building a 2 ch. rig for a PC... for Dummies...

olilugo

OK, I saw a couple of threads about this and I have to say I hate you ... you know who you are... I hate Not knowing ... what in the world how is this turning around to me...

I didn't want to crash your threads so I decided to create a new one...

I have a Computer, it has built in sound card, it has a TV card, I have some PC crapy speakers...
Ok I am ready ... what next? I am really ready... OK what do I need, to get a deccent 2ch going?
What do I connect, what do I disconect... what do I add.

Face

Rip all your songs to FLAC or another lossless format.

Get a decent sound card with a digital coax out to your receiver.

Or are you building a entirely new rig?

You'll then need a preamp, amp, DAC, speakers and cables.

Early B.

A computer rig for 2-channel?? Geez, the whole world has gone mad, I say.

billbillw

Face wrote: »

Rip all your songs to FLAC or another lossless format.

Get a decent sound card with a digital coax out to your receiver.

Or are you building a entirely new rig?

You'll then need a preamp, amp, DAC, speakers and cables.

If budget is a factor, then I can offer some cheap solutions that will likely impress you.

If you are only looking for a 2-channel system and don't need 5.1/7.1 decoding, then for budgetary and simplicities sake, I'd recommend getting a good external sound card like the Emu 0202 USB, (or 0404 USB which is more expensive), M-Audio Audiophile USB or Firewire (both are actually discontinued, but can be found in some places).

Use the output from one of those external cards to power one of these amps: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51953
Next, find a pair of 90dB (or better) efficient bookshelf speakers. If you've got the space, then these Insignia's from BestBuy are probably the best pair of speakers ever made for under $100.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705307&type=product&id=1138085354138

Do the mods mentioned in the 'amp deal' thread to remove the 'receiver board', bypass the 'tone board', and you will have yourself a 25wpc system that will definitely be a huge step up from what you have.
Total cost:
Emu0202USB: $99 shipped
Accurian Amp: $22 shipped
Insignia 6.5" speakers: $79+tax from your local BB. They occasinally have sales on these too.

For right around $200, you will have a system that will sound better than many systems costing $1000+.
Of course, you need good source material, FLAC encoded files or MP3s encoded at better than 192kbps are what you need.

ben62670

I also use the Accurain amp. The speakers I run are custom monitor 4 style that I built with nice Morel Tweeters, and I just got this Sound card which has plenty of juice to drive the Accurian amp with the bypass mod. Also this sound card can pass the DTS/Dolby digital to a receiver. This is great for gaming, or movies without the 2 channel suffering.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67538
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-plosion.php
If you are interested in something similar I would suggest getting some monitor 5's, and I can help with any of the mods you need.
Ben

janmike

Early B. wrote: »

A computer rig for 2-channel?? Geez, the whole world has gone mad, I say.

I had some guy at work ask me when I was moving over the PC based side of things for 2CH. I told him the day I get tired of listening to my Esoteric SACD player.

amulford

Amen...

billbillw

Listen,

None of my recommendations are meant to replace a stand alone, dedicated 2-channel system. I don't believe that a computer based system will ever replace my desire for a high end system with a vinyl rig, SACD, and BIG speakers.

However, I work at the computer a lot (A LOT!). Many of us do. When my computer was in a dedicated home office, I had the dedicated 2-ch system right in there and I was spoiled by high quality sound while working on the computer.

Now, with an 18 month old son and and a new baby coming in 2 months, I said goodbye to a dedicated office/hobby room. Currently, our main computer is out in the dining room. No way to have a stand alone 2-ch out here. Its also too far from the other systems in my house.

So, a compromise had to be made if I wanted to enjoy music while working on the computer. Hence the recent changes I made to my computer sound rig.

I'm sure I'm not alone in this department and the need for a decent sounding computer rig.

olilugo

Bill, you are in the right track, it is reasonably price.
what I am looking for is something alot better than the usual computer +sound card + speakers...
I am not looking at adding a subwoofer or a 5.1 or 7.1. Today my speakers are located right next to my monitor.
I am planning on music, to be the output of my TV card and I do use my computer for daily use, and the movie once in a while.

I don't use my PC for games so no games sounds necessary.

olilugo

Bill I have a question on one of the threads about the amp from Radio shack, I had the impression they were buying 2 amps instead of one, then there was some modification, can you add some clarity about this at a dummy level please. :-). why 2 how would you put them all together.

Does any one else have a TV card. I love my card, I can listen to the TV while I work.

billbillw

olilugo wrote: »

Bill I have a question on one of the threads about the amp from Radio shack, I had the impression they were buying 2 amps instead of one, then there was some modification, can you add some clarity about this at a dummy level please. :-). why 2 how would you put them all together.

Does any one else have a TV card. I love my card, I can listen to the TV while I work.

Not sure what you mean. Many people buy 2 or 3 because they are so cheap. I bought two, one for my computer rig, and a 2nd one for a planned porch/patio setup.

Take the time to read through the thread completely. Post #6 give a good description of the basic mod to make the amp work without the original wireless transmitter. This is the 1st step. The 2nd step to improved sound is to totally bypass the tone board (volume, balance, bass/treble). This really clears up the sound, gives deeper bass, and the amp has a much lower noise floor. You give up the volume control though, which is why you need to keep a soundcard with analog output for volume control.

There are several ways to bypass the tone board, but I outlined one in post #176 that doesn't require any soldering or cutting. Just simple swapping of the pins that are in the plugs.

VDubFan

I am also interested in setting up a 2ch. PC rig. Noting too high end. I will be using my old desk top as a source with itunes. I was thinking about this sound card http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/riviera/home.aspx, and using the Optic output and running it to an HK avr 110 which I just had repaired. And then hooking up a pair of Monitor 30 or 40's. I'm just looking for some suggestions. I tried computeraudio.com for info, but they are way too advanced for me. I just want something simple to listen to music. Also, since I'm using itunes, what format should I rip my cd's? Are there any other settings I should consider to get the best sound? Thanks for any input.

Face

I would get a card that uses digital coax, or gives the option for either.

Since you're using iTunes, I believe you should use M4A or Apple Lossless.