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First Steps into Computer Audio


Hi

I have shifted from traditional rig (first Vandy HT system w/ Arcam receiver, to Acoustat 2+2 with Belles 400 amp), to computer audio.

My main system is a desktop Dell Dimension P4 system, that has a SB Audigy 2 card. Will be listening to lots of classical, jazz, etc, as well as movies. Room is a very small 8 by 5 or 8 by 6 room

I just bought Audioengine A5's with the 25% off coupon, and likely will also buy some Quad 11L's to compare and sell the one I don't like as much.

So chain will be P4 w/ SB audigy 2 to A5 or Quad 11L (I assume the Quad 11L will be way better but will review and let folks know).

Now the question is what next to improve sound (and I will of course wait to do my next upgrade but already planning as most everyone says Audigy 2 is not very good.

I don't need a headphone amp (ok if it comes with) as 95% or more of listening will be done with speakers so I guess I could

1. Buy a better soundcard to output analog to speakers (say Chaintech low end, or 1212M higher end, or Xonar STX not sure my mobo is PCI E)

2. Use a USB dac from the usb ports, and feed speakers

3. Use the CB Audigy 2 digital out (SPDIF) to a DAC, or use the better sound card's digital out to the DAC to speakers.

I think would want very good SQ, but also keep price relatively reasonable.

Thoughts? Opinions welcome

Shriram
shriramosu
blindjim
3,092 posts
 

go outside of the PC tower with your card at least.

Past that a better driver for it will help. many USB sound cards will also have updates on their websites even though you just bought the thing new... so do look there too if you go USB sound card.

Past that... an independant USB DAC/Sound card driver like the german version sold for $70 or so will really help too.

A DAC with USB if money permits is also a thought.

In any case... DAC or Card... the better, the better. Apogee & Lavry make some nice units for under a grand with lots of flexibility and fine support.
drumsgreg's avatar
drumsgreg
154 posts
 
you can also look at the USB Dac from Blue Circle called the Thingee, sound very good for 160.00.
Greg
tok20000's avatar
tok20000
608 posts
 
I have been into computer audio for over 6 years.
It all depends how much you want to spend.
If you want serious killer sound, get Empirical Audio's Off Ramp Turbo. This device makes all the sound of the computer come out of USB and it reclocks all of it removing most of the jitter and outputs it through a short RCA cable, so you can use any DAC with it. I would recommend getting a DAC that can process 24/96 as this setup will allow you to output 24/96 (which sounds freakin amazing) through the USB port. The Off Ramp Turbo runs $1k new, but it is worth every penny. They do pop up for less here occasionally.

Keith
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
Fire Wire.
USB is for printers.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Tok2000 - I haven't seen your posts here in ages! My friend has been working with Steve on getting his PaceCar and Northstar modified DAC to work out for him. His been mightily impressed by the Pacecar in demo. Seems like beyond the budget of what the poster is talking about, but de-jitter is certainly a good idea. There's also Genesis Digital Lens, and Monarchy's solutions, which are more frequently on the used market at reasonable prices. Don't know how they might compare.

USB is for printers?! Can you elaborate on that comment? I don't know that it's as much a matter of of the computer side interface since even USB 1.1 is plenty fast to stream music, but I think the DAC side makes a more significant difference. Those solutions like Empirical's, which go straight to I2S rather than convert from S/PDIF would be the direction I'd go. Again, you'd be breaking what I only anticipate might be your budget, but another good choice might be Red Wine Audio's Isabellina DAC (USB>I2S). I heard that NOS DAC at CES recently and it sounded great! Just a stream of thoughts....
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