BF2S Forums Help choosing audio equipment for PC pl0x

Bell wrote:

.Sup wrote:

So Martyn will this card be used for gaming, movies, music, everything and if so what is the most important thing for you-effects or quality, low jitter sound?

Looking for as much of an all rounder as possible, but, more ofthen than not I just listen to music when I come in, so got more of a bias on that front, dont watch movies on my PC.  Though I would like something that can do all these effects in games, since I keep hearing people talk about how good they are.......

Would like to avoid tiny sound as much as possible, effects are nice but am not overly concerned about them.

Freezer7Pro wrote:

.Sup wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

Are you saying tube amps are there for reference sound reproduction?

no although most high end stereo amps have tubes inside its body

No.

The vacuum tube is a very slow "semiconductor". It takes many times longer to switch than a transistor, thus adding a certain amount of distortion to any high-frequency signal it is processing. Tubes are still used due to the fact that they add that slight distortion, giving them a "warm" and unique sound. Many people, me included, like that sound, and thus have kept tubes on the market. Tubes are, however, nowhere near transistors when it comes to true reference fidelity. It's physically impossible.

Are tubes a nice niche? Yes, very. Are tubes good for accurate audio reproduction? Hell no!

Bell wrote:

.Sup wrote:

Bell wrote:

Looking for as much of an all rounder as possible, but, more ofthen than not I just listen to music when I come in, so got more of a bias on that front, dont watch movies on my PC.  Though I would like something that can do all these effects in games, since I keep hearing people talk about how good they are.......

Would like to avoid tiny sound as much as possible, effects are nice but am not overly concerned about them.

If you do watch movies are they dvix or DVDs? Just want to know whether you need any Dolby effects or not. Also you will be using the card with both speakers and headphones?

DVDs, but, I almost exclusivly watch DVDs and blu rays through my actual home cinema set up.  I have a Yamaha RX-V1900 receiver for all of that so it's no worry really.  And as I said, so long as the sound card has the optical or coax out I can send it to the receiver should I need to (yes?).

I'd use the card for both the speakers and headphones yeah (although obv not at the same time).

Bell wrote:

.Sup wrote:

Bell wrote:

Looking for as much of an all rounder as possible, but, more ofthen than not I just listen to music when I come in, so got more of a bias on that front, dont watch movies on my PC.  Though I would like something that can do all these effects in games, since I keep hearing people talk about how good they are.......

Would like to avoid tiny sound as much as possible, effects are nice but am not overly concerned about them.

If you do watch movies are they dvix or DVDs? Just want to know whether you need any Dolby effects or not. Also you will be using the card with both speakers and headphones?

DVDs, but, I almost exclusivly watch DVDs and blu rays through my actual home cinema set up.  I have a Yamaha RX-V1900 receiver for all of that so it's no worry really.  And as I said, so long as the sound card has the optical or coax out I can send it to the receiver should I need to (yes?).

I'd use the card for both the speakers and headphones yeah (although obv not at the same time).

.Sup wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

.Sup wrote:

no although most high end stereo amps have tubes inside its body

No.

The vacuum tube is a very slow "semiconductor". It takes many times longer to switch than a transistor, thus adding a certain amount of distortion to any high-frequency signal it is processing. Tubes are still used due to the fact that they add that slight distortion, giving them a "warm" and unique sound. Many people, me included, like that sound, and thus have kept tubes on the market. Tubes are, however, nowhere near transistors when it comes to true reference fidelity. It's physically impossible.

Are tubes a nice niche? Yes, very. Are tubes good for accurate audio reproduction? Hell no!

http://www.audioresearch.com/ref610T.html
i think you got screwed by a goat

Last edited by Freezer7Pro (2009-05-31 07:27:57)

.Sup wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

.Sup wrote:

no although most high end stereo amps have tubes inside its body

No.

The vacuum tube is a very slow "semiconductor". It takes many times longer to switch than a transistor, thus adding a certain amount of distortion to any high-frequency signal it is processing. Tubes are still used due to the fact that they add that slight distortion, giving them a "warm" and unique sound. Many people, me included, like that sound, and thus have kept tubes on the market. Tubes are, however, nowhere near transistors when it comes to true reference fidelity. It's physically impossible.

Are tubes a nice niche? Yes, very. Are tubes good for accurate audio reproduction? Hell no!

http://www.audioresearch.com/ref610T.html
i think you got screwed by a goat

.Sup wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

.Sup wrote:

http://www.audioresearch.com/ref610T.html
i think you got screwed by a goat

Freezer is totally right. You're never going to get the same fidelity from a valve that you'll get from solid state transistors. It's just easier to get better fidelity from transistors. Which is one reason we don't use valves for computers anymore.

That said, they're a damn sight more durable.

Its easier? Whats that got to do with sound? 70% of music lovers prefer tube amps. Some headphones/speakers sound better with SS amp, some sound better with tube amps. You cannot say one is better than the other.

Bell wrote:

.Sup wrote:

(i think you should state a budget).

Hmm, well am aware the sound card would be the most expensive so I aloted, a max of say, £150 for that, and I thought another £100 would cover, headphones, earphones and a mic.

Ofcourse any savings on one, I could plough into another, that sound card I believe is £150 on OCUK, will dig around some more.

Martyn

Last edited by .Sup (2009-05-31 07:53:30)

Freezer7Pro wrote:

Bell wrote:

.Sup wrote:

(i think you should state a budget).

Hmm, well am aware the sound card would be the most expensive so I aloted, a max of say, £150 for that, and I thought another £100 would cover, headphones, earphones and a mic.

Ofcourse any savings on one, I could plough into another, that sound card I believe is £150 on OCUK, will dig around some more.

Martyn

For a budget like that, it's quite hard to find a well-balanced combo. The only easily available headphone-amp card in the UK seems to be the Essence STX, but it's already £150. If you get it, you're left with only £100 for phones, which is in the lower range

If the DAC .Sup posted is available, it's certainly an option. The question is just the price, which is the same as the Essence STX, it seems.

Freezer7Pro wrote:

.Sup wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

For a budget like that, it's quite hard to find a well-balanced combo. The only easily available headphone-amp card in the UK seems to be the Essence STX, but it's already £150. If you get it, you're left with only £100 for phones, which is in the lower range

If the DAC .Sup posted is available, it's certainly an option. The question is just the price, which is the same as the Essence STX, it seems.

HA its    
£149.99
fits in Martyn's budget perfectly.
I could post some pics if you want.

£150 excluding VAT. With british VAT, the final price is £175 without shipping.

Bell wrote:

Gooners wrote:

Sennheiser HD555

I was looking at them actually, seems alright, the Goldring DR150 Stereo Headphones are about the same price on OCUK, anyone had experience with them?  There almost exactly the same price so either or doesnt fuss me.

Last edited by Bell (2009-05-31 11:05:18)