[TexDanny]

Hi all, if this is not the right forum for this kind of post please forgive me and move it.

I've heard this is a good source for information about sound equipment but because my question is very specific and I don't know where to start I'll just post it here and hope that someone helps me out.

I'm looking to buy a new decent high quality sound system for my "office" but I'm not sure what would I need. I currently have two computers and I'd like them to share the same sound system. Also, I'd like to change between headphones and speakers liberally.

My contention is that I need to connect my two computers to an amp using something like a mixer that would allow me to choose what computer I want to listen to. Would it be possible to listen to both simultaneously? i.e one with headphones and the other one with speakers? Am I totally wrong about how to go about this problem?

Please, enlighten me, how would you do it?

The only thing I'll be keeping from my current sound system is my headphones (AKG K701). Feel free to recommend me good equipment (not top of the line) for the rest of components.

 

[TexDanny]

What if I also want to connect a TV to the same sound system?

 

[LUCIDD]

Looks like all you need is a decent reciever: yamaha, pioneer, denon, onkyo, all make decent recievers for about $300-500...
Depending on your budget of course... What is your budget? Any of these modern recievers will have enuff inputs for your 2computers, and tv.
Then buy some good bookshelf speakers- Polk audio/paradigm make some nice ones/ good quality. I'd get some Audioengine ap4 bookshelves... Then add subwoofer if you like. Then, upgrading is easy... And the recievers these days are mostly 5.1 channels- so if you want, you can add the 3 other speakers... And get 5.1 surround.

The cheaper way would be to get some active monitors- like a 2.0 system... Look at the audioengine a5 for example.. 2.0 system that can be mater with sub if you want. It only has 2 inputs I believe- so you may need to use a rca splitter.

 

[TexDanny]

A reciever is just what I'm looking for, thanks a lot. Budget is not a huge concern right now and the price range you have given me seems very reasonable.

Since sound is coming from the computers would I need to get sound cards for them or are the mobos sound cards enough?

What features should I be looking for in the reciever in terms of inbound/outbound selectors (choosing computer 1 or 2 or TV/speakers or headphones)? Maybe a remote control?

 

[CDewey]

You can easily run 2 computers off of 1 receiver. However, generally, when you plug in headphones, it will disable the speaker output. There are receivers that are "multizone". You could run your speakers off of the zone 2 output, and when you plug in your headphones, you can turn on zone 2 and have both playing. Most multizone receivers will not let you send a digital signal to the 2nd zone, the source would need to come in analog. You would want a good soundcard, or an outboard DAC to have the 2nd zone sound as good as possible.

 

[LUCIDD]

Np... And as far as your dac question, Well, the answer can be a complicated one.

This depends on your 2 computers. What type of output does it have other than RCA? Does it have spdif (coax or optical or hdmi)?

All of the new recievers already have a dac in there... Mine is a pioneer reciever- 7.1 channel with a 192khz 24bit dac built in. It does a pretty good job in my opinion- but then again, I have no experience with external dacs or the newer soundcards.

Also, most recievers come with a remote... Than can switch from multiple sources- ie from your comp1 to comp2 to tv to am/fm radio to DVD/cd player etc. Theses are all very basic functions of newer recievers.

I have mine hooked up to 1comp, ps3, tv, headphones, and dac-ing to my monitor 2.0 speakers.. Or simply outputing to my 7.1 klipsch speakers.

 

[TexDanny]

I've changed my mind and won't get a TV for the office as it would just be a distraction for me. Maybe an AV receiver is not needed for what I want. I'll try to do my best to explain it.

I need to be able to freely choose what/where I want to listen to. For example, sometimes I'd like to listen to both computers simultaneously with the speakers. Sometimes I'd like to listen to comp1 with speakers and comp2 with headphones or viceversa. Or maybe I want to listen to both computers simultaneously with headphones.

Speakers/headphones will be used to listen to music for the most part. I want to buy some nice 2.1 front speakers and subwoofer. Additionally, I want to buy a high quality mic for voice recordings, skype, etc.. so I'd need a place to hook it.
Keep in mind that my computers have an integrated sound card.

What components would you buy and how would you connect them to achieve high quality sound both ways? (in mic, out speakers)

 

[Hybrys]

Comp1 --> USB --> DAC --> Amp --> Switching Station --> Speakers/Headphones
Comp2 --> SPDIF --^

OR

Comp1 --> USB --> DAC --> Amp --> Speaker Wire --> Speakers
Comp2 --> SPDIF --^ ............... --> 1/4" out --> phones

As for Skype/recordings, I'd just find a nice gaming headset. Usually those have decent quality mics and sound. You don't really need to step up to a high quality mic unless you're doing something VERY important... And not over Skype. <_<

 

[TexDanny]

May I please get an example of a switching station? First time I've ever heard of it and my google skills seem to be off. Thanks a lot for the illustration

 

[Hybrys]

Uhhh, definitely don't get this one, BUT in ex:

http://electronicsusa.com/mk2hookup.gif

 

[TexDanny]

Quick doubt about this setup:
Comp1 --> USB --> DAC --> Amp --> Speaker Wire --> Speakers
Comp2 --> SPDIF --^ ............... --> 1/4" out --> phones

How am I going to listen to both computers at the same time with the speakers or headphones? All the DACs I've been looking at that have usb and optical inputs also have an input selector. If for example I choose the optical input (comp2) I won't be able to listen to comp1, am I right?

 

[Hybrys]

You need to MIX them together? I thought you just wanted to have them both hooked up at a minimal cost.

Comp1 --> USB --> DAC -->Reciever that can mix or a mini sound board --> The same amp --> Speaker Wire --> Speakers
----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
Comp2 --> USB --> DAC -->Reciever that can mix or a mini sound board --> The same amp or mixer phones out.

That's getting to be some tall order, though.