Computer questions
Vuroth
Posts: 16
Current setup:
PC running onboard audio (Asus P8P67, so Realtek? ALC 892)
Sony MDR-V600s (~15 years old) into the headphone jack.
Music format: mp3, m4a, some itunes
Audio streamed to PS3, which plays out to TV, then to mid-80s Sherwood stereo receiver, to my beloved Polk TSI100s.
The story:
What started out as a "let's surf the web and see what I can do to get a more audiophile experience gaming and listening to music on my PC" has left my head spinning. DACs, headphone amps, blah. I'm a bit overwhelmed.
My first question is simple - is there a solid faq/bible/guide to getting a decent audiophile experience on my pc? Google is not helping me overmuch.
Starting with the PC/Headphone setup: I do a fair bit of gaming, but due to wanting to stay married it's mostly over the headphones. I started out my search wondering if I should modernize my Sony MDR-V600s. I've really loved them, but the foam is pretty weak now, the covering is all gone, and the comfort level is so-so. Plus, my kids keep borrowing them, which is an excuse to upgrade, right?
Music listening on the PC is occasional, but it does happen. I have the free time to rerip my CD collection into a better format right now. What format, and what tools would I need on Win7? Bear in mind I use this PC as a server to the PS3, and yes, I would love to have a squeezebox or sonos someday.
I do occasionally skype/teamspeak/vent during games, so I started looking at the Sennheiser PC330/360 and such. I could just as easily go for a dedicated headset and a webcam microphone, though. If anyone has experience with gaming headsets vs audiophile headphones, I'd love some input.
Between the PC and the headphones, what would make an impact? Should I look at a USB DAC? A headphone amp? Both? Something more exotic?
Budget
After my recent layoff, things are up in the air. I'm more looking to read up than buy right now, but having a solid knowledge of budget and price tradeoffs can't hurt. When I land a new job, and I'm hoping it's soon, I plan to treat myself to something audio - whether a surround system, car audio, or pc audio is uncertain, but honestly, I use the PC audio the most, so there may be money to spend there. Soon. I hope.
PC running onboard audio (Asus P8P67, so Realtek? ALC 892)
Sony MDR-V600s (~15 years old) into the headphone jack.
Music format: mp3, m4a, some itunes
Audio streamed to PS3, which plays out to TV, then to mid-80s Sherwood stereo receiver, to my beloved Polk TSI100s.
The story:
What started out as a "let's surf the web and see what I can do to get a more audiophile experience gaming and listening to music on my PC" has left my head spinning. DACs, headphone amps, blah. I'm a bit overwhelmed.
My first question is simple - is there a solid faq/bible/guide to getting a decent audiophile experience on my pc? Google is not helping me overmuch.
Starting with the PC/Headphone setup: I do a fair bit of gaming, but due to wanting to stay married it's mostly over the headphones. I started out my search wondering if I should modernize my Sony MDR-V600s. I've really loved them, but the foam is pretty weak now, the covering is all gone, and the comfort level is so-so. Plus, my kids keep borrowing them, which is an excuse to upgrade, right?
Music listening on the PC is occasional, but it does happen. I have the free time to rerip my CD collection into a better format right now. What format, and what tools would I need on Win7? Bear in mind I use this PC as a server to the PS3, and yes, I would love to have a squeezebox or sonos someday.
I do occasionally skype/teamspeak/vent during games, so I started looking at the Sennheiser PC330/360 and such. I could just as easily go for a dedicated headset and a webcam microphone, though. If anyone has experience with gaming headsets vs audiophile headphones, I'd love some input.
Between the PC and the headphones, what would make an impact? Should I look at a USB DAC? A headphone amp? Both? Something more exotic?
Budget
After my recent layoff, things are up in the air. I'm more looking to read up than buy right now, but having a solid knowledge of budget and price tradeoffs can't hurt. When I land a new job, and I'm hoping it's soon, I plan to treat myself to something audio - whether a surround system, car audio, or pc audio is uncertain, but honestly, I use the PC audio the most, so there may be money to spend there. Soon. I hope.
Stereo:
Sherwood ST-880 turntable
Sherwood S-2620 receiver
Tsi100 speakers <-- This is my starting point.
HT:
Dreaming about it
Sherwood ST-880 turntable
Sherwood S-2620 receiver
Tsi100 speakers <-- This is my starting point.
HT:
Dreaming about it
Post edited by Vuroth on
Comments
-
Try '' www.computeraudiophile.com '' , plenty of info there.
-
First thing would be the source. In your case, trash the onboard audio even though it probably performs OK. Next would be buying a kicka$$ sound card, in this case I recommend the Asus Xonar D2, or the Essence. From there you can invest in good headphones, etc. The Xonar made a very noticeable improvement to my PC audio, even with MP3's. Well worth the price of admission. If those are a tad expensive, check out the DX card.
http://www.amazon.com/PCI-Express-XONAR-ESSENCE-STX-90-YAA0C0-0UAN00Z/dp/B001OV789U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335797338&sr=8-1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-XONAR-D2X-XDT-A-7-1-CHANNELS-PCI-E-EXPRESS-AUDIO-SOUND-CARD-/180863026185?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1c46c409
For headphones I would go with Sennheiser. For software on Windows 7, I would suggest Mediamonkey.Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!
Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580 -
Go to there forum and click on FAQ. Should answer your questions there.Try '' www.computeraudiophile.com '' , plenty of info there. -
Go to there forum and click on FAQ. Should answer your questions there.
Aha. I missed that first time I looked over that site. Thanks.Stereo:
Sherwood ST-880 turntable
Sherwood S-2620 receiver
Tsi100 speakers <-- This is my starting point.
HT:
Dreaming about it -
No problem. they just updated the site. The FAQ used to be on there home page.Aha. I missed that first time I looked over that site. Thanks.
