How Would you get Ideal Sound Quality On A Desktop

[TJWhonley]

Hi guys I would like to know how you think is the best way of achieving incredible sound quality on a desktop PC.
all opinions appreciated.

 

[Stappa]

Easy m8,run your hdmi from your gfx card to a decent A/V amp and speakers set up(also run pc speakers from onboard sound & run your 'True' 5.1 headset from your sound card) that's what I've done

 

[mantadog]

Step 1. buy a very high quality sound card.

Step 2. Make sure you have money no object speakers/headphones

Step 3. Make sure your playing top quality sounds in the first place. Compressed audio files wont do you wany favous if you have spent alot of money on getting the best speakers and a nice sound card

Depends how much you have to spend but even a mid range set of speakers would go a long way to improving sound quality vs a pair of cheap ones.

 

[TJWhonley]

@Stappa
i already have that but I'm more talking music production, high end gaming that sort of thing.
to answer an inevitable FAQ yes i can notice these kinds of differences.

 

[Stappa]

@Stappa
i already have that but I'm more talking music production, high end gaming that sort of thing.
to answer an inevitable FAQ yes i can notice these kinds of differences.

I have no idea about music production m8, I use my AV setup for films/music and occasional gaming and my pc speakers/headset for gaming/HD video editing while at my desk,but I've found that cheapish soundcards(£60-£100 ish are far better than onboard sound lol

 

[TJWhonley]

so would you need a new mobo for a new soundcard?

 

[mantadog]

so would you need a new mobo for a new soundcard?

unless you have already maxed out the expansion slots on your motherboard you wont need to ge a new one.

 

[TJWhonley]

how many expansion slots does the asus p8z68-v lx have? i am looking to put 2 amd raedon 6950's in plus a decent soundcard. if not could you recommend one that would hold the mentioned products. thanks

 

[tom_gr7]

Wht do you plan to connect to the sound card?

I'd suggest an asus sound card over creative. I had a creative one and well to cut a long story short it was naf, took it out and settled with onboard.

here s links to loads of Asus sound cards, depending on what usin for.

1. gaming = http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Gaming
2. home theatre = http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Home_Theater
3. music enthusiasts = http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Music_Enthusiastic#Audio_Cards

 

[liquid]

If you have a decent hi fi system by far the best way is to buy a sound card with a digital out (the creative ones used to apply some nasty processing prior to the digital out, price is not a factor here as you are looking for a pure signal only. I was using one once that only cost about £12 as on an audiophile site i used to read it was considered to have the cleanist signal) Then get a dac like this http://www.beresford.me/mainsite/home.html I have one they are great for the price. Then plug in! Check them out on the net they are British made and have a ton of good rep, about the best dac for its money

About the same cost as a high end card and will blow any pc sound card away, subject to your amp and speakers but then you will need them anyway as if you want good audio active pc speakers are not the solution

With that dac and a decent lossless file it challenges my old cd player that I payed just under a couple of grand for 10 years ago or so. Its highish end on a shoe string!