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Upgrade from Logitech Z-2300

post #1 of 43
5/20/09 at 6:49am
Thread Starter 
I currently have Logitech Z-2300 2.1 speakers that I connect to my PC/iPod via a standard 3.5mm jack. I'm using standard onboard sound. All of my music is MP3 encoded - probably about 50% 128kbps and the rest 192 - 320kbps. I play it with iTunes on my computer.

I'm very happy with the Logitech speakers but I'm interested in upgrading to a low-end bookshelf speaker set. I don't have a clue about speakers setups/amps and whatever... I'd like to use the S/PDIF output of my PC so that I can bypass onboard sound and would like it if I can also plug in my iPod via standard 3.5mm jack.

What should I get? An amp and two speakers? Or bookshelf speakers with built in amps? I've been reading around a lot and stuff but I'm still not absolutely certain how it all works. If I bought bookshelf speakers with an incuilt amp would that be it? i.e. I plug my PC/iPod straight into the speakers?
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post #2 of 43
5/20/09 at 7:19am
If you do buy active speakers, you'd need a audio switchbox to flick between inputs. And somehow able to control master volume of both speakers. For this reason I'd go for a stereo integrated amplifier and a pair of passive speakers. If you want to use the digital out from your soundcard you'll need a DAC.
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post #3 of 43
5/20/09 at 9:46am
Thread Starter 
Ya I thought an amp and passive speakers would be the way to go. Would that be a preamp/powered amp combination?

So the amp wouldn't have S/PDIF input? I suppose obviously not because then it would have to decode the stuff. Then I suppose I'd rather get onboard sound, like an Audigy or similar? DACs and things are quite difficult to source in South Africa. Then what do I use to connect to the amp? Standard 3.5mm jack or what?

And I assume most amps would have enough inputs for me to alternate between my iPod and PC without too much difficulty?

So then what amp/speaker combination should I look at? I'll be able to sell my Z-2300 speakers for the equivalent of $100 so I would probably be looking for something under $300 (about R3000 South African) all in.

Also there is quite a limited selection of this stuff in SA but I'll bare in mind what you say and look for similar options locally. Or I suppose if the speakers aren't too big I could get them shipped from the US.
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post #4 of 43
5/20/09 at 9:54am
1) Either a stereo integrated amplifier or a stereo pre-amplifier & 2 channel poweramp. At your budget you're looking at the former.

Something similar to Arcam Alpha 8 should be suitable. It also has headphone socket and speaker switching.

2) No analogue stereo gear has no digital inputs. You'd either need a DAC to go with stereo pre-amp, or av amp instead of the stereo pre-amp/poweramp, or a av processor plus 2 channel poweramp.
3) Audigy isn't a great card, good for gaming but not fantastic sound quality
4) Most Hi-Fi gear has plenty of inputs, my Arcam Alpha 9 six stereo RCA inputs, and a tape out. Cables depend on the gear, some decent soundcards have RCA but most are 3.5mm stereo.

I'd probably look around for second hand stereo integrated amplifier & bookshelf speakers. You'll also need a couple of line level cables, from ipod to amp, PC to amp, and some speaker cable. 16 gauge should be fine.
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post #5 of 43
5/20/09 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 
1) Ok ya, I'd prefer an integrated option anyway.

2) So rather forget the digital output and get a sound card.

3) So what's a similarly priced alternative better suited do music? I imagine it would be worthless to spend money on nice speakers if I'm still using horrible onboard sound?

4) Ok cool.

Line level cables? Would speaker cable not come with the speakers? Ok well I'll keep that in mind.

I wanted to ask whether it is worth spending money on nicer speakers if my music is all MP3? You don't need lossless music to appreciate the speakers?

Last thing, how will speakers at the price level I suggested compare to my Z-2300s in terms of quality and loudness?

Thanks very much for your help.
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post #6 of 43
5/20/09 at 1:42pm
3) No not really, it'll still sound far better than the Logitech's. You could upgrade from onboard later. Even if you have mp3 also, but I'd try and use higher bitrate, 256kps minimum.
You'll need line level cables plus speaker cable, no speaker cable does not come with speakers.

A £100 second hand pair of speakers will smoke your Logitech's.
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post #7 of 43
5/20/09 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
Ok cool, I'll look into a decent card later down the line.

