Newbie laptop audio questions

Aug 27, 2009 at 12:54 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 15

ericinmd

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Forgive me, I'm still trying to figure all this out. I'm thinking about ditching my idea of getting a new iPod or other DAP because the more I've thought about it, I spend the majority of my time with my laptop at home.

I'm thinking about putting the money into a laptop based desktop audio system instead. I do have a few questions:

1.) I have a very basic low end laptop. A Compaq C555NR running Vista Basic. Now, if I get a amp/dac that hooks into the USB port, the fact that this is a crappy laptop will have no affect on the sound since it bypasses it correct?

2.) I understand I can buy an amp and dac, or a single amp/dac unit. What I do not understand is the power supplies I see. Would I want a power supply too?

3.) If I already have the laptop and headphones, how much would these other 2 or 3 components cost me roughly. I should say, what would they start at (combined)?
 
Aug 27, 2009 at 3:37 AM Post #4 of 15
Thanks guys. This would be a headphones only system, sorry I forgot to mention that. If there is anything else I overlooked in the OP it's because I know very little about this.
 
Aug 28, 2009 at 12:23 AM Post #5 of 15
I'm looking for suggestions. Let me give you an idea of what I'm trying to accomplish..

I live in a small apartment. I sleep strange hours due to illness. Music and internet is basically what I have to entertain myself. I try to be respectful of my neighbors and that what led me to thinking about headphones and ultimately to head-fi. As you can probably tell I don't know a lot about this stuff. I had a Yamaha CA-1000 integrated amp and a Yamaha CD player along with some Kilpsch speakers back in 1985 when I was a teenager and that was the last stereo equipment I ever owned. I have an iPod which is really my wifes, and my formentioned laptop which I use iTunes with. With the help of this site I have purchased some Grado SR80i's from Headroom (on their way).

This has had me thinking about my next step. A portable rig? A laptop rig? Another component stereo with a receiver and stand alone CD player? I guess I have a few choices but don't truly understand any of them or what they would cost. I have a limited income but a lot of patience. I tend to buy entry to mid level products whos performance exceeds their price class or atleast try to. In this case it's hard to make an educated decision when I don't understand my choices.

I'm leaving all options open but I figure a laptop rig makes a lot of sense in my situation. I'm on the internet off and on throughout the day and also have a nice chair in my computer room I like to kickback in. I rarely get to leave home unless it's a doctor visit or about once per week I spend the day at my parents home. So I figure the laptop rig would work out well. right in front of me when I'm on the net (duh), in the room when I relax in the chair, and always taken to my parents home on those visits.

So I have the laptop, and the headphones. Now I need to know what my options are. Should I get an amp/dac like the total bithead or should I try for something better? Should I stay with a portable amp/dac like that or can the desktop amps be easily taken with me when I visit my folks each week for the day? What are the pros and cons of the different ways I could go?

Please give me some ideas. I'd greatly appreciate some help.
smily_headphones1.gif
 
Aug 29, 2009 at 2:51 AM Post #10 of 15
Maybe I'll just buy a receiver or integrated amp and a stand alone cd player. I could use it with my phones and when we move out of this apartment, some speakers if I want..

I saw a Yamaha something or other ends with RX-497 I believe. A 2 channel receiver that cost about $350 new. Rated at a conservative 75 watts per channel. Now what kind of quality could I expect from the headphone port on something like that compared to a laptop rig with amp/dac? I think the Yamaha has some sort of a selectable direct setting that bypasses the tone controlls for the cleanest sound.

I just thought this would serve me well at home and then I'd still have my iPod and laptop for when I need to be portable and could maybe amp them up in the future. any thoughts?
 
Aug 30, 2009 at 6:48 AM Post #12 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by ericinmd /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I saw a Yamaha something or other ends with RX-497 I believe. A 2 channel receiver that cost about $350 new. Rated at a conservative 75 watts per channel. Now what kind of quality could I expect from the headphone port on something like that compared to a laptop rig with amp/dac? I think the Yamaha has some sort of a selectable direct setting that bypasses the tone controlls for the cleanest sound.


Regarding the headphone jack on amps/receivers they generally use some resistors to adjust the power level to match a generic headphone. This is not the optimum situation as the resulting source impedance will interact with the headphone load impedance and give unpredictable results. I have experimented with source impedances as low as 10 ohms driving headphones with loads of 32, 64, 72, 120, 300, etc.) and the difference is noticeable. For best results with full-size headphones the source impedance should be less than 1 ohm. There are exceptions like certain earphones and headphones which work properly with specific source impedances like 120 ohms (DIN standard?) but this is not normal in my experience.
 
Aug 30, 2009 at 6:52 AM Post #13 of 15
Consider the Harman Kardon HK3490 if you want a stereo receiver. it can be had for around 330$ new. 120W per channel, high current, dual subwoofer out, dolby headphones(DH1), plenty of inputs and it looks pretty damn good. The headphones out actually sounds pretty good. I can't really tell a difference between it and the HP amp of my Essence STX.
 
Aug 30, 2009 at 11:44 AM Post #15 of 15
Thanks guys. Was also wondering, and keep in mind I'm clueless how most of these systems work together but trying to figure it out... Is it common practice for someone to take a stand alone CD player (such as a 5-disc for example), sit it on a desk or table and use it with what I guess you guys are referring to as a "desktop amp" and a suitable power supply like one that matches the amp? I assume that if it is a common thing to do that you could use a desktop DAC also but probably redundant if it's a high end CD player with a good built-in DAC, correct?
 

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