New 2-ch rig
billbillw
Posts: 6,766
Not really a full blown rig, but a 'new' rig for my computer:p
For the last 5 years, I've been living with a Klipsch ProMedia 4.1 system hooked directly to my SB Audigy Platinum Ex.
I suffered through a few years of bad drivers for the Audigy, but hey, they finally made some stable ones a couple years ago. I was still never impressed by the Klipsch sound for the desktop. It was too boomy, no detail in the midrange, harsh highs. Basically what you would expect from a mainstream PC soundsystem.
Anyway, after watching Ebay for a little while and seeing how much these Kipsch systems were still selling for, I decided to dump it and go completely 2-ch for my computer. This is really what I wanted 5 years ago, but I didn't have a clue on how to put a cheap rig together back then like I do know.
So, the Klipsch system sold for $130+shipping on Ebay (not bad considering I paid only $190 shipped for it brand new almost exactly 5 years ago).
I picked up a couple of those RS/Accurian 'amp deal of the century' amps last week. Did the requisite mods and bypassed the tone board completely. Cost for 1 amp, approx $21 shipped. Mods=free.
Yesterday, I picked up a pair of practically new Athena AS-B1.2 bookshelf speakers for $50 from a local C.L. seller. These things haven't even been broken in. The guy bought them in January, but found that the cabinets were too big to use where he wanted and he basically only tested them out. They are flawless.
Put this rig into use last night and I gotta say, its a huge improvement over the Kipsch! The imaging, the detail, the smoothness of the highs, the absence of noise/hiss all contribute to a much more musical presentation than I've ever had from my computer.
I have plans to use the rest of the money from the Klipsch sale to get rid of my SB Audigy and either use an external card, or go with an external DAC. THe only problem with using an external DAC is that I'll have to re-use the preamp section of the Accurian amp or perhaps rig a passive pre somehow. I've got an Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 on its way to try out. If I don't like that setup, I'll probably try the E-mu 0202 USB soundcard.
For the last 5 years, I've been living with a Klipsch ProMedia 4.1 system hooked directly to my SB Audigy Platinum Ex.
I suffered through a few years of bad drivers for the Audigy, but hey, they finally made some stable ones a couple years ago. I was still never impressed by the Klipsch sound for the desktop. It was too boomy, no detail in the midrange, harsh highs. Basically what you would expect from a mainstream PC soundsystem.
Anyway, after watching Ebay for a little while and seeing how much these Kipsch systems were still selling for, I decided to dump it and go completely 2-ch for my computer. This is really what I wanted 5 years ago, but I didn't have a clue on how to put a cheap rig together back then like I do know.
So, the Klipsch system sold for $130+shipping on Ebay (not bad considering I paid only $190 shipped for it brand new almost exactly 5 years ago).
I picked up a couple of those RS/Accurian 'amp deal of the century' amps last week. Did the requisite mods and bypassed the tone board completely. Cost for 1 amp, approx $21 shipped. Mods=free.
Yesterday, I picked up a pair of practically new Athena AS-B1.2 bookshelf speakers for $50 from a local C.L. seller. These things haven't even been broken in. The guy bought them in January, but found that the cabinets were too big to use where he wanted and he basically only tested them out. They are flawless.
Put this rig into use last night and I gotta say, its a huge improvement over the Kipsch! The imaging, the detail, the smoothness of the highs, the absence of noise/hiss all contribute to a much more musical presentation than I've ever had from my computer.
I have plans to use the rest of the money from the Klipsch sale to get rid of my SB Audigy and either use an external card, or go with an external DAC. THe only problem with using an external DAC is that I'll have to re-use the preamp section of the Accurian amp or perhaps rig a passive pre somehow. I've got an Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 on its way to try out. If I don't like that setup, I'll probably try the E-mu 0202 USB soundcard.
For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
Post edited by billbillw on
Comments
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I should mention, since this upgrade, I can now really, REALLY, hear a difference between the different encoding rates of MP3s. I find that I cannot even listen to ones that were encoded at 128kbps. Barely tolerate 160kbps.
FLAC sounds awesome though!For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
Looks good!CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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You don't want to use the Accurian preamp board if you don't have to. Remember, you can use any stand alone preamp (passive or active) instead of the built in preamp board if you wish.
madmaxVinyl, the final frontier...
Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want...
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You don't want to use the Accurian preamp board if you don't have to. Remember, you can use any stand alone preamp (passive or active) instead of the built in preamp board if you wish.
madmax
Yep, but I don't have anything lying around (as far as Preamps go). IF I use the Accurian's preamp section, it won't be without mods, like a better volume pot, better input caps, and a better opamp. I haven't really looked at it closely yet though.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
Looks like crap.
Push in the tweeter domes on the Athena's for a better look.
Cheers,
RussCheck your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service. -
cool.. i used to use those bookshelf Athena's for my computer rig too a few years back. Nice little speaker for the price.
looks good despite what Russ says. what does he know?
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
Nice rig.
Nice to see another Dawg fan.Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend. -
Very cool.
One thing on sounds cards, if you're using the digital out, you don't need a EMU card. I'm using a XtremeMusic card and was told by Creative that there would be no advantage to using a EMU card if I'm using the digital out."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Very cool.
One thing on sounds cards, if you're using the digital out, you don't need a EMU card. I'm using a XtremeMusic card and was told by Creative that there would be no advantage to using a EMU card if I'm using the digital out.
Yep, I know that. I will only get the E-mu if I decide either I don't like the sound of the DAC that I have coming or if I'm not able to rig the Accurian to control volume to my satisfaction.
The E-mu would be used to output 2ch analog directly to the amp and also to control volume. You'd actually be surprised to know that the Emu 0202 USB doesn't even have digital outputs believe it or not. Its purely analog 2-channel in/out.
Oh yeah. Russ was right. The Athenas did look like crap, so I tried something different (see picture).
I don't think that will pass the WAF test though.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
Polk headphones, cool.Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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They gave me a headache like that, not to mention, most of my workspace was gone...Polk headphones, cool.
So those poor unloved 7's are back in the closet. I think I'm going to make space for them in the garage this weekend and give them a semi-permanant home out there.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
I wouldn't want to listen to SL1000's that close either."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
