Want Better sound =\

[0V3RC10CK3D]

My current setup is as follows

Creative X-Fi Platinum Soundcard in my computer
Blue Jeans Cable BJC MSA-1 1/4" to RCA's
Gilmore Lite w/ DPS + Zu Birth power cable
HD-650 Headphones w/ stock cable

What can I do to improve sound quality? It's still not as good as
I'd like. Is using my computer as a source a bad thing? I've been listening to Apple Lossless rips of audio files straight from CD's w/ iTunes. I have my Master Volume set to 75% and the Wave Volume set to 75%

 

[LeonvB]

You could try to mod the soundcard, or start looking for a DAC you like. There's also the new Auzentech or Asus soundcards to look out to: they should be better than the Creative in sound quality.

 

[0V3RC10CK3D]

Is the X-Fi that bad? Would an EMU or M-Audio product be better? Which?

Am I not listening to high enough quality music? Right of CD's is pretty good right?

What about the volume settings for the PC? How do I tell with 0.0% dB amplification is via the sound card so i can let the amp take care of it's job?

 

[poo]

If you decide to get a DAC then your soundcard is fine. Just use its digital output (coax or optical) for output through the DAC. Even without a DAC your sound should already be pretty good with your gear.

Quality of music also seems fine - lossless of any sort will do the job really.

I would also like more info on your last question regarding 0% dB from the card. I am using an EMU 1212m and just keep an eye on the gain setting of the patchmix software to make sure it isn't clipping, but I'm sure there must be a better way to ensure you are getting the most from the card (without being too much) before the signal hits the amp. I presume your X-Fi also uses Patchmix (?) so hope this isn't too off topic...

 

[LeonvB]

Quote:

Is the X-Fi that bad?

It could do a lot better. Esp. changing the opamps improves the sound a lot.
I must say the Auzentech Prelude looks like a very good choice, at least on paper:
http://www.auzentech.com/site/produc...featuresummary
It already has a LM4562NA opamp, plus it uses better AKM DAC chips.

Quote:

Am I not listening to high enough quality music? Right of CD's is pretty good right?

Lossless is the same as listening to the original PCM stream. It just takes a little processorpower to decode it. I'd listen from the HDD, as most of the time that's a less noisy solution.

 

[TheVinylRipper]

What is it that you do not like about your current sound quality?

 

[Bootleg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVinylRipper /img/forum/go_quote.gif What is it that you do not like about your current sound quality?

I was gonna ask the same thing!!! LOL!

 

[Logistics]

Get the Kernel Streaming plugin for Winamp and use Winamp... or Foobar... I think there is a plugin for Foobar, too!

And since you're using an external amplifier, if you're up to the task, I would change the output capacitors to films. It made a huge difference on my SbLive! card.

 

[Jigglybootch]

I would either mod the sound card or run the digital out to an external DAC. Modding is the cheaper way to go, though.

 

[0V3RC10CK3D]

What kind of external DAC would you recommend? I hear too much static in quiet parts of songs. And the music doesn't sound detailed enough.

 

[Jigglybootch]

There are a lot of DACs I could recommend. It all depends on what kind of money you're willing to spend.

 

[TheVinylRipper]

By static, do you mean a hissing sound?

If you listen with the volume turned up to the same level but with nothing playing, do you get the same static?

 

[romanalexander]

I am no expert but I do know the HD650's have high impendance (300) so keep that in mind also, once I added a cardas cable to my HD600's the sound was greatly improved.
Good luck.

 

[Chu]

I really would start with the sound card. Going from an X-Fi to an X-Mod was an incredible difference. A dedicated DAC would also fill this role, albeit much more expensive (although it looks like you do have the cash on hand to do it).

Starting with the cable on such a poor source is a waste of money.

 

[jinp6301]

try for a cheap dac like the entech or something like that