Tell us about your computer audio setup

[brianpowers27]

Tell me a little about your computer audio setup. Try to keep non-audio computer details out of the picture.

I'll Go first.

Computer A
--M-audio delta 24/96 soundcard
--Behringer Mixer 1204pro?
--Furman power conditioner
--Speaker system A - M-Audio Bx8
--Speaker System B - Nicer Kenwood amp (4ohm capable) amp from 80s powering my DIY project of the month.
--Various sound panels throughout room (L shaped 10'x20')
--Full collection of mp3s/FLAC
--Video Lan Player software
Computer B
--$20 generic soundcard
--20 watt sub(5.25"?) with satellites (2-5w?)

[Pete Schumacher ®]

Standard built-in MOBO 8.1 surround audio running two channel into 100W/ch JVC receiver into DIY TM nearfield monitors using Dynaudio D21 tweeters and Peerless 850439 HDS woofers in vented boxes tuned to 50Hz. No sub. I like it a lot. wouldn't mind a sub unit/foot-rest under the desk.

Alternate is a set of Altec sub/satellite units. Not too bad sounding actually, as long as you don't turn it up too loud.

[DDF]

I just built a PC based system for audio playback.

- Used IBM T-40 laptop (cool, quiet) with genuine XP, 1GBram and wifi: $250 Canadian
- WD640GB Green hard drive (quiet and cool) + Nextar3 case: $125 Can
- M-Audio Transit: $75 US

And that's it. The drive holds the tunes (and video), the screen is 15+" and all music gets played through my regular system, via my main system's DAC (from the M-Audio transit). For under $500 I get the sound quality of the main set up, plus a very usable portable wireless PC thrown in, plus the transit/laptop for doing remote speaker measurements. I'm pretty darn happy with the set-up.

[brianpowers27]

Alternate is a set of Altec sub/satellite units. Not too bad sounding actually, as long as you don't turn it up too loud.

What are the sub and sats like?

[blue934]

brian, could you explain the usage of the mixer in your setup? looks like M-audio is quite a standard.

XP OS played thru cheap soundcard to
A:burr brown DAC to main system
B:$20 computer 2.1 to be replaced with overnight sensations/Denom SS integrated within a month or two hopefully

thanks
david
________
******* Young

[MidKnight]

Living Room:

HP Media Center computer running Vista Home Premium with built in coaxial SPDIF to my Denon 1907 to my Athena Audition