[fleasbaby]

Hi All,
 
I listen to a fair variety of sources...a CD player, a turntable and my PC, all routed through a traditional integrated amp (Onkyo A8087).
 
At the moment my PC to amp setup is pretty rough and ready. I use a cable with a 3.5 mm jack on one end and RCA plugs on the other to go from the sound card speaker out on the PC to the auxiliary on the integrated amp...I am looking to remedy this and have been looking at the following two items:
 
The Fii0 D3:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-Analog-Audio-Converter/dp/B0053VKP8S/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3J8DZJ37BZ4P9&colid=3TW87ZOEJE9HS
 
The HRT Music Streamer II:
http://www.amazon.com/HRT-Music-Streamer-II-Resolution/dp/B0038O4UFQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I39HGWBIG9U424&colid=3TW87ZOEJE9HS
 
I was hoping to get a little advice on which would be better, and if one of these items alone, as an interface between the PC and the integrated amp will provide a better listening experience. Could anyone assist?
 
Thanks.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Hi All,
I listen to a fair variety of sources...a CD player, a turntable and my PC, all routed through a traditional integrated amp (Onkyo A8087).
At the moment my PC to amp setup is pretty rough and ready. I use a cable with a 3.5 mm jack on one end and RCA plugs on the other to go from the sound card speaker out on the PC to the auxiliary on the integrated amp...I am looking to remedy this and have been looking at the following two items:
The Fii0 D3:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-Analog-Audio-Converter/dp/B0053VKP8S/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3J8DZJ37BZ4P9&colid=3TW87ZOEJE9HS
The HRT Music Streamer II:
http://www.amazon.com/HRT-Music-Streamer-II-Resolution/dp/B0038O4UFQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I39HGWBIG9U424&colid=3TW87ZOEJE9HS
I was hoping to get a little advice on which would be better, and if one of these items alone, as an interface between the PC and the integrated amp will provide a better listening experience. Could anyone assist?
Thanks.

As the only input on the Onkyo is RCA (L/R), I do not think it's worth it to change anything.
What sound card do you have in the computer?
I would say the next change would be to buy a new (or used) receiver with a Digital input.
 
 

 

[cantsleep]

how about just http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E7-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/tech-data/B003E6K1VK/ref=de_a_smtd

 

[fleasbaby]

Hmmmm...I was thinking bypassing the stock sound card that came with the PC using one of the two devices and a USB port, and going from the device to the integrated amp via an RCA might improve sound quality. Is this not the case?
 
I have an E7, but plugging it into the integrated doesn't help. It needs to be docked into one of these to be used for listening out loud:
 
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Desktop-Headphone-Amplifier-Dock/dp/B004M172FY/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_c
 
 

 

[alexsj]

I've been using the HRT music streamer II for some time.  It is a very good asynchronous usb dac.  I have it plugged into my amp via RCA cables.  It should improve the sound quality over a stock PC sound card.  Also I'd go for something like the HRT music streamer with a line out into your amp over a dac with a variable out and a volume pot.  I have not heard the FiiO D3 but I doubt it's in the same league.  You might want to look into upgrading your PC sound card as an alternative. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Hmmmm...I was thinking bypassing the stock sound card that came with the PC using one of the two devices and a USB port, and going from the device to the integrated amp via an RCA might improve sound quality. Is this not the case?
I have an E7, but plugging it into the integrated doesn't help. It needs to be docked into one of these to be used for listening out loud:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Desktop-Headphone-Amplifier-Dock/dp/B004M172FY/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_c

I'm going to guess with the Fiio, it's better just to not use the Onkyo and just plug the headphones straight in the Fiio (With the output of the computer running to the Fiio input)
 
 

 

[fleasbaby]

Hmmm, well, I think the HRT item is probably what I am looking for. It actually has a USB in, which is what I need, and Stereophile gave the older versions of the product a fairly confident thumbs up...to be honest I think I might have been barking up the wrong tree with the Fii0. Looks like it was made for something else entirely.

 

[trog]

If u use the E7 best get the L7 line out kit as w/o it you would use the headphone jack with headphone amp (1 of 2) to feed a stereo amp Actually are u running cans, speakers or both?

 

[fleasbaby]

Mostly speakers. The E7 I use with my portable setup (a pair of Grado SR60, a Rockboxed 2007 iPod Classic). Started the thread as I am looking to improve my home setup a little...

 

[trog]

Hmm perhaps state what speakers u on and what aspect u want to improve i.e general SQ, more low end, etc and it could be starting off with better speakers in the chain could bring the biggest improvement