Computer audio does not have to suck!!

[mistersprinkles]

Hey folks,

I don't post here much, but I did some research that led to some purchase decisions that I wanted to share with you guys. I have recently started using an external DAC with my computer with 5" monitor speakers. It sounds very very good.

What's a DAC? It's a Digital-Analog-Converter. It takes the digital signal from your PC via SPDIF or USB and converts it to an analog signal for your speakers or headphones. Why an external DAC instead of integrated audio or a sound card? External DACs aren't operating in the electrically noisy environment inside your PC, so you get much better signal clarity. Also, external DACs tend to use higher quality components.

I'm using an ARCAM rPAC external DAC via USB with Presonus Eris 4.5 studio monitors and I'm using Audioquest Evergreen RCA cables.

Comparatively, I used to have an ASUS Xonar soundcard ($200) with Klipsch iFi speakers ($350) and high end cables ($150) for a total of $700.

Now I'm using the rPAC ($300) with the speakers ($220) and the cable ($30) for a total of $550 and it sounds BETTER.

Some good DACs to check out are anything from Schiit, Arcam, and Audioquest. A great entry level DAC for $150 that gives a great, lively performance, is the Audioquest Dragonfly. It's tiny size makes it ideal for laptops.

[Boots]

You know your talking over the heads of most people including me. ;) This would be the point of the conversation where my wife would look over and go "geek, geek". :)

How long have you been an audiophile? I really could have used your help when I was trying to wire my home for sound.

Jason

[mistersprinkles]

haha. Audiophile. Audiophiles are people with a lot of money who can afford $100 000 stereos that look like this

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/sites/18/images/article_images_month/2012-02/hcc196_bw_8001.jpg

^Interesting note- those are the best speakers in the world. The tweeter is made out of pure diamond which is artificially grown to that exact shape in a lab.

Anyways, I'm somewhere between lower class and lower-middle class. So the most I can afford to spend on an audio setup at any given time, after some saving up, is about $1000. I've never been able to afford a system I am truly happy with. There are always some flaws in the sound that bother me.

I've been an "Audio enjoyer" (not an audiophile) my whole life. I got seriously interested in Audio around 2002 and have been buying halfway decent stuff ever since.

I hope what I said didn't go over anybody's head. That wasn't my intention. I'm just trying to say- if you want better sound out of your PC, don't buy a soundcard, buy a DAC. And it doesn't have to be expensive. The Audioquest Dragonfly is $150. A decent soundcard is $100-200 so it's really not bad.

Also, speakers- computer speakers suck. Hard. Even the good ones like Corsair's SP2500 and Klipsch's Promedia are garbage. For the same price you can get a pair of powered studio monitors like Presonus Eris 4.5 or Tannoy Reveal 402's and blow away those computer speakers.

[trailblazer295]

I did a lot of research when i bought my TV surround sound system. Admittedly a lot of the audio specs still go over my head but I'm happy with the system i bought. Ended up buying PSB Alpha series 5.1 and upgrading the fronts to T1 towers. I'm intrigued on improving my laptop sound though.

[mistersprinkles]

Wow PSB alphas. Nice. That's good stuff. What do you have them hooked up to?
ya if you want to improve your laptop's sound I'd suggest a pair of powered monitors and maybe an Audioquest Dragonfly. It's very portable that way and it's great for headphones too. Look at Tannoy Reveal 402 or 502 active studio monitors. Don't use the included cables, they are crap. Buy yourself some proper 3.5mm>3.5mm cables (shortest runs possible) by someone that doesn't suck like Audioquest. No need to go nuts. $30 cables are fine. You will need 2 3.5mm>3.5mm cables. And 2 power outlets.

[trailblazer295]

On the advice of guys on a home theater forum I was testing various sets at a store kef, klipsich etc. I liked the sound of the PSB the best, sounded more natural and less processed. The guy helping me is a self admitted audiophile and he asked me what I liked better after testing half a dozen sets, some double the price what I was looking for but he didn't tell me which one he likes until after I told him. He liked the PSBs better as well. It's also nice that it's a Canadian company.

I have the speakers hooked up to an Onkyo tx-nr525 and a 50" LG plasma 50PM6700. I've never used the 3d feature just the colour on skin tone was better then the 2d version. Alone the 2d isn't to bad my dad bought one but side by side I could see the difference.

I have a brand new still in the box alpha satellite speakers that came with the 5.1 set. It was cheaper to buy the set and then buy the towers after then to buy the sub, center, 2 satellites and the towers separately. I haven't figured out what to do with them. Is there a way to use a DAC and these speakers? Do you need any special software or components to make those DACs work?

[mistersprinkles]

The back of those satellites looks like this right?

http://www.psbspeakers.com/img/img.php?110609134652-Alpha-LR_back.jpg/900

You would need an amp to power these as they are not self powered. You could get a DAC/AMP combo but already you are starting to look at an uncomfortable amount of money.

Also, most rear channel satallites are not full range speakers. Often they work in something like 120Hz to 20Khz. With stand alone speakers you want a full frequency range down to at least 60Hz or your audio will lack low-end and sound washed out.

Find out what the response range is on those speakers and if it goes down to 60 or even 70Hz you can use them alone, but consider the cost of the amp. A DAC with a headphone AMP wont work. You want an AMP that can output as many watts per channel as the satellites are rated for, which you will also have to find out.

It may be easier to just buy a pair of monitors for your computer and pick up a decent DAC.

[Albert Clark]

Thanks......

[mistersprinkles]

Thanks......

Why the sarcasm, guy? :wacky: