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Help choosing a sound card/sound system

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DigitalSteel:
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:
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:

--- 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


--- End quote ---

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:
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:
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.

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