Best Desktop System: Parasound Zamp + Zpre2 or Virtue One
Terra S
Posts: 74
Hey guys, I'd like your opinion on which two channel desktop system would sound better for streaming audio and MP3 playback. Rather than powered computer speakers I would like to take it to the next level. My friend who has a mini home recording studio recently upgraded his gear and gave me his old sound card. It's a M-Audio Audiophile2496 sound card which has analog RCA I/O jacks. So I'm contemplating getting either:
1.) Parasound Zamp v3 and pair it with a Zpre2 two channel preamp (found on craigslist in excellent condition for about $300).
2.) The Virtue ONE two channel amp w/integrated volume control. (just under $300 w/standard powersupply direct from Virtue audio). There's a really good youtube video on it HERE.
Two totally different solutions. The first one is the more traditional amp + preamp, the second much newer design but limited to one input and no remote. Both are small in size but the Virtue ONE is by far the smallest and most simple. I've read some really rave reviews about it and an upgraded power-supply is also available to give it more WPC. Just wondering which you guys think would be a better system to pair with the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 sound-card and a nice pair of Polk monitors?
1.) Parasound Zamp v3 and pair it with a Zpre2 two channel preamp (found on craigslist in excellent condition for about $300).
2.) The Virtue ONE two channel amp w/integrated volume control. (just under $300 w/standard powersupply direct from Virtue audio). There's a really good youtube video on it HERE.
Two totally different solutions. The first one is the more traditional amp + preamp, the second much newer design but limited to one input and no remote. Both are small in size but the Virtue ONE is by far the smallest and most simple. I've read some really rave reviews about it and an upgraded power-supply is also available to give it more WPC. Just wondering which you guys think would be a better system to pair with the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 sound-card and a nice pair of Polk monitors?
Post edited by Terra S on
Comments
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Hey guys, I'd like your opinion on which two channel desktop system would sound better for streaming audio and MP3 playback. Rather than powered computer speakers I would like to take it to the next level. My friend who has a mini home recording studio recently upgraded his gear and gave me his old sound card. It's a M-Audio Audiophile2496 sound card which has analog RCA I/O jacks. So I'm contemplating getting either:
1.) Parasound Zamp v3 and pair it with a Zpre2 two channel preamp (found on craigslist in excellent condition for about $300).
2.) The Virtue ONE two channel amp w/integrated volume control. (just under $300 w/standard powersupply direct from Virtue audio). There's a really good youtube video on it HERE.
Two totally different solutions. The first one is the more traditional amp + preamp, the second much newer design but limited to one input and no remote. Both are small in size but the Virtue ONE is by far the smallest and most simple. I've read some really rave reviews about it and an upgraded power-supply is also available to give it more WPC. Just wondering which you guys think would be a better system to pair with the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 sound-card and a nice pair of Polk monitors?
I like the known one. PARASOUND. The M-audio should do a reasonable job
of putting out sound. My EMU 0404 rolls off the high and low end a bit.
BTW, Detroit is the little "d". Dallas is the big "D".:D"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
Also check out the Pro-ject "box" components!DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
sucks2beme wrote: »I like the known one. PARASOUND. The M-audio should do a reasonable job
of putting out sound. My EMU 0404 rolls off the high and low end a bit.
I'm kind of leaning towards the Parasound setup, too. I'm not sure why the preamp has video connections or what the 2-way RS-232 control is for. But it has more potential in that I can connect a tuner or other devices and has a remote plus a mini 3.5mm headphone jack. What speakers would you suggest with the Parasound solution?sucks2beme wrote: »BTW, Detroit is the little "d". Dallas is the big "D".:D
Thanks for correcting me on that one!
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The other choice is powered speakers. Ping Vr3MxStyler2k3 .
He sells pro audio stuff, and there are some decent powered speaker
options out there. A pair of RTI4's, Paradigm Titans, etc. would work
well in the traditional setup."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
Yeah, I've also considered powered speakers like Mackie MR5 Studio Monitors. How would those get connected to the M-Audio 2496 soundcard? Via the L/R analog outs to the Mackies, correct?
The traditional method would allow for more inputs though, such as a tuner, etc., due to a preamp into the equation. Just wondering how the sound quality would differ from powered speakers like the MR5's vs. Paradigm Titans or Mini's connected via the Parasound amp. -
Yeah, I've also considered powered speakers like Mackie MR5 Studio Monitors. How would those get connected to the M-Audio 2496 soundcard? Via the L/R analog outs to the Mackies, correct?
The traditional method would allow for more inputs though, such as a tuner, etc., due to a preamp into the equation. Just wondering how the sound quality would differ from powered speakers like the MR5's vs. Paradigm Titans or Mini's connected via the Parasound amp.
There's better out there in powered speakers. Sid the kid ( Vr3MxStyler2k3)
did some reviews on several models. Depending on the speaker, it would
be either a 1/4" plug or standard rca input to the speakers. This would be
simple to set up and use. Then there's old school. Flexable, and upgradable.
The Titans, small Polks,B&w, etc. would all be good choices. Scrounge the
local craigslist, use what pops up. If you're like the rest of us, it will escalate
out of control until you have a full blown 2 channel, anyway. I started off this
time with a $15 EBAY receiver, a DVD palyer, and a pair of RTI4's. There's no
wrong answer. You might even find a used Rotel or NAd integrated amp.
Don't be in a hurry. That way you can get the best bang for the buck at every step.
Check the Polk FM, and use the wanted forum. A lot of us have spare amps, speakers,
and all the fixings stuffed in that spare closet."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
