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Need PC audio help and answers..

post #1 of 7
2/14/12 at 11:26am
Thread Starter 

Good day all.

First off, my name is Bob and I’m an audiophile. That being said, 95% of my listening is from my main system, but, I spend the rest of my time on my Windows XPS pc searching and listening to music for purchase; be it SACD’s, vinyl or blu-ray audio. My pc has the pre-installed soundcard along with plug in speakers... :(

 

I’ve just purchased a Cambridge Audio 651 amp along with a pair of B&W CM1’s.

The amp has the RCA I/O’s along with a USB audio connection. The USB supports 16-bit/32kHz, 44.1kHz, or 48kHz audio…

 

1)      Should I buy a soundcard that has RCA outputs? If so, would you guys be kind enough to suggest a few for me to research.

2)      Should I just use the USB connection from my PC?

 

Thanks in advance for any help or PC audio advice.beerchug.gif

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post #2 of 7
2/14/12 at 11:55am
Do you want quality RCA stereo preouts?
Any USB DAC would work, I suggest the HRT Music Steamer II. It runs in asychronous mode and sounds good. There is a thread in this forum section where a few folks are having issues with WASAPI but I think the unit is nice. I made my buddy buy one.
Then you have a portable source. Drivers are plug and play, rather easy.
You could just use USB to the amp but I doubt the DAC in your amp is that great and I doubt it works in asynchronous mode.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk
Edited by headfinoob - 2/14/12 at 11:58am
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post #3 of 7
2/14/12 at 12:30pm
Thread Starter 

I would like to keep it on-board if it all possible. The RCA connect quality would be high on my list, I have a pair of Jw audio cables I plan on using... + momma bear gave me the ole stink-eye look when I told her I needed a new part (soundcard).. A new usb-dac might cause a war ☺

 

 

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post #4 of 7
2/14/12 at 1:38pm
If you are audiophile than you should clearly hear that onboard audio is crap so enjoy audiophile quality you should get either separate DAC which should be capable output 24 bit / 96khz or better and than use RCA out to RCA in of the amp or you could use sac/amp in one. The sound card I could recommend is Asus Dinar ST/STX depending what kind of slots your computer's motherboard has available but I don't know how really good RCA out quality is since I use only headphones out but you should have no problem finding necessary information in appropriate thread in this forum
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post #5 of 7
2/14/12 at 2:09pm

I vote go USB from PC to amp.

I'm sure your $800 amp comes with at least decent (or better) DACs.

Using RCAs means your using the cheap DAC built into your PC's motherboard.

Also electrical noise inside the computer case might affect the analog (wave) audio signal inside the computer (RCAs are analog).

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post #6 of 7
2/14/12 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 

Hey Brooklyn,

 

Thanks man, yes I know crap when I hears it. I have know idea when it comes to listening via PC though. Then trying to pick out a card!!!!!

 

I looked at the card you suggested and it looks great thanks........ I read a post someplace, said to stay away from the M-Audio 192...beerchug.gif

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post #7 of 7
2/14/12 at 5:22pm
Thread Starter 

PA,

 

Been reading up on your answer, I believe your correct sir. PC usb to amp usb will/should give me the sound quality that I'm looking for.

 

Thanks

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