taboo
surfntomm
Posts: 185
hey i know you guys already dont like the idea of mp3's but the grim reality is that i just got some lsi7's (in the mail) and i have a pro amp (samson servo 550) to run them and they will be for my computer rig/2channel in my room since i moved all my equipment to my living room for ht. i dont have a pre for my amp and i was wondering if if should get analog pre or digital (if they exist). i have an audigy 2 zs sound card had an optical output or spdif 4 ring digital output. so my question is do i get a preamp and if so what kind? and do you think that my amp will be fine to run the 7's (in terms of quality because i know that wpc is fine, i used to use it on my rti70's and they were more and pleasant with this amp). any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Post edited by surfntomm on
Comments
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The LSi's crave power, so you might be pleasantly surprised with the pro amp. I have heard very pleasant sounding pro amps, not remembering the brand names of course.
I would get a pre, as opposed to running the amp right off the soundcard. I've seen it done, and there is allways a harsh quality that hits me wrong. I do like my sound a little laid back as a preference, you might be different.
maybe a little tube pre is what the dr orderred. I used my Dodd ELP in a gaming rig and it brought some life to what many consider a crappy source (the playstation 2). Thats the route I would try if I were you. I would spend huge money, but a good used tube pre is worth a shot.Living Room 2 Channel -
Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.
Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.
Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites -
As a user of the Creative Audigy 2NX with my laptop, I can tell you for certain you want a pre. I did what you're contemplating myself for a while, running those exact speakers through an adcom amp, streaming mp3's and the like. It works, but the dac built into the audigy is miserable: little detail, grating, lotta background noise: and not because of the source material. I wouldn't call it fatiguing, but the 7's were very revealing to the poor sound quality of the Audigy and you can get a whole lot more out of your music files.
Another problem is that any computer program you're using might suddenly change the volume, and that could potentially damage your amp/speakers. Running your sound through a pre and using the pre's volume control would be a safer bet.
Grab a pre that supports digital in and maybe you'll have better luck... but stay away from the analog out on the soundcard.Lovin that music year after year.
Main 2 Channel System
Polk SDA-1B,
Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
Rotel RB-980BX,
OPPO DV-970HD,
Lite Audio DAC AH,
IXOS XHA305 Interconnects
Computer Rig
Polk SDA CRS+,
Creek Audio 5350 SE,
Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
HRT Music Streamer II -
Refefer wrote:As a user of the Creative Audigy 2NX with my laptop, I can tell you for certain you want a pre. I did what you're contemplating myself for a while, running those exact speakers through an adcom amp, streaming mp3's and the like.
i was looking at the audigy 2nx but it got subpar reviews from some people regarding sound quality so i picked up the 2 zs for like 70 bucks. i have yet to try it out since im awaiting my system to be setup for my computer lol. so i think i will go with a digital preamp. does anyone know of a relatively decent preamp that is black (has to be black) that looks good and wont explode my wallet. please be uner 200 ::crossing fingers::
