Author Topic: Help choosing a sound card/sound system (Read 2545 times)

Zayras · « **on:** August 21, 2009, 09:37:20 PM »

Well, I sold my computer a while back and went on vacation right after it. I was going to build a new computer right away, but I decided to wait for the upcoming Intel processors (I might just go AMD and wait for the 32nm CPU prices to go down... we'll see) and now I'm using a shitty laptop and my old HDD w/ all the anime decided to die on me :'(.

Anyways I was thinking that I would do water cooling, but I reconsidered... because well, if I did decide to water cool I would spend $400 on all the parts, so I've decided that I'd rather spend that money and maybe a bit more on good air cooling and a good sound system. After looking at the price of sound cards and sound systems I've decided that I might want to spend around $500 on both the sound card and the sound system.

Btw I won't be buying them any time soon, maybe late september or until november when I decide which processor to get depending on the prices (and how much money I have), but I'll greatly appreciate any help I get on which components to choose since I'm quite unexperienced when it comes to good sound systems/sound cards, also any other sites you guys might have for picking them out.

Anyways I was thinking about the Sonar D2X sound card but was wondering what you guys thought of the AuzenTech X-Fi Forte
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4037070&CatId=2771
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156010

and the logitech Z-5500 or the Polk Audio RM705
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290113

Sosseres · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2009, 09:41:33 PM »

If you are going to spend $400 you could get some very nice headphones with some sort of amp/sound card for it. As another idea.

Talapus · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2009, 10:04:31 PM »

These days, integrated sound is often adequate. My desktop came with an SPDIF output. Run through a DAC, amp and a good set of cans produces beautiful music.

Zayras · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2009, 10:20:21 PM »

Well, I don't want headphones, the vast majority get uncomfortable after a few hours and I don't really want to use onboard audio unless you guys recommend I do so considering I want to spend that amount of money on a sound system. BTW I want a good surround sound system (preferably 5.1), not a 2 speaker or 2.1 set up... so would it be worth getting a sound card with the systems I've listed? If not feel free to list other speakers and how much I should spend to get a good sound card.

vuzedome · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2009, 10:44:04 PM »

No Creative XFIs?
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=872&product=17813&listby=
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=872&product=17791&listby=
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=872&product=16559&listby=
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=872&product=15854&listby=

Awesome stuff!!!!

bloody000 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2009, 02:39:03 AM »

Gamer -> Auzentech X-Fi

Movie/Music -> Xonar

Zayras · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2009, 05:16:25 AM »

Cool, good to know Bloody and Vuze I've heard more bad things about the Creative X-Fi's than the other cards, but I'm aware that they do make some good cards so I'll take into consideration the ones you mentioned.

BTW although I do game quite a bit, I'd prefer something that can reproduce music and movies/videos quite nicely and after reading up a bit the Xonar apparently doesn't always support EAX5 or w/e which improves performance in games (lol need to do more research), but according to quite a few people at several tech forums the Xonars perform better (generally) than the X-Fi's ...would you guys agree?

Also more ideas for a nice 5.1 sound system pls

or are the ones I mentioned good??

kureshii · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2009, 05:35:20 AM »

Some reviews might help. Here's one from techreport on the Xonar DX. I'm planning on getting that myself for my next desktop/HTPC build - partly because the D2X is too pricey IMO, and also because I'm going for a slim build so the low-profile DX would be a better fit.

DigitalSteel · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2009, 08:19:33 AM »

Get a motherboard with optical out and put the money into an amp instead. Get some good speakers and a sub for it, you can always add more later for surround sound. More flexible and definitely higher quality than a sound card and PC speakers in my opinion.

I've got an Onkyo amp and Polk Monitor 70s with one of their powered subs in a 5.1 configuration. They are the best out of everything I've ever used or heard.

Also, you don't loose performance with optical out. The computer doesn't process the sound at all, the amp does.

Talapus · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2009, 08:45:21 AM »

Quote from: DigitalSteel on August 22, 2009, 08:19:33 AM

The computer doesn't process the sound at all, the amp does.

You will have to get an amp with a DAC or else get a seperate DAC.
It is certainly the better way to go, but will probably cost you a fair share more than $400 (especially with good speakers).

