Optimizing my sound | Stereophile.com

Forums

5 replies [Last post]

Submitted By: Phizmiz23

member

Joined: Sep 12 2012

Posts:

Optimizing my sound

Posted: September 12, 2012 - 9:53am

I have been reading about DACs, and hifi in general in an attempt to learn how to optimize my sound system. Unfortunatly, I still am not sure what to do.

I have a custom built computer that I use for gaming and music listening. I use iTunes because it's easily syncs to my phone and iPod. Unfortunately, most of my music is mp3. From now on I plan on only using lossless.

I have a videocard which runs kind of loud but no sound card.

The computer is connected to an older receive, NAD 7120, via headphone jack to left/right RCA. The receiver powers Polk Monitor 70 floor speakers.

i also have a pretty budget conscious record player, Audio technica At LP60, or my limited but growing vinyl collection.

Bacically, I'm just looking for advice on how to optimize my set up. Do I need a sound card? External DAC? Is there a better way to connect my PC to receiver? I don't mind spending some money but I have a fairly small budget right now.

Thanks for any help!

Submitted By: jackfish

senior member

Location: Western Wisconsin

Joined: Dec 19 2005

Posts:

Optimizing your sound

Posted: September 12, 2012 - 11:16am

If you are getting sound from your PC it has a sound card. It may be integrated in the motherboard but if you get sound from your computer's headphone jack it has one.

What is the manufacturer and model of your motherboard. If the sound facility of the computer can output a digital signal to USB, then you could get a good DAC which should improve things and would almost certainly be warranted if switching to lossless files.

The Audioquest Dragonfly DAC is quite good. What do you consider a "fairly small budget"?

Submitted By: Phizmiz23

member

Joined: Sep 12 2012

Posts:

I have an Asus M4A88TFD-V

Posted: September 12, 2012 - 1:58pm

I have an Asus M4A88TFD-V EVO/USB3 which has a Realtek ALC892 audio chipset.

I was hoping to spend around $100, but I am realizing that may be unrealistic.

Submitted By: jackfish

senior member

Location: Western Wisconsin

Joined: Dec 19 2005

Posts:

The green audio jack on the back is the stereo output

Posted: September 12, 2012 - 5:06pm

using the internal Realtek audio DAC. I believe the computer can be configured to output digital audio to a USB port. There is also an optional SPDIF module that will provide a optical digital output. Even a $100 standalone stereo DAC is probably better than the ten DACs squeezed into the Realtek ALC892 audio chipset.

DACs under $200 worth considering:

NuForce Icon uDAC

HRT HeadStreamer DAC

Audioengine D1 DAC

HRT Music Streamer II

HRT iStreamer DAC

Firestone Audio - Fubar 2 Mk II - USB Audio DAC

Some others I can't think of.

Again, the Audioquest Dragonfly for $250 is a real winner.

Submitted By: mrvco

member

Location: Colorado

Joined: Aug 3 2012

Posts:

Assuming you have a home wifi

Posted: September 12, 2012 - 8:57pm

Assuming you have a home wifi network (Wireless-G or N), I'd buy an Airport Express off eBay for $30 and use the analog output from that to get started. Save up $200-300 and buy a DAC with optical and USB inputs, which you can connect to the AE or directly to your compouter.

I'd also subscribe to iTunes Match and upgrade all of your "matched" MP3's to 256kbps AAC files. Even with an expensive high-resolution system, you will be hard pressed to tell the difference between 256 kbps AAC and lossless.

Submitted By: Phizmiz23

member

Joined: Sep 12 2012

Posts:

im going to hold off on the

Posted: September 13, 2012 - 5:26pm

im going to hold off on the airport express. i have another project to make a home server for media streaming.

I think im going to go with the NuForce Icon uDAC. if i cant tell the difference between that and the mobo DAC i can always return it!

thanks for the help