About half of my library is 128kbps, so there's nothing I can do about that.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is line level cable? Just the cables connecting PC to amp? Or are they higher quality cables or something?
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post #8 of 43
5/20/09 at 4:12pm
I believe he is referring to RCA-mini cables.
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post #9 of 43
5/20/09 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iriverdude View Post
3) No not really, it'll still sound far better than the Logitech's. You could upgrade from onboard later. Even if you have mp3 also, but I'd try and use higher bitrate, 256kps minimum.
You'll need line level cables plus speaker cable, no speaker cable does not come with speakers.

A £100 second hand pair of speakers will smoke your Logitech's.
Vouching this. My budget AV40's smoke those very same logitechs into the ground and back out again. You won't believe what you're missing when you leave the Logitech world of "Mids&Lows."
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post #10 of 43
5/20/09 at 5:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mellows View Post
About half of my library is 128kbps, so there's nothing I can do about that.
Del *.mp3 /s
Then aquire lossless versions. Really if you're getting speakers don't bother with 128kps Mp3, it sounds crap. I recently deleted all <192kps Mp3 as it sounds like a band playing in a metal dustbin.

Actually just remembered have heard £100 speakers recently, sound damn good- and better than any PC system box systems. Speakers in this range have improved last time I demoed a couple wasen't impressed at all.
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post #11 of 43
5/20/09 at 6:27pm
Thread Starter 
Alai,
Cool thanks.

euphoracle,
Good to know!

iriverdude,
Hehe, that isn't really an option. At the end of the day the music is more important that what comes after. I suppose my question is this: will my 128kbps benefit from the new speakers? Will they sound better on new speakers than on the Z-2300? Surely the answer is yes? I enjoy my MP3 tracks now, I just don't want to spend a bunch of money on speakers if my file quality will prevent it from making a difference. Then I'll stay with the Z-2300s until my library is higher quality or I become an audiophile and can no longer stand the poor quality...

Basically, they may sound horrible to someone used to lossless on awesome speakers, but I'm looking for an evolution, not a revolution. (Sorry for being corney, but it seemed to fit the bill.)
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post #12 of 43
5/20/09 at 6:34pm
Yes they'll sound better on higher quality system however it'll be like rubbing your eardrums with a cheese grater as you'll pick out the awful sound quality of 128kps MP3's. If you're into Oasis that won't matter anyway, but if you're into classical, jazz, or acoustical you really should use higher bitrate. Perhaps aquire higher quality mp3's, and delete your 128's as you go along. You're really not doing anything wrong here, you already paid licensing.

I'd rather choose a nicer system and delete the low quality music, than keeping PC speakers with lower bitrate.
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post #13 of 43
5/20/09 at 7:08pm
Lol. Oasis has some bad studio work. And they bump up their db so much, it's annoying. It's like they made their music on iBuds.
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post #14 of 43
5/21/09 at 1:05am
If you're in the mood for a cheap upgrade to your 2300's, try and snag some satellites for the z-680 on ebay (they use a larger 3" tang band driver) should be ~$10-20, you'll need some new cables for them from radioshack (bare wire one end, rca connector on the other, ~$5).

Then for the finishing touch, take an old pair of socks, ball them up, and stuff the port on the subwoofer with them good and tight. You may need to turn the bass level up a bit afterwards.

Enjoy the fact that you now have midrange and no 45hz whalesong.
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post #15 of 43
5/21/09 at 1:58am
Thread Starter 
iriverdude,
Well I don't care much for Oasis but I'm not into classical either - mainly prog rock, post rock, bit of metal and indie/alternative, whatever you want to call it. Sure, I'll try to replace as much as I can with 320kbps music - is that fine? Ya that's what I've been worried about - if I get new speakers and all it does is reveal to me how lacking my file quality is. But I suppose that's not so bad; it'll force me to find higher quality versions.

So pretend I'm not in South Africa. What speaker/amp combo could you recommend me for under 300$, plus a bit extra for cables I suppose... I'm busy trying to find a good local supplier. I also need to find out whether shipping speakers from the US will be feasible.

phork,
Don't think I'll be able to get hold of those satellites in SA, but should I stuff a sock in the subwoofer anyway?
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