[haiu2323]

Hi all,
 
This is my first thread so go easy on me please!
 
Currently I listen to most of my music through my computer. The diagram below might help you visualize my setup:
 
PC/sound card (Sound Blaster X-fi Titanium HD) --> Schiit SYS (RCA inputs 1) --> LSR305s/Klipsch K100-SW (out SYS's RCA outputs via RCA Y-splitters)
Denon CD player --> Schiit SYS (RCA inputs 2) --> LSR305s/Klipsch K100-SW (out SYS's RCA outputs via RCA Y-splitters)
(Switched via front push button on the SYS) Sys really is a neat little preamp. Passive, 2 ins/1 out, but can be reversed to 2 outs/1 in.
 
PC (USB port) --> Schiit Modi --> Schiit Magni --> Headphones (AKG K7xx, Beyerdynamic DT880 600 ohm, Hifiman He-400i, Grado SR60e, Monoprice 8323)
 
As of right now, when I want to switch to headphones from the speakers, I have to change the playback devices (via 3rd party software), turn on the Magni and then plug the headphones in. I want to do the switch physically just by pressing the button on the SYS going forward. Therefore, I plan to get rid of the Modi/Magni stack, grab a Magni 2 or an Asgard 2 if budget allows. CD player can then go through optical out from the sound card.
 
A very convoluted setup I have here, I know. Anyone seeing a possible issue with this setup?
 
I tend to have my computer on almost 24/7 (utilities-included rent FTW!). Sometimes I restart every 2 weeks or so. Sometimes I go for months without rebooting the system.
 
Sporadic audio issues I have with current setup:
 
1. After a while, all of a sudden, the audio will produce crackling noise and continue that way (only a very few times it reverts back to normal again). Changing bit depth/sampling rate in audio option for the sound card always solves this problem. Is it because I have my computer on constantly and the sound card just craps out?
 
2. After I acquired the JBL LSR305s, from time to time, I would hear these random jitters/stutters in sound coming from the speakers. So far I haven't been able to narrow it down to what might have caused it. I was thinking perhaps the y-splitters splitting the signal from the SYS to the speakers and sub might be of poor quality. Any ideas?
 
Any suggestions or advice are welcome.
 
Thank you all.
Hai

 

[Jenson]

That crackling noise might be produced by your soundcard, there are some known issues with it e.g. http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=24669
 
In my opinion PC soundcard might not be optimal DAC, especially as some PSU's are quite noisy (EMI). I would prefer sound signal from pc via usb or hdmi to separate dac/pre-amp and then to loudspeakers or headphone. Hopefully people with more knowledge can confirm this.

 

[haiu2323]

Thank you for the link to Creative's support article.
 
1. Regarding the crackling noise: the support article seems to focus more on crackling sound when gpu under load (in-game, OCed etc.). I do have an OC profile for my 970 but only apply it in-game. For daily use, I use the stock profile (+0 voltage offset, 110% TDP, +0 offset both core and memory clock). I watch TV show streams, Youtube video content which I don't think are that gpu-intensive. What's weird is by just changing the bit depth/sampling rate that helps solve the crackling sound.
 
2. Regarding sound card as DAC: this is what I'm afraid to hear. Deep down I would still prefer a dedicated external DAC. However, knowing that the Titanium HD is equipped with the TI Burr-Brown PCM1792A chip which is quite decent and has worked quite well for me over the year, i think keeping it will save me a lot of dough from upgrading. But separating the DAC from the motherboard circuitry and perhaps providing more than just usb-power to it sound very tempting.
 
Will do a little bit more digging.
 
Thanks.