Thinking about upgrading sound card maybe?

polk500

So I've been thinking about how I can I improve my computer based music.

I'm useing a HP note book 6050 manufacter in 2009 with Jriver program connected to a DAC magic 100 useing a MIT USB cable and MIT interconnects to a HK 3600 AVR and Douglas cables to my VR3 modded Rti a 7. (Two plugs for these guys)

And it sounds good;I had to download a new driver for the DAC a while ago really improved the sound and somewhere in the future I'm going to get a high end USB converter.

But in the meantime I've been thinking about the sound card and maybe if possible upgrading it if that possible or nessauary ?

The sound card that installed is a HDaudio or at least that what I think it is.

So hence this thread is it worth it am I chasing after something that isn't worth the effort.

Cheers
Roger

11tsteve

are you still using the sound card if you are using USB?

polk500

Well Steve that a good question that I don't no the answer too....but if that the case then I don't need to upgrade it.
Hmmm
Cheers
Roger

tonyb

11tsteve wrote: »

are you still using the sound card if you are using USB?

I didn't think so....could be wrong though.

Want to up your game ? Better dac....get away from using the receiver as the pre....assuming all your audio is in lossless ? Not converted MP3 ?

polk500

No MP3 looking at a pre for down the road.

All cd ripped FLAC.
Cheers
Roger

11tsteve

if you want to be sure, shut of the sound in the BIOS, install ASIO4ALL.... I believe it still should work.

polk500

Hello Steve,

Not quite sure what you're talking about, if you would be so kind as to elaborate that would be fantastic.

Cheers
Roger

11tsteve

sorry, it may be more trouble than its worth. Your laptop has built in sound, which can be disabled in the BIOS (setup), which can be accessed usually by hitting the F10 key on boot up.

Then, install ASIO4ALL as a driver for Jriver..... http://www.asio4all.com

How is Jriver currently configured for playback?

polk500

I do believe I already disable it when I install JRiver. As for playback I'm using ASIO.

Cheers
Roger

dragon1952

I would forget about the sound card and go for the USB/SPDIF converter. You can get very decent ones for between $150-$300.

voltz

Rodger

you downloaded and/or install a driver for your DAC magic 100 and your hooking it up via usb cable so you are using your DAC and not your sound card to play your music (as the driver is letting your dac become the new sound card) so you don't need to change anything

for my setup I just right click on the volume control icon on my task bar and then click on "Playback device" and switch between my dac and sound card that way!

sidenote: sometimes a device may not show up as a option via the "playback device" way untill its turn on and plugged into the usb port of your pc!

polk500

Thanks Steve,

So I downloaded the 4all got it working on Jriver and one of the first things I notice was the incoming sample rate on my DAC when from 44.1 to 48.

The sound quality seem to improve will have to listen some more but I do believe so.

Dragon it on my long list of things. :-)

Thanks voltz I been reading more and your correct. I will try playing directing from the laptop and see if I can switch back and forth.

Cheers
Roger

polk500

polk500 wrote: »

Thanks Steve,

So I downloaded the 4all got it working on Jriver and one of the first things I notice was the incoming sample rate on my DAC when from 44.1 to 48.

The sound quality seem to improve will have to listen some more but I do believe so.

Dragon it on my long list of things. :-)

Thanks voltz I been reading more and your correct. I will try playing directing from the laptop and see if I can switch back and forth.

Cheers
Roger

Well after listening all day,I've come to the conclusion that it sounds good. As for sample rate of 48 well that just a setting that was checked marked. Changing it back and forth from 44.1 to 48 I couldn't discern any difference.

What I did learn was that it appears that I was useing the laptops sound card and not the DAC 100 before or maybe not anyway the settings are changed to use the DAC 100 now.

Man I feel some days I'm going backwards on this audio journey so I'm done messing around for today just poured some Jack D over some ice and just going to listen unwind....

Cheers
Roger

txcoastal1

polk500 wrote: »

..................I'm done messing around for today just poured some Jack D over some ice and just going to listen unwind....

Cheers
Roger

That's the best way to do it....so what ya' spinning

polk500

Dire Straits sultans of swing the very best of.

Cheers
Roger

polk500

Next in the que is Billie Joe & Norah foreverly,

Cheers
Roger

txcoastal1

I have and like both my only issue with Billie/Norah album as I wish they would have mixed it up a bit with actual duet solo on parts instead the entire album singing in sync

polk500

That's a good point although they do let each other come to the forefront on some songs. It took awhile before I could say I really like this style now it's one of my favorites.

Cheers
Roger