swmtnbiker
Previously known as dpippel
OK, promise me you won't laugh.
We all know from experience that on-board PC audio usually sucks. It's safe to assume that you're gonna upgrade to something better if you're a Head-Fier and you use your computer as a headphone source. So here's my big smack-down surprise - I picked up a new HP Pavilion DV6226US notebook a few days ago for work-related uses. It's got one of Intel's new Dual Core T2060 1.6 GHz processors, 2GB DDR2 RAM (I upgraded it from 1GB), 160GB SATA HD, Intel 950 Graphics, wireless b/g, DVD +/-R and +/-RW, etc., etc. It's also got Conexant "high definition" on-board audio that offers line out, headphone out, and SPDIF optical out (nice).
Tonight I'm doing some work on this puppy in the dining room, and was enjoying a beer while listening to my Shuffle with my Etymotic ER-4Ps (foamies). Out of curiosity I decided to plug the Etys into the headphone out of the HP and WOW, they actually sound REALLY GOOD! I was stupefied! I'm using J. River Media Center streaming FLAC files over a 54Mbps wireless connection from an external USB HD on my main system downstairs and outputting via Windows Vista DirectSound. I can't believe it, but there really is some synergy with this setup. The 4Ps are singin'! This combo sounds 10X better than my Shuffle with the Etys. What a nice surprise! I've listened to the headphone out on this machine with my K81DJs and it sounds OK, but it's certainly nothing to write home about. This is a different animal all together. I'm still gonna pick up a TBH or other external DAC/amp combo to take on the road, but if I want to travel light it's nice to know that I've got a very simple setup here that is no slouch AT ALL in the audio quality department. Bonus!
BTW, I've experimented with feeding my CIAudio VDA-1 the optical output from this HP and it compares VERY favorably with my ESI @Juli.
Tonight I'm doing some work on this puppy in the dining room, and was enjoying a beer while listening to my Shuffle with my Etymotic ER-4Ps (foamies). Out of curiosity I decided to plug the Etys into the headphone out of the HP and WOW, they actually sound REALLY GOOD! I was stupefied! I'm using J. River Media Center streaming FLAC files over a 54Mbps wireless connection from an external USB HD on my main system downstairs and outputting via Windows Vista DirectSound. I can't believe it, but there really is some synergy with this setup. The 4Ps are singin'! This combo sounds 10X better than my Shuffle with the Etys. What a nice surprise! I've listened to the headphone out on this machine with my K81DJs and it sounds OK, but it's certainly nothing to write home about. This is a different animal all together. I'm still gonna pick up a TBH or other external DAC/amp combo to take on the road, but if I want to travel light it's nice to know that I've got a very simple setup here that is no slouch AT ALL in the audio quality department. Bonus!
BTW, I've experimented with feeding my CIAudio VDA-1 the optical output from this HP and it compares VERY favorably with my ESI @Juli.