DigitalSteel · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2009, 09:32:13 AM »

Any amp that can input optical in the first place would be able to, and I know of a few amps on newegg that would work out for around $400. over all you will spend a little more (with speakers), but you have the flexibility to add-hock speakers when ever you can afford more or an upgrade.

bloody000 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2009, 09:48:54 AM »

receiver + speakers = well over $500

Headphones FTW!

DigitalSteel · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2009, 10:11:21 AM »

Yeah.. true.. You might be able to squeeze it for 600 though... maybe... then add more later

Plus, you can't really blow anything up with headphones

vuzedome · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2009, 11:34:08 AM »

Always go dedicated discrete audio card.
Never onboard because there'll be lots of interfering signals.

Reviewers use sophisticated audio benchmarking hardware to test audio quality that 99% of us humans can't tell the difference just by using our ears.
So which one? One that fits your taste, Xonar for movies and song, Creative for gaming. That's just my opinion.

bloody000 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2009, 12:26:37 PM »

Quote from: vuzedome on August 22, 2009, 11:34:08 AM

Always go dedicated discrete audio card.
Never onboard because there'll be lots of interfering signals.

Reviewers use sophisticated audio benchmarking hardware to test audio quality that 99% of us humans can't tell the difference just by using our ears.
So which one? One that fits your taste, Xonar for movies and song, Creative for gaming. That's just my opinion.

They are the same if you use the digital output. but a sound card(like an X-Fi) generally doesn't suck at games/cpu usage and supports much more voices.

DigitalSteel · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2009, 06:08:23 PM »

Right, you can only get noise when processing analog, otherwise the sound card never even touches the audio. Which is also why, when using optical out, it makes no difference if you have a sound card.

Zayras · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2009, 09:30:55 PM »

Cool, cool, great to know... anyone have any links to any amps/subs/speakers, I don't mind get only those things and a two speaker set-up if it really is worth it... and upgrade eventually of course.

BTW do I really need an amp w/ DAC or can I just use digital to analog cables like I am using now with my shitty set up? lol

Talapus · « **Reply #17 on:** August 24, 2009, 02:26:45 AM »

Quote from: Zayras on August 23, 2009, 09:30:55 PM

BTW do I really need an amp w/ DAC or can I just use digital to analog cables like I am using now with my shitty set up? lol

That's just an analog to analog adapter. The digital RCA jack is orange colored.

PC integrated < Sound card < Independant DAC (they all contain a DAC of one sort or another)

All parts of the system are important, so try to balance things out. If you have expensive speakers, you shouldn't skimp on the other parts of the system (unless you are just saving up to buy those later). If you are just going to have a shitty $200 surround sound system, then it really doesn't matter if the rest of your system is of the highest quality IMHO.

DigitalSteel · « **Reply #18 on:** August 24, 2009, 04:54:07 AM »

Like I said before, all amps with optical inputs have a DAC, make sure to have a motherboard with optical out and an amp with optical in and you'll be fine.

Newegg has a sale on the polk speakers.

I got:

4 Monitor 70 floor speakers http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290015 @ $250 each
Polk PSW505 Sub http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290130 @ $250
CS20 Center http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290107 @ $250
ONKYO TXSR806 Receiver http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120109 @ $600

Those are the top of their middle high end set. I personal found their top set, the TSI models to not sound much different as they are the same drivers with a better cabinet.

But if they are out of your price range, go for the Monitor 60s or even their bookshelf speakers (Monitor 40) depending on the room you have. They will all sound better then even the best that Logitech or Creative have. I have a set of the Creative S750 and my friend has a set of the Logitech z-5500 (both also amazing) but they have nothing on the theater system.

The receiver is the difficult part because it is about the same price as the top end pc sound systems on its own. The Monitor 40s are about $150 each and fit better if you don't have the room for full all around floor speakers.

Zayras · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2009, 02:01:08 PM »

Lol, good to know Talapus and thanks for the links Digital... damn that's a lot of money, I need to start saving... haha. Well, looking at the prices I might want to wait a bit more to get everything, specially the reciever. But very helpful nonetheless I might just go w/ the sub and two speakers to start out with use onboard audio for now and build up from there... but we'll see, I'll try to start saving up more $$ and I'll see what I can get.