Help with complete audio upgrade please!

[D3M0N1C]

Hey folks,

I've been using OCUK for 10+ years now, but this is my first visit to the forums. I'm usually pretty competent when it comes to choosing my own upgrades, but I haven't got a clue when it comes to audio, and I've been happy with what I've got until now, so after doing a bit of research, and still being none the wiser, I thought I'd come and ask the pro's for assistance

My Sony 5.1 DAV-D150G has served me well for over a decade now, although two speakers stopped working a long time ago, so has been used as a 2.1 system since. I should have upgraded years ago, it does have a VHS player on it after all.

My Asus Xonar DG sound card has just died too, so, its time.

My first thought was to get:

Creative Sound Blaster Z sound card and Microlab Solo9C speakers.

But after reading all the positive reviews, I thought I'd be daft not to go for the Corsair SP2500's. But, after browsing the forums, it seems maybe I could do better.

My budget was £200 for a new sound card and speakers, but could maybe stretch to £300.

I have a fairly decent PC, in my living room, under a large commercial office desk, hooked up to my old Sony 5.1 system. My room is about 4mx5m, and I'm usually sat about 3m away when watching TV & movies, then about 1m away whilst gaming.

I'd say my setup gets used for about 50% TV & movies, 40% music and 10% gaming.

I've also considered:

Edifier R1600T III 2,0 60W speakers with the Streacom ST-TL1 Tube Amplifier? Or the PIONEER HTP072 5.1 setup and a cheap sound card.

I do get some interference from my on board sound, and used to get a little when I had the Xonar too, so have thought about an external sound card or maybe an Amp.

Any suggestions?

Cheers.

 

[D3M0N1C]

Thanks for the replies dudes, appreciate it.

I really am clueless on this one, been trying to make a decision for ages now.

Would I be losing anything by going with an external sound card, and are there any others to consider? I've always assumed an internal one would be better quality.

I forgot to mention that I have a Sharkoon X-Tatic Digital 5.1 headset, which has its own amp, so I've always got that to use for gaming.

So, just for TV and music really, all genres but mainly rock and metal. I'm not too bothered about wall shaking bass, that said I don't have much to go by as I've only ever had 5.1, so I am used to a sub.

I've looked at the ASUS STX cards but thought they might be overkill.

Always wanted the SOLO9C's, but I've read they need to be positioned away from the wall because of the bass ports, which put me off a little, because if I'm sat at my desk about a meter away from them, they'll probably sound crap and blow my face off. Anyone know how they perform at low volumes?

 

[D3M0N1C]

Cheers buddy, I thought as much, and if that's the case with the 7C's, it'll definitely be the same if not worse with the 9C's. A shame as I did have my heart set on them, and thought they'd be awesome for music. I am usually sat 3m away when listening to music and watching movies etc, its just if I'm sat at my desk they're going to be a bit useless aren't they, and I can't afford two sets of speakers or I'd probably do exactly what you have and get the Edifier R1600T Plus as well. My mates just brought the 9C's so I'll go check them out later, if they sound that good 3-4m away, I might get them anyway and just use headphones if I'm at my desk.

To be honest I thought everyone on here was going to recommend the Corsair SP2500's over anything else in my price range, trouble is I don't really want something designed for gaming, which is why I looked past the ASUS U7 external sound card too. I want quality music over gaming.

 

[D3M0N1C]

By passive speakers do you mean monitors? And if paired with a sub woofer, would they be any good for movies as well as music? I did briefly look into a custom 2.1 set up, but not sure I'd be able to get something decent on my budget, plus I'd have to get something that goes well together which would probably just baffle me even more lol.

 

[D3M0N1C]

Passive speakers are those that require separate amp/receiver to power to work (pretty much almost all the speakers that are sold at RicherSounds are passive), where as active speakers such as the Edifier, Corsair, Microlab they have that only built-in amp, so it would require no separate power source.

For example you Sony 5.1 DAV-D150G all your speakers and sub are passive, and are powered by the receiver.

I get you, which would benefit more from a quality sound card, or would it be the same for both? I assumed that a decent receiver/Amp would act as the sound card, or does that not make sense lol.

I still think the Solo9C's are top of my list, I was just trying to see if there was maybe a better alternative.

If I did go for the Solo's, and had £50-100 for a sound card, preferably more for music and movies rather than games, what should I get?

At first I was thinking the Creative Sound Blaster Z, but apparently Creative are poor these days, The ASUS U7 is probably a better choice but more for games and headphones.

Also, If I brought a decent sound card, would I still use the AMP that came with my Sharkoon X-Tatic headphones, or would I go straight into the sound card?

I've looked at the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 Speakers & SW150 Sub woofer as well, seems like a tasty 2.1 set up but would require an amp too.

So many questions lol,

Thanks

 

[D3M0N1C]

They have orange black and green connections or optical, never tried them going straight into the sound card before.

And, thanks for your suggestions Marine

 

[D3M0N1C]

Thanks TwsT, appreciate your input dude.

I'd not even thought about a DAC, and to be honest didn't know what one was until the other day.

If that route is a viable option I'll have to look into it a little more. I'm not in a major rush, but would like to get it sorted before the end of the month. I know its my decision and can't just ask what to buy as everyone has different taste, but I really don't have much to go on. I'm not bothered about anything stylish or looks, I have a big room and a huge desk, don't mind cables either, I'm just after audio quality.

If I did as you've suggested, I'd end up with just a raw high quality stereo signal which is perfect for music?

If I went for the ASUS U7 or Xonar D2 and the Solo9C's I'd have a good general set up for movies and music but would suffer when gaming at my desk? (Which I could cope with)

To be honest I've never looked into audio equipment that much, and probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway lol, I'll do some research so I understand what I'm buying and why.

Cheers

 

[D3M0N1C]

Thanks for all the help on this guys, I do appreciate it.

I'll be considering all options, as it'll be my primary system and will have to last. I was leaning more towards 2.0/2.1 but I'm not opposed to 5.1 or home cinema packages. Gaming is the least important thing for me as I only play games like Chivalry Medieval Warfare and Company of Heroes 2, which don't really require decent audio to enjoy. (If any of you are PC gamers and haven't played Chivalry, please have a look, its the most addictive and fun game I've ever played, and is well worth playing just for its comical value, which never gets old)

I could just focus on something more suited for movies, and get some good speakers for music in the future if needs be. Although it would be more sensible to get an all rounder. The Onkyo system looks decent, although a bit pricey, I think it comes in a 5.1 package as well.

Home cinema wise, I'd never be connecting a console, blue ray player or anything else to it, just my PC, so don't want to be paying for a receiver that has all the bells and whistles because they'll never get used.

Would it be wise to get an amp and a pair of good sized front speakers for music, but with the option to add a sub, a center and some rear speakers at a later date?

Is there any benefit to having a separate amp as opposed to one built into the sub? Or is it merely for looks and space saving purposes?

Sorry to be such a pain, it seems I'm retarded when it comes to audio, and I'm crap at making decisions at the best of times, all I know is what I've read on the net this past week, mostly from this forum lol.

Nice one chaps

 

[D3M0N1C]

Yeah, I saw that too dude, but don't want to rush into it like I usually do, I'd rather buy new than second hand. There is actually a hell of a lot going second hand, which puts me off a little. Why is everyone selling them I wonder? I've seen them going for as little as £100 used, and that's with the extra 5.1 speakers too!