2. pc-audio
  3. 1232064736

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
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,274 posts
 
I've been studying computer audio intensively for several months and have found nothing to substantiate Cerrot's claims. Respectfully, I think you are wrong, buddy.

However, inexpensive USB audio sucks, in my experience. If you have a good system, products like the Keces, HagUsb, and the USB input on many otherwise good DACs are complete non-starters compared to playing a CD via a transport.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
However, inexpensive USB audio sucks, in my experience. If you have a good system, products like the Keces, HagUsb, and the USB input on many otherwise good DACs are complete non-starters compared to playing a CD via a transport.

I tried the HAGUSB briefly and did not like it at all. That was many years ago - Perhaps they've improved it. The USB input on the MHDT DAC was good in my system and would easily compete with many of the standalone players I've owned. I would not consider it expensive at around $600 new. The current Modwright Transporter I use (via wireless, NOT usb) without any doubt at all exceeds any transport I've used via wireless connection to my music library two floors below in my basement. Using a transport into the DAC of the Modwright Transporter it is marginally better. Disclaimer: Modwright is one of my clients. The Benchmark USB DAC, though I ultimately did not like it for the same reasons I didn't like it via a transport, did not give up much via USB. I've heard the same USB Benchmark in a few rooms at both RMAF, CES and THE Show sounding quite good (contrary to my own experiments with it). Red Wine Audio's Isabellina DAC was sounding great via USB. Maybe I'm misinterpreting your intent, but it seems like it's a broad and sweeping statement you've made for having studied for "several months". Does that mean you've tried out many different USB DACs - if so, which ones? I guess I'd say my impressions are different (obviously) and I've been using computer audio for several years rather than months (and did not always favor it). I would agree that some of the cheap USB devices have the potential to be poor performers as does any cheaply built/designed component. No surprises there. I think the potential of PC Audio in general could easily exceed the performance of a CD transport. Check out the recent article on the high-rez formats and the Berkley Alpha DAC - I think in TAS...maybe January...or was it Decemeber? I'd suggest you give it a better chance as there is great potential there.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,274 posts
 
I hear what you are saying, but my experience has been disappointing and I've tried quite a few things. I'd love to hear your "Modwright Transporter I use (via wireless, NOT usb) without any doubt at all exceeds any transport I've used." I've tried the USB input on the Bel Canto DAC3 and Toslink out to a Benchmark, an Audio note and a Lavry. Will try the USB on the Bryston this weekend.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
So each of those four DACs you've tried left you with a strong preference for a standalone player, and not liking USB DACs in general (I'm not sure I'm interpreting you correctly in that - forgive me if not)? Of those you noted I've only heard the Benchmark, which, as I mentioned, I did not like (found the highs ever strident - but same via a transport), so I could understand your not liking it. I've also heard the Bel Canto, though not in my system. The Bel Canto sounded great in the TAD room at RMAF '07 fwiw and to my ears, and again at CES recently in the Bel Canto room. I've not heard the other two. You sure seem to have liked the Ultra-fi iRoc USB DAC. From your ad:

Honestly, I would call it the most musical component I can remember owning -- by which I mean that it extracts the musical line in a compelling fashion from everything you play.

If you're ever up in the Seattle area you'd be most welcome to come over and hear the TP in my modest system. Ping me through A'gon for my contact info.
mmarvin19
157 posts
 
For the last several months I have been reading this Forum as well as a number of other PC audio forums. I could be wrong, but the consensus seems to be that the best PC to DAC connections are as follows (in descending order);
1. I2S
2. Firewire
3. USB ala something on the order of Empirical, Wavelenght, Weiss, et. al.
4. USB into an affordable DAC
5. coax or optical from internal soundcard to DAC

But, there are other considerations. Downloading one of the free media players, like Foobar, Media Monkey or JRiver Jukebox. And for Windows XP, downloading the free ASIO4ALL driver to avoid the Windows KMixer.
More to discover