[venzuel00]

A few people from this forum recommended me to get a pair of paradigm atoms and the NAD L40 for my PC laptop. I was wondering if the "stereo link" is a most to get good sounding out of my laptop with my system mentioned above. I was considering the extigy but i think the stereo link would be much better. What other alternatives do I have to improve my laptop sound? I've heard of a D/IO (whatever it is called) , or the Creek something. I would like some inputs from all you guys... Thanks

 

[venzuel00]

With the stereo link connected to a laptop in combination with any type of amp, headphone, speakers.. would it make it sound similar to a home system?

 

[Audio-Me]

Ego Systems Wamibox
http://egosys.net/1-pro/eng/product/wami_box/wmb.html

 

[venzuel00]

How does this compare to Stereo Link? um...i don't really need recording though??

 

[venzuel00]

What do you think of the Turtle Beach Audiotron? Can this with my laptop be a good source to my home or headphone system?

 

[MirandaX]

I've heard both the Stereo-Link 1200 and the Xitel Hi-Fi Link. Both are great for laptop users. They sound similar (the components inside are supposedly similar too), but the Stereo-Link is definitely better in the lower octaves, perhaps because it uses an external power supply (i.e. more power). The sound quality from the Stereo-Link is comparable to a reasonable CD player. I haven't heard the Extigy, but it may also be a good choice, and you should definitely think about it. Reviews for it as a hardware device have tended to be good, though the included software is apparently awful. The Ego-Sys U2A is another possible choice.

To my knowledge, no one on this board has tried using an ART DI/O with a laptop. I think everyone would agree that this has the potential to provide the best sound, but you would need three things to get it to work: a Xitel Digital Hi-Fi Link, an optical to coaxial converter, then an ART DI/O.

 

[venzuel00]

Would a paradigm atom be enough for my laptop or should I get a an amplifier like NAD L50(only mp3s)? I'm trying to convince my friend that these will decimate any pc speakers like sirocco crossfires or Klipsch Pro Media. Also would they sound better if I use Audiotron or Stereo Link? How would I set these up for a 5.1 system for my laptop( maybe buy 2 pairs and center speaker???I 've read alot of rave reviews about the Audiotron and alot of people are very happy about it.

 

[venzuel00]

Xitel Hi Fi link is half the price of Stereo Link. Is there a big difference in sound quality?? What did you mean by octave? What setup do most people in headfi have for their computers or laptop users?? Nobody has heard about the Audiotron??

 

[markjia]

There is no way you can power the paradigm atoms properly with anything short of an amplifier. Speakers like the klipsch pro media have their own amplier, the atom does not. The atoms may work from ine out, but they would not sound quite poor and nowhere near as good as they could.

 

[venzuel00]

Post your computer setup so i could have an idea of what i should buy to get good sound out of speakers or headphones.

 

[markjia]

Audiophile 2496 -> Art DI/O -> DIY tube amp -> HD-580

 

[MirandaX]

Quote:

Originally posted by venzuel00 Would a paradigm atom be enough for my laptop or should I get a an amplifier like NAD L50(only mp3s)? I'm trying to convince my friend that these will decimate any pc speakers like sirocco crossfires or Klipsch Pro Media. Also would they sound better if I use Audiotron or Stereo Link? How would I set these up for a 5.1 system for my laptop( maybe buy 2 pairs and center speaker???I 've read alot of rave reviews about the Audiotron and alot of people are very happy about it.

With Atoms (or any other real speaker), you'll need an amp (like the L40). There's no doubt that a good speaker setup will be better than a PC speaker setup; how much better depends on what speakers you're comparing. On the other hand, if you need 5.1 sound (for games or whatever), it can start to get expensive to buy real speakers, and you may have to settle for computer speakers. If you primarly listen to music, a pair of real speakers is better. The best option for 5.1 out of a laptop is the Extigy.

You also asked about the Xitel/Stereo-Link differences. The "lowest octave" means the bass. The Stereo-Link has stronger and more realistic bass. Personally, I think the difference in sound is worth the difference in price.

I haven't heard the Audiotron, so I can't comment on that.

My current computer setup is:
ThinkPad -> Stereo-Link -> NAD C320 -> headphones/speakers

 

[venzuel00]

So basically that's why most people prefer to buy the computer speaker if they want to set up a 5.1 system. How does the NAD L40 compare to your C320? I can't find yours, i can only find the C350.

 

[venzuel00]

IBM rocks!!! I have a T20!!!

 

[venzuel00]

MirandaX: do you use any headphone amp/headphone combo with your nad c320? Or is it just headphones and/or speakers?