What computer sounds cards are you using for Music

engtaz
engtaz Posts: 7,663
edited April 2009 in The Clubhouse
What computer sounds cards are you using for Music. Just wanted to know which cards and/or device you are using to export music from your computer to your sytems.

Thanks
engtaz

I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
Post edited by engtaz on
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,163
    edited April 2009
    Chaintech AV510. A proven low cost SC that is no longer avail. I use the optical out bypassing all the Window's mixers with true Kernel streaming for a completely unprocessed digital signal into my outboard DAC.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited April 2009
    Im using this one.

    http://hothardware.com/Articles/Guillemot-Maxi-Sound-Fortissimo/


    Opti out to my TXSR701 to my RTI70's.

    Great sound for tens bucks :)

    Looking to upgrade?

    Pauly
    Life without music would♭
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited April 2009
    engtaz wrote: »
    What computer sounds cards are you using for Music. Just wanted to know which cards and/or device you are using to export music from your computer to your sytems.

    Thanks

    I guess your intention is to control the playback from the computer itself?
    Have you thought about a Squeezebox? Streaming the music from the computer to wherever your stereo rig is setup.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited April 2009
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    I guess your intention is to control the playback from the computer itself?
    Have you thought about a Squeezebox? Streaming the music from the computer to wherever your stereo rig is setup.


    Didnt think about that. Ive thought about upgrading to a Media Center like SB or the likes. But ive got a modded Xbox that has Media Center that i use to stream to my main rig from my computer and the GUI/Visualizations are pretty sweet. So cant justify spending the coin, just yet..

    Pauly
    Life without music would♭
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,163
    edited April 2009
    Just to clarify my mentioned set-up is for my office rig. I also run a Squeezebox for the main rig. As resistant as I was to the idea of wireless streaming for a true higher end system I have been pleasantly surprised. Taking care to rip my music properly I don;t hear a difference, using the same outboard DAC, between a cdp transport or the streaming. I'm still evaluating but so far I have no issues.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited April 2009
    I love lossless but problem is the the compression of the original recordings are now crap.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2009
    I'm using the digital coax out from a Creative XFi card to an external DAC.
    "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
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  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited April 2009
    I have used all of these

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000290057%2050011613&name=HT%20Omega

    depending on the budget need for the PC...they are by far the best sound cards in each ones perspective price catagory .

    I hadnt even noticed before because I always bought one specific card at a time, but when I just put HT OMEGA as a search in Newegg...every single card in their entire line has 5 stars ...deserving too :D


    http://www.htomega.com/clarohalo_xt.html

    " Claro halo uses high grade metalized film capacitors for both opamp and headphone amp IC ports to ensure noise-free ananlog output. "

    film.jpg



    " High quality RCA connectors are mounted by nuts and lock washers to ensure rigid installation and endurance. "


    rca.jpg
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,720
    edited April 2009
    I use an E-MU 0404 PCI card. Analog outs go to the modified Radioshack $15 amp that is powering my Athenas. The digital output goes to my Entech Number Cruncher DAC and my Little Dot headphone amp. I am very happy with the quality/sound of the E-MU card and drivers. The ASIO drivers are very stable and I've never had a soundcard related lockup or crash in the last 9 months since switching. The 0404 PCI can be had very cheap on Ebay or from Creative's refurb outlet.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • avelanchefan
    avelanchefan Posts: 2,401
    edited April 2009
    One other thing, make sure if you are playing lossless or mp3 to use a good proggy like Winamp. Their codecs are far superior to WMP.
    Sean
    XboxLive--->avelanchefan
    PSN---->Floppa
    http://card.mygamercard.net/avelanchefan.png
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited April 2009
    I use Foobar2000.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited April 2009
    billbillw, does the E-MU 0404 PCI work well with game software also?
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Ender
    Ender Posts: 603
    edited April 2009
    Another vote for the HT OMEGA line.
    SDA 1C, SDA 2A, SDA SRS 2, CMT-340SE, Swan M200MKII, Swan D1080MKII, Behringer MS40

    Outlaw Audio M2200 x2, GFA 555 II, BGW 750C

    GDA 700, Outlaw Audio Model 990, Sansa Fuze, X-Fi Platinum Fatality
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,720
    edited April 2009
    engtaz wrote: »
    billbillw, does the E-MU 0404 PCI work well with game software also?

    I have no problems gaming. Of course, My 'puter rig is strictly 2-ch only, so I don't know if the E-mu will pass Dolby/DTS through the digital output if that is what you are looking for. Games I've played with no problem (in 2 ch) include Crysis, FarCry, HalfLife2, FEAR, and Doom 3. (Gee, do you think I like F.P.S. games?)
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited April 2009
    Another HT Omega Claro + user here. I think the XT is even better if you use microphone occasionally.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • devani
    devani Posts: 1,497
    edited April 2009
    HK445 can be connected directly to PC using USB connection....so it's like a external sound card for my PC....
    Video: LG 55LN5100/Samsung LNT4065F
    Receiver: HK AVR445
    Source: OPPO BDP-93
    HT: POLK SPEAKERS RTi6, FXi3, CSi5, VTF-3 MK2
    2Ch system: MC2105, AR-XA, AR-2A, AR9, BX-300, OPPO BDP-83
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited April 2009
    I use an ASUS Xonar D2x soundcard, using digital out to digital in on my reciever. Here is a link

    http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/01/13/asus_xonar_d2x_pci-express_soundcard/1

    Great card but a little pricey
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2009
    The stock ASUS mobo chip.....SoundMAX.
    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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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited April 2009
    I'm using a Turtle Beach Audio Advantage ($25) USB to Optical from my laptop to my receiver. My music files are all on my main desktop computer & I'm wireless from the laptop to the main box. I use Mediamonkey as a library manager / player.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited April 2009
    I am setting up a 2 channel rig. I already have 7.1 but want to go 2 ch.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited April 2009
    How about usb DAC's???
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited April 2009
    I am seriously considering a Cambridge Audio DacMagic. Unless your trying to keep it cheap, that might be the best option (IMHO). Then you could use it for other sources at your will.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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