which soundcard to connect to amp?

[ephemeral]

Ok im quite new to this. Done a fair amount of reading though.

Im currently using the realtek ALC888 on my motherboard.

But ive got an Audiolab 8000A amplifier sitting around which appears to take a coax digital input. Id like to connect this to the computer. I also need to get some bookshelf speakers (Probably Kef Cresta or similar).

I sometimes use headphones a fair bit on the computer as well. But i could probably run these off the amp? once i have it setup.

What sound card would you recommend. Im in the UK so the Chaintech AV710 is out the window.

Ive been looking at:

M Audio Revolution 5.1
M Audio Audiophile 2496 or 192
ESI Juli@
Audiotrak Prodigy Hifi (looks ideal, but cant buy?!)


Do any of these cards stand out? The Rev 5.1 is cheapest. It also has the headphone out socket.

How does the analogue compare between these?

What would you buy and why?

cheers

 

[ephemeral]

argh.. just checked again...

Its an Analogue only amplifier...

so im gonna need a DAC between the computer and this amp if i use it...

Any ideas on how to proceed?

i need a soundcard and DAC it now seems...

 

[poo]

If you are going for a new card and DAC, buy a cheaper sound card and send signal via digital to a more expensive DAC.

Hard to recommend specific devices without a budget, but maybe also look for a DAC with headphone out if you use your phones alot.

 

[ephemeral]

How much would a typical consumer mid end DAC cost?

I was thinking £50 for the soundcard. Which would enable the purchase of the Maudio Rev 5.1 or Audiophile 2496.

thanks

 

[Chri5peed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ephemeral /img/forum/go_quote.gif Its an Analogue only amplifier...

Digital To Analogue converter.

A DAC would have a hard time converting an Analogue signal.

 

[ephemeral]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ephemeral Its an Analogue only amplifier...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chri5peed /img/forum/go_quote.gif Digital To Analogue converter. A DAC would have a hard time converting an Analogue signal.

What im saying is this Audiolab 8000A amplifier only has anologue inputs...

therefore it is an analogue only amplifier

 

[Chri5peed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ephemeral /img/forum/go_quote.gif What im saying is this Audiolab 8000A amplifier only has anologue inputs... therefore it is an analogue only amplifier

I know full well. I have a £150 soundcard and a $300 DAC.

Amplifiers are all Analogue, unless they have a DAC built-in.

 

[ephemeral]

Yeah i think we are saying the same thing in different ways.

Anyway... what DACs are recommended? Could i get something for £50?

The headroom one in your sig looks nice but perhaps a bit expensive for me. What else is out there?

 

[Chri5peed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ephemeral /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah i think we are saying the same thing in different ways. Anyway... what DACs are recommended? Could i get something for £50? The headroom one in your sig looks nice but perhaps a bit expensive for me. What else is out there?

The MicroDAC comes highly recommended here, thats why I got it.

You'd be better off spending $50 on a soundcard or saving a bit more.


I won't go into details, but you should get an Amplifier before you get a DAC.

 

[ephemeral]

I took the plunge, after some reading.

ESI Juli@ should be on its way.

Im going to use the soundcard to do the digital-analogue conversion for now. Eventually in a year or two i'll consider an AV reciever and digital signal from the sound card.



So that means ESI Juli@ + Audiolab 8000A + (bookshelf speakers to be bought)


Currenly looking at Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 and Monitor Audio BR2.

 

[milkweg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chri5peed /img/forum/go_quote.gif I won't go into details, but you should get an Amplifier before you get a DAC.

He already has an amplifier, the Audiolab 8000A.

I have Audiolab 8000A also and I send digital signal from my X-Fi to EMU 0404 USB connected via coax and EMU connects to amp via analog. EMU 0404 USB works good as a DAC and is not too expensive compared to most standalone DAC's in the same class. EMU 0404 offers a lot more than just a DAC though.

 

[Chri5peed]

^ I missed the little it.

What I said is true though. A DAC needs an Amp rather than vice-versa.

 

[ephemeral]

The soundcard has arrived...

installed the drivers ok and it appears to be ok hardware wise no conflicts ect.

Ive connected it to the Audiolab using 2 RCA cables, and set the knob on the audiolab input as Tuner (this is where i plugged it in, in the back, the option were Tape1, Phono, Tuner, CD Disc, Tape2.

I dont have bookshelf speakers atm, so ive got the headphones into the amp using a converter jack.

Im playing music in Itunes merely to try and get this beast working properly.

I can very faintly hear the music, but amidst a lot of noise (line noise/interferance?).

I turn the volume knob on the amp right up.. of course this makes the noise worse and the music is still very faint (unsurprisingly).

Im not quite sure what ive set up wrongly, or where ive missed a simple trick

Any ideas?

cheers

 

[ephemeral]

Its working

Plugged the wrong ports in on the sound card...

Now more music .... less humming

Though there is definitely a small hum noticable at lower noise levels...

Could be computer/internal interferance?

So heres the current setup.. before i get bookshelf speakers...

ESI Juli@ > RCA Cables > Audiolab 8000A Amplifier > Headphones



Thanks for the help everyone

One last thing? Any ideas about how i might reduce the small hum? I think it may only be noticably occuring at very low volume.

 

[Chri5peed]

How good is your Musak?