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Almost decided on computer audio setup.

T

towert7

2[H]4U
Joined
Dec 18, 2003
Messages
2,930
Hi all.

Soon I will be back in college. I have a computer with an Audigy 2 ZS Platnium sound card.

My goal is to be able to listen to audio from my computer (whether CD, or audio files) eaither with my Sennheiser HD590 headphones, or though bookshelf speakers. I would also like to be able to listen to the radio though both the headphones and bookshelfs.

I will be getting a Denon AVR685s (same as the Denon 1705) receiver and plan to connect this to my sound card by Digital Coaxial cable(no reason to go optical right?).

As for the speakers though, im not sure. I have some very old Altec Lansing Bookshelfs, but they are a little big. I might also look at the Athena AS-B1 (pair for 100$), or the Acoustic Research AVRP26 (pair for 110$). Any thoughts? I know some people have said the athenas are ok for the price, but does anyone have any experience with the new AR's? My dad owns 2 AR bookshelf's from about 2-3 years ago, and they are .... not as good as my Altec Lansing's... (although the soundstage is much better). I'm also throwing around the idea of the fluance SV-6 ($120 a pair). Anyone listen to these, because NO place around me carries them.

Oh, and one other question(most important). With my headphones, would it be any better to drive them thought the Denon Receiver as opposed to just thought my Audigy 2 front plate? Would there be any audio diffrence possible?

~Thanks
 
Mister X said:
Why the Platinum card?
Do you need the extra ins and outs?
Click to expand...
Well, I already have the Platinum card.

And before, when I was in college last year, If i wanted to go from my headphones to my computer speakers, i would have to reach in back and unplug the cable (which was hard because of how the computer was setup in the dorm room(in a tight corner)).

So now I have quick access to my headphone connection right on the front of the computer, and volume control ^_^.

And I also wanted the digital connections for a receiver(even though a 1/8" to RCA would have worked too).
 
I guess you missed the part about the headphone jack on the Live drive sounding worse then the output on the back of the card huh?

As far as the outputs on the front of case goes..... trip over the cable a few times and see how well that works. ;)
 
Mister X said:
I guess you missed the part about the headphone jack on the Live drive sounding worse then the output on the back of the card huh?
Click to expand...
Yea, I missed that :(

Well, I just tried the back 1/8" plug and the front 1/4" plug serveral times (back and forth, same song), and I can't tell a diffrence. Eaither my ears are'nt that attuned, or my headphones are not at the level where it makes much of a diffrence. It sounded fine both ways to me. Anyways, with the level of speakers I'm prepared to settle with for bookshelfs.... LOL. It'll be the speakers that are the limiting factor in this setup I think.

Oh well, my question still stands though. WIll there be a diffrence between my headphones just in the headphone out jack of the audigy 2, or from the Denon Receiver?
I know when I listen to the same song though my dads Older Denon 1801, it does sound a tad bit diffrent. A little more bass and a little more open, or so I think. (from the CD player, over analog to the receiver, right to the headphones in Stero, Tone defeat on).

~Thanks
 
I will be getting a Denon AVR685s (same as the Denon 1705) receiver and plan to connect this to my sound card by Digital Coaxial cable(no reason to go optical right?).
Click to expand...

Im not familiar with the equipment you are getting/using, but to answer your question...no you do not need optical when you have digital coax, both do same thing. Some people argue which is better, but they both are essentially the same thing - provide a digital signal to external processor.

Sorry I cant provide more assistance.
 
the only thing i can add is that digital coax will allow you to go longer then optical, i wanted a run of 50 ft and everyone said go coax, with optical you will get dropout.
 
Noticed you were from Mass., have you gone to the hi-fi shops around Boston to take a listen to some of their bookshelf speakers? It's a good chance to see (listen) to some different brands.
 
No, I have not been to boston (a bit of a drive for me... I'm in western Mass).

Its strange. There are eaither places that sell the low bottom crap, or the high end stuff.... its like there are no inbetween places.

I can't for love no money find places with the 100$ per pair bookshelfs that im interested in. Too bad too.
 
have you listened to any klipsch bookshelfs? the SB-1s are right in your price range and have an awesome theater and pop/rock sound to them (not so great for classical music). This makes them ideal for gaming too, and they will play really loud due to their higher than average sensitivity.
 
Loud music is something I have no use for. A speaker that can preform well at low power, now that's the key to me.

I mostly listen to rock, digital, and classical type music (movie sound tracks). I don't need loud bass, although low bass would be nice. But from the bookshelf's in my price range I understand that it won't equal a good floorstanding one.

And no, I have not seen the Klipsch SB-1's at any local stores.... hm.
 
Well, just as a FYI, I have received my Receiver (haha) and I think its better driving my headphones though my receiver then just the computer itself. I have noticed diffrent sounds in Unreal Tounrament............ that did not show up at the same volume levels when in the sound card. nifty.
 
Well you could try picking up a pair of active monitors. I know a lot of people on the forum recommend them.
 
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