Please spec me a sound card!!

xsnv · 17 May 2006 at 16:47

I've got about 50gigs worth of 192kbs mp3's on my pc and want to know how to squeeze the best out of them. My current set up is as follows:

Amp: Rotel RA-971 MkII Details
Speakers: Kef Q55's
Sub: Eltax atomic 10.
Soundcard: onboard realtec 5.1.
Speaker cables: Cant remember the exact brand but picked them up on recommendation from audio ex******

Any ideas?

Andy Pandy · 17 May 2006 at 17:30

Deffinitely an X-fi sound card. I went from an Audigy 1 to the extreme music and the difference in quality is astonishing. If you just want a sound card and speakers id say go for the extreme music, but if you want headphones and all sorts as well, go for the extreme music platinum or elite pro.

tom_nieto · 17 May 2006 at 17:47

Look at cards by M-Audio and Terratec. You'll definitely want to source a card with RCA outputs. Don't buy an X-Fi for music without looking at other cards, it's mostly a gaming card.

Failing that, buy a DAC. 9designs2 is building his own and thinks it'll cost him about £135 overall. For a DAC which reportedly gets close to his Linn CD player it's got to be worth a look.

squiffy · 17 May 2006 at 18:29

M-Audio

and higher bitrate MP3's or switch over to OGG. You won't be disappointed.

Upgrade to pre-power system. Ditch that "sub"

-Ad- · 17 May 2006 at 18:30

Don't buy an X-fi for music, they arn't worth it.

I reccommend an EMU 0404 (creative professional series). Great bang for £, and sounds very very good, and costs about £70 inc delivery from specialist music stores online.

It has RCA outputs, inputs, and digital optical input + output too, so you could always hook up a DAC at a later date. but the quality of the mp3's may be the limiting factor. If they have been recorded well then they should be ok, but ideally you need bitrates over 256kbps when using a good Hi-fi, i can certainly tell the difference.

p.s. DRZ, i took the CD2 bitrate test, but only spent 5 mins on it soo far. Tracks 2 and 5 are the standout ones that clearly sound the best, but track 3 is shocking. I guess that 2 and 5 are either ~320 mp3, lossless or WAV, with track 3 being 64 or 96 mp3, with 1 and 4 being 128-192.

tom_nieto · 17 May 2006 at 19:08

squiffy said:
M-Audio and higher bitrate MP3's or switch over to OGG. You won't be disappointed. Upgrade to pre-power system. Ditch that "sub"

I wouldn't go as far as a pre/power system, but the sub is probably making things worse.

squiffy · 17 May 2006 at 19:19

tom_nieto said:
I wouldn't go as far as a pre/power system, but the sub is probably making things worse.

I would. Or could upgrade power amp stage, or bi-amp. Upgrade speakers too. Kef Q55's are ok but not faboo speakers (have them here)

You'll also want to buy £400 wooden volume controls too

TooNice · 17 May 2006 at 20:05

The X-Fi isn't half bad, but I would also take the alternative suggestions offered if you are not gaming. Whatever source you upgrade to, it'll make a very significantly difference at this point.

xsnv · 18 May 2006 at 14:13

Thanks guys...

You really think i should ditch the sub (it's great for movies n 24)? I was thinking of getting a sound card with a sub out so it's not parasitic on the hf line.

Anyways back on topic...i've got a budget of about £50 dont mind going 2nd hand...wut u recommend?

Codmate · 18 May 2006 at 15:59

M-Audio Audiophile2496 or Creative EMU 0404.

My money generally goes to M-Audio, but that's just because I've had good experiences with their gear. I've never tried the EMU so I can't really comment.

X-Fi is good for music (although I wouldn't enable any of the signal-munging 'features'), but is really a gamers card. If you're into games, get the X-Fi.