I was actually in the market for a volume controller, I decided to invest in a stepped attenuator over a potentiometer because I had heard that they lasted much longer and were completely passive. I wound up getting this:  ...

Resurrecting this thread (if thats allowed) because I'm also interested in getting the SM Pro Audio Nano Patch Plus:   http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Patch-Passive-Volume-Controller/dp/tech-data/B005HQWP5U/ref=de_a_smtd   I just had a question, as I looking into passive volume controllers I...

Quote:   I apologize for taking so long to respond. I've been doing a lot of research into monitor controllers and I keep running into alot of opposing opinions (passive vs. active, potentiometers vs. stepped attenuators, transparent vs. not transparent, etc). So I just wanted to get an...

I'm moving from a sound card to a dedicated USB DAC. The DAC has no volume control and I'm using a pair of M-Audio BX5a Deluxe monitors. Controlling volume from Windows is a pain and adjusting the volume at the back of each is worse. I was considering a USB knob like the PowerMate one when I...

If you really don't care about sound quality then Newegg has a few that are dirt cheap: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Input Devices,Sound Cards,USB

Is the Sound Blaster X-Fi HD customizable as well (as in replaceable op-amps)? Also, do they both support OpenAL in hardware? The PCI-E card probably does, but does the USB version have hardware support as well?

Quote: Originally Posted by FallenAngel USB has faster "bursts" than FireWire, but sustained, FireWire is faster. As for "related to audio", the USB receivers in DACs generally use USB 1.1 drivers anyway. Has there been ANY interest in updating the USB-Audio spec? I mean...

Quote: Originally Posted by Bluesfella Just how big is the difference between x-fi and non x-fi in games? Is it something only the true audiophiles will hear, or is it really clear to anyone? Do the games you play support EAX? If not, you won't notice a difference between an...

Quote: Originally Posted by leeperry you can't swap op-amps on CL cards, and their drivers is one huge piece of bloatware. well, most of the Audiotrak Prodigy line runs envy24, and many asian cards run it too...like all the Onkyo cards or these ones: COMRADE DIGITAL 7.1 Hi-Fi (4...

The M-Audio BX5As accept a balanced input. They're $299.99 for a pair, but as the previous pointed out I don't know if you consider that cheap or not. M-Audio BX5a Deluxe | Sweetwater.com M-Audio BX5A Deluxe from zZounds.com!

Well, the obvious answer would be to try both and listen to hear which sounds better. But to give an actual answer, since the Keces 131 is a dedicated DAC I imagine it'll do a better job than a receiver. But given that I haven't listened to it I can't say with any certainty. As for the CDP...

This is off-topic but, don't you think buying a Compass is overkill if you just need a DAC?

Quote: Originally Posted by chud whats the difference between the green and black? The Green spins at a slower speed than the Black (5400RPM vs. 7200RPM) and uses less power. This means the Green should run a little cooler and is better suited for being in a not actively cooled...

I went with a separate hard drive and enclosure for my backup drive. I grabbed a 1TB WD Caviar Green from ZipZoomFly: WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar® Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA II 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer Hard Drive Bulk at ZipZoomfly And got the enclosure from OWC: OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Quad...

Quote: Originally Posted by FallenAngel Nobody is saying that ECC is "required", but it's designed for a reason it's a valid reason. Of course its valid...for servers, workstations, and any system that is running mission critical software. Something that home desktop computers...

Quote: Originally Posted by FallenAngel I would consider ANY memory errors a bad thing and consider them to "make a difference in home machines". If you do not, that is completely your choice. When it comes to stating that it "does not make a difference" and recommending against ECC is...

Quote: Originally Posted by linuxworks home machine: tend to be undercooled, run by amateurs and using cheap hardware with essentially no PM done by the operators. home machine: doesn't run an enormous search engine and database that is servicing hundred of thousands (if not...

Quote: Originally Posted by linuxworks I work for a large workstation and computer company. our stuff is meant to run 7x24 and it has 'server class' memory which is ALWAYS ecc based. if ecc was such a waste, why do the big guys swear by it? Try actually reading their posts and...

I use Windows because of its ease of use, its utterly massive library of commercial and open-source software and professional support. It helps that I've never had to pay full price for a Windows license. I've used Ubuntu and Linux Mint but I was never compelled to jump ship.

Quote: Originally Posted by runswithaliens <snip> Quote: Originally Posted by 1Time <snip> I want to thank you both for making this thread. I was having many of the same problems you outlined with the AD700 (mainly, it put way too much pressure under my ears)...

I've been seriously considering converting my FLAC files to AAC for use on my Sansa. What are you using for encoding?

I've heard nothing but good things about them, unfortunately I don't own them myself. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/n0...an-m10-298863/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/sm...ns-m10-267419/ Those are threads reviewing the M10s, they also give it good marks.

From what I've heard about the X-Fi Forte, you shouldn't need a DAC. The built-in headphone amp on the Forte has gotten alot of positive reviews, from what I've read. At the very least, wait for your headphones to come in and try them on the Forte before considering buying into a DAC.

Quote: Originally Posted by Traddad Thanks a bunch! The FoxL is about perfect but or the price....Small size and reportedly good sound....but I only plan on using it while traveling, etc. and can't bring myself to spend $200+- for a set of speakers that get used only episodically...

Swan M10 The Swan M10s would be your best bet. They're selling for $109 at that website.