:12 pm »

For speakers I can happily recommend the Aego 2. It's a sat/sub setup.

JackStraw · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 05:23 pm »

MB from nOrh said that they were working on a computer speaker system. He went so far as to include pictures in his April News post (see http://www.norh.com/news/0403/index.html). I bet that they'll be very good, but who knows when they'll be available...

flintstone · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Jul 2003, 11:23 pm »

I've had the stereo-link in my system for a couple of years, it's not bad sounding unit at all, there are other usb based dac's out there also but I have not listened to them. One is called HiFi Link-Pro, this one also does DD/DTS pass as it has analog and digital outs. One of the big PC soundcard company's also has a new one out that has inputs and outputs, can't recall which company at the moment but if you do a Google search for: usb soundcards or usb dac's you should find it.

shokunin · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Jul 2003, 04:57 am »

The LynxTwo and RME Digi9632 or other RME Hammerfall series are good cards. Neither are particularly cheap, with the Lynx being quite expensive. However, if you're playing back MP3's then something like a M-Audio revolution or a soundcard with SPDIF out to an external DAC like an Art Di/O would work great + preamp + amp would be killer.

Chops · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Jul 2003, 04:27 am »

Well, considering that the Audigy 2 Platinum was given to me for reinstalling Windows XP on a client's PC, I'm not going to complain. It sounds a heck of a lot better than your normal sound cards, and the way most of those movies and MP3s sound anyway, I'm not going to worry about it.

witchdoctor · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Jul 2003, 09:11 pm »

I use the set up Shokunin describes in my home theater. A PC is used as my transport loaded with Music Match Jukebox as to play my MP3's.
A critical upgrade is to purchase a plug in called DFX. This makes MP3 sound better than CD in my system. The M Audiophile soundcard digital out goes into a GW Labs upsampler and then to a Bolder Cable Mensa Dac. It sounds great!

shokunin · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Jul 2003, 05:05 am »

Quote from: witchdoctor

The M Audiophile soundcard digital out goes into a GW Labs upsampler and then to a Bolder Cable Mensa Dac. It sounds great!

Are you feeding the Mensa DAC at 96khz? Just curious, as I thought wayne had recommended to only feed it 44.1 or maybe I'm confusing exactly what the GW labs upsampler is doing.

Oh nice setup with the PC.

JackStraw · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Jul 2003, 10:35 am »

Quote from: witchdoctor

I use the set up Shokunin describes in my home theater. A PC is used as my transport loaded with Music Match Jukebox as to play my MP3's.
A critical upgrade is to purchase a plug in called DFX. This makes MP3 sound better than CD in my system. The M Audiophile soundcard digital out goes into a GW Labs upsampler and then to a Bolder Cable Mensa Dac. It sounds great!

I've got to check this out. Just to clarify, this is a playback plugin, not a ripping plugin, right? So, it will enhance MP3s that I've already ripped? Can you use it to enhance playback of "lossless" files like SHN and FLAC?

By the way, what are you using to make MP3s? Did you experiment with MP3 bit rate to optimize file size vs. quality? Where did you end up?

Thanks for the info.

8thnerve · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Jul 2003, 09:19 pm »

I just saw a Harmon Kardon USB->PCM converter at Comp USA for $39. THis unit used to reatil for $150 if I remember correctly. Apparently you just plug it into USB and it outputs digital PCM/S/PDIF via RCA out for your favorite DAC or processor. Worth checking out at that price...

witchdoctor · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Jul 2003, 12:25 am »

Shokunin,
Although Wayne does reccomend 44.1 my room responds better to 96K
that I feed it from the GW. I set the Mensa to accept 96k and have no problems of accepting the signal. To my ears the highs are more airy ,the bass is more full without bloating, and vocals are more lifelike.I got the PC
( RKR Cassini) from digitalconnections.com for around the price of around $2000.It records HD, works as a line doubler converting the cable feed for TV and VHS also. It fits right in my rack like a component would.

Jackstraw,
This is a playback plug in. It works with several players in addition to mine. Check out their site for more info.It will phenomenally enhance MP3's you have already ripped if you use it properly. I turn off the ambience,3D, and hyperbass adjustments and just use the other two.
Read vendor Bill Laurents opinion of the sound of my setup in the Eighth Nerve room.
I use Musicmatch to rip MP3's at 360 mb. It sounds just a hair better than 160 mb to me. I prefer not to use the most popular 128 mb. If a player DFX plugs into can play SHN and FLAC it will work. They must be compatible with your plug ins player.
Thanks

JackStraw · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Jul 2003, 12:42 pm »

Thanks for the info on your DFX settings. I had browsed through their web site, and I've got to say that they could present the basic information a little more clearly. But, with a free demo I'll just give it a try.

Also, I think that the link that you offered for your HTPC source is wrong. Try http://www.digitalconnection.com/ instead. Cool looking computers, that's for sure.

JackStraw · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Jul 2003, 01:28 am »

I tried DFX, and liked it. See some comments here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=3853&start=10