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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
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,229 posts
 
Historically, Firewire was the dominant format in pro audio equipment. When pro audio went personal computer based the Apple Macintosh/Digidesign ProTools was the dominate platform, and Firewire became the interface of choice. Since pro audio applications required working with far more than 2 channels of audio at a time, Firewire's speed advantage over USB was important. The current prevalence of USB interfaces for home computers isn't a reflection of any technical advantage, but due to the fact that the overwhelming majority of home computers are non-Macintosh and don't come equipped with Firewire ports.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
I'm sure that's a factor, but several of the respondents in that PFO piece argue that there are other reasons why USB is the better choice, including some technical reasons. Regardless, it appears that good ol' Ethernet may be the dark horse in this race.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,229 posts
 
With so many different versions of the Windows operating system it's cumbersome for small manufacturers to implement the software drivers needed for firewire. I'm not saying one is better or worse than the other, but simply that USB is the dominant format for consumer computers, so if you want to sell audio interfaces, you'd better target the USB market. BTW, the PFO article is a great piece with lots of info.
danmyers
135 posts
 
"good ol' Ethernet may be the dark horse"

Ethernet has beat out every other technically superior network protocol in the world because... it's dirt cheap to implement. For world markets it's not so much about building a better mousetrap as building a mousetrap that's good enough and doesn't cost very much.
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