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
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Cerrot - Interesting that you believe the first Berkeley USB interface design overcomes USB's "inferiority", given that you have not even heard one yet. Berkeley approached me to do their USB interface so I quoted them on it. I have designed 3 generations of USB interfaces. Evidently I was too expensive for them.

If USB is so "inferior", I wonder how Golden Ear awards were awarded and Best sound of Show at 2010 RMAF to USB-based systems??

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
Steve,

USB was neber designed for audio. That's a basic premis. Data is transmitted in packets - not good for an audio signal. USB is just another example of trying to make ther best out of something not very good.

I have not heard the Berkeley, but know people who I trust who have heard it, thus it is on mny short list.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Cerrot - Your opinion I believe is based on a lot of misinformation that you have read on the forums. Ethernet for instance is a really good transfer medium for audio precisely because it's packetized. It also has retry, which USB and Firewire do not have. The only issue is network bandwidth hogging, since audio cannot get priority.

USB and Firewire actually have the hogging think pretty much licked because they are isochronous, unless the system runs out of I/O resources. So there are advantages to Ethernet and advantages to USB and Firewire.

Modern audio streams are not really streams. They are bursts of packets that are buffered at the end node and then streamed locally using a master clock. This is a superior way of doing audio playback which can result in very low jitter (depending on the parts choices, design and implementation).

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
Steve, My opinion is NOT based on misinformation that I have read on forums. I am a hard core PC user, have 30 years experience and have custom built over 30 machines - all cutting edge. I ahve also been an audiophile for that many years and have learned how to listen. I have also been experimenting indepth for many years with PC audio interfaces. You can keep USB. I will use USB for my mouse and keyboard.

I do agree with ethernet being an excellent platform. I had predicted about about 5 years ago that within 10 years, ethernet would be the standard. I do believe we will see it.

USB, however, sucks. I think your company makes a decent run at it but it is still, lets say, lipstick on a pig.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
If USB is so bad, then why would TAS reviewer use it as his digital reference? How could it possibly get best sound of show at RMAF 2010? Golden Ear award?

IMO you have just been listening to the wrong USB interfaces.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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