Soundcard thoughts /w Pictures!

[wibble1]

Hi Chaps,

Starting to think about improving my audio system on my PC.

Mainly watch a lot of DVDs & listen to music through my onboard soundcard onto my hd595's.

I also connect my PC to my TV sound via line-out into RCA splitter (the one with L & R). Which sounds baaaaad. I end up having to crank my TV volume up to nearlly 80% to get something which I can hear, and at this point the background music on the films is so loud i still can't hear any dialogue. Plus theres no real oooomphff to the sound.

Here's a picture:

So going to spend some money on a new sound system (~£500) including amp, soundcard (Asus Xonar D2X) & speakers.


Here's a picture of my proposed solution:

• Will this solve the audio balance issues I'm currently having?
• Am I going to notice any change with the audio output?
• Is it worth doing something like this?

Thanks for the help;

 

[nicmcv]

It'll be your telly. Getting an amp and a new sound card should do the trick
When you go from a TV to 5.1 it's fantastic. You might not have to spend so much to get a major improvement, but if you can afford it, go for it.

 

[wibble1]

Okay cool. When you mean its your telly, is that in regard to the unbalanced audio?

Plan to use the amp/speakers for playing music from my PC, is that also going to make a difference?

Do I need a stereo amp or an AV amp?

Had a look at a couple of speakers and the KEF KHF2005.2 really do look nice...going to try and demo them along side the mordant genie ones hopefully...

 

[nicmcv]

Yeah the TV may well be causing the issue that makes you turn it up so loud to here the PC. Is the volume up on your pc?

Oh sure, playing music from your pc via an Amp will sound so much better than through your telly.

Stereo or AV amp? If you have a tight budget go Stereo. If you have cash and the space to put in surround speakers and surround amp get that as it is great.

Maybe you could try stereo first as it will be a major improvement.

Have you had a listen to any of the gear you like? It's good to have a listen to it if you can. Try listening to your favorite tunes so you can get an idea of what the gear is like.

It's maybe worth popping into a shop and having a listen to some amps and speakers if you can, you will know when you like the sound of something.

 

[wibble1]

On the pc the volume is turned up to 100% and end up having to turn my TV up to around 30 to be able to hear it. When doing this with movies etc the audio levels are so unbalanced, i.e. the actor is talking but i cant hear him cos of the ambient noise from the film lol.

Stereo or AV amp? If you have a tight budget go Stereo. If you have cash and the space to put in surround speakers and surround amp get that as it is great.

Want to spend roughly 150ish on the amp, I've heard rave things about the DENON AVR1907 for (£150) but would compare that with maybe a cambridge audio amp: Cambridge Audio AZUR 340A.

I plan to try and go and listen at the weekend to some gear, Really like the look of the KEF KHF2005.2 cos of their size etc but I hear they're not too hot with music????

Update:

I rang Richersounds up for some advice, they suggested going for the cheaper KEF speakers, 1005 range and then go with a semi decent amp (Yamaha AVX363) which would be better for my needs and budget!

 

[nicmcv]

Just out of interest have you tried using a different output from your sound card to your telly?

I don't think you can go wrong with the KEF's and Yamaha AV amp, they will rock bells dude. The KEF's look so nice.

You will notice a huge difference when you get that all hooked up.

If you do go to richer sounds ask them for a demo of the gear, remember your fav cd's and trust your ears. Make sure you get what sounds good to you and make sure to have a good fiddle with the demo gear.