2. pc-audio
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Help me build a fine PC sound system


I’m looking for current suggestions to a great sounding desktop audio outfit which is pc driven or based completely.
!
Currently I’m using a Creative labs $50 USB sound card, and an Altec Lansing 2.1 desktop speaker system $200..

It really isn’t bad, and loads of fun. It allows me to play back lots of files & CDs I probably would not play too often on my main stereo.

So… I'm looking for recommendations of USB sound cards and a 2.1 speaker setup. Prefferably with both mechanical and software vol control, which will noticeably improve upon the aforementioned gear..

Noticeably.

What are your picks for:

USB sound card
2.1 speakers
2.0 speakers
Subwoofer

…… that will sound better than my above listed stuff? Actually it’s OK, but playing a setup disc it is easy to perceive how many areas of the bandwidth simply aren’t being honestly reproduced… but that’s about the only way to really highlight it’s shortcomings. Otherwise.. it’s well, fun…. And inexpensive.

Mainly the focus is for PC but if it will work with Macs too, that's great!. If it can integrate into a preamp or receiver or DAC too, that would be very nice, but not an absolutely necessary option.

Remember, the idea is a stand alone very, very nice sounding PC sound system first! It should be capable too of replaying file types from 16/44 to 24/192.

Do try to make the rig as inexpensive as is possible, so some reasonable and thoughtful blend of value to performance should be the real guideline.

I’m thinking too, as full range as is possible and likely a sub needs be in the mix… but nothing nutso.

Over achieving and high value items, front and center!

This might be fun…. Wadaya think?

Many thanks!
blindjim
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"I’ve tried a few of the converters. USB to SPDIF or USB to BNC… they’re ok.. but IMHO, if you want to lessen jitter…. Improve performance… and increase resolution and detail in order to gain greater presence and get closer to the recordings attributes I’d say decreasing the juncture thru which the signal travels is key.
Take the signal off the bus, not off the USB. USB buses share thruput and chatter from mouse, keyboard, maybe even the PC’s speakers? It’s a minor item but I just prefer not to use the USB interface… for now."

I doubt if you have used a decent async USB converter with a good clock. This makes all the difference. Some of these have won Golden Ear awards, as well as taking best of show at RMAF. It's like trying a few cheap phono stylus and concluding that vinyl is a lost cause. Just more misinformation being broadcast on the web IMO.

Also, I dont understand your comment about my "confusing products", and the name is Empirical Audio, not Imperical. I make USB DACs and USB converters just like other companies. I offer upgrade clocks unlike other companies. Why is this confusing????

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I just made some sweet changes on my PC rig. I just ordered the ESI Juli@ but, in the interim... I reinstalled the Sigma Tel Audio which is on the motherboard. I never knew it was capable of 192/24. I got rid of the MAudio firewire/spdif converter and replaced the MF XDac V3 with a Benchmark Dac. The benchmark is driven directly off the board via spdif. I must say, the improvement in sound is excellent. I am enjoying some nice hires recordings. (The Maudio maxed at 96k). I should have the Juli@ by the end of the week.
sevendust32000's avatar
sevendust32000
5 posts
 
I know there are people who think usb audio has its limitations ,but there are no such limitations of USB interfaces. I have owned the m2tech hiface & evo & few other reclockers like the monarchy dip & was never happy until i bought the empirical audio offramp4. It was the last piece of gear i tried because of me being cheap, well my mom use to say buy cheap get cheap & thats the sound i got until i bought the empirical audio offramp4. You will never know the true sound of the rest of your components until you get the best possible source. I run a mac mini
into the offramp4 via usb & run spdif out of the offramp into the wyred4sound dac2 & am simply amazed & neither dac nor the offramp are even broken in!
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I am a firm believer that USB sucks and was just never intended for audio. The new Berkeley appears to be the first to finally get around USB's technical inferiority. I look forward to a listen of a mac mini and the berkeley USB interface.
sevendust32000's avatar
sevendust32000
5 posts
 
I guarantee the offramp4 will floor you when used with
a good dac. I spent years searching & tried alot of gear & spent alot of money & finally tried the offramp4. i would bet money the berkeley dac would sound much better being fed from the offramp4 vs going straight into the berkeley.
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