2. pc-audio
  3. 1305888478

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
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Sandstone

"I've also experienced the dreaded "15 - album" display from a single album rip or download...."

Say what? I'm clueless on that item!

Good to hear about the DbPower amp bit though, I'd not get that fancy though. rip it to the pc HDD, then copy it to the NAS drive, and one static USB HDD, that just sits around and sleeps... I call it Ripped INA New-Wrinkle.

Presently, I'm not clear enough yet to make a good call on anything pricey. So I've time to investigate a few minor irritating concerns audiowise. The new fortifications have re-directed my current energies and resources, and absorbed my previous 'new amp' funding... for a time.

But the Power amp ought to be fun to investigate... if it's not aimed at IP Engineers only.
sandstone
358 posts
 
"Say what?"
Not too terrible in the grand scheme, but a couple of times when HDTracks download stream was slow, I'd return to find that a single-album download was stored with each song in individual folders. I combined songs into a single file folder structure, but still showed up in JRiver as 7 or 8 Herbie Hancock "River" albums, one or two songs each, never (yet) to be merged again.

I like your archive scheme, esp. its designation - just hope it wakes up sooner than each 20 yrs.

I found the dbpoweramp app to be intuitive enough to install and operate without more than a few moments in the help file. This is certainly true if not using batch modes.
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Sandstone , Thanks...

I went ahead today and installed the trial version of Dbpower. Cool! Loads of functionality! Too bad it's multi components. Seems to me anyone who wants in on any part of that ripping process will likely want in on burning, or conversion. ripping is about all I'm into actually.

No real need to convert. JR or Fubar play all I own now anyhow. And why convert?

Will Db not compile a CD if the tracks to be burned aren't all the same extension/kind? Now, for an app like this, that will suck a lot.

I'm a sticking with FLAC, and so far both CDs I ripped this A.M. into FLAC '0' rating... were both approved for accurip offset config, and sound better than the rips of them I did with JR MC 15 using the exact same drive (s). A Concord release of Ray Charles "Genius-A collection of hits", and a Tribute to June Carter CD called Anchored in Love w/various artists.

that JC Tribute CD gave me fits using JR MC 15! It placed the singer and track info together. It also creates a "Various Artists" folder, which is superior to a dozen artists folders from only one CD. Dbpower did the same Various Artists folder, yet separated all of the tags better... as it shows up in JRMC15 spot on now... and again... sounds noticeably improved upon... Gotta give that Delete key some action now, and dbpower much gratitude!

If you re-read the Stereophile article on that sound card/DAC run off, lemme know which ones were the top 3, please.

PS... did you download the DSP plug in too? Shheeeesh, is that loaded or what!?

I'm thinking I'm gonna dig this software a lot... but hate going back and re-ripping CDs though! Oil well.
sandstone
358 posts
 
Hi BJim,
Glad that you had such good results with DbPower. It looks like almost all features are available for a one-time price of $38, including conversions, so likely will go this route.
Why convert? hmmmm... maybe if I have .wav files that I need to relocate on a different server, I would need to convertfirst in order to retain metadata. or if I download from a site that doesn't support flac, I might convert after the download. Or, maybe to rip cd's as you mentioned. No big deal, just another arrow in the quiver.

Thanks for the two album tips, just added them to my "get" list.

I had a similar experience with tag management using JRiver vs. dBPowerAmp.

Thanks for mentioning the the DSP functions that I had overlooked. Yes it looks powerful. I have some HDCD's and for me, that ripping applet in DSP alone makes it worth uploading.

Oops! The soundcard comparo is in TAS, not Stereophile! I don't subscribe, but they were handing out free advance copies at THE Show last Saturday.
The article ends up raving about the ESI Julia (esi-audio.com), as the "first computer component to forsake computer artifacts" And it is priced at only $200. Other than the M-audio (m-audio.com, $200),, all of the other sound cards reviewed are priced at $400 - $700.
Hope this helps, let me know if I can dig out more for you.

Keep on ripping!
sandstone
358 posts
 
Oh - Two more things I have to mention - If you haven't done so, be sure to check out:

- In JRiver, run Theater View/Audio/Playing Now, and watch the software glean a slideshow of images from the internet that are related to the album, genre, artist, and composer.
All while you're listening to the audio.

- Google logo for Wed, June 8, commemorating Les Paul.
More to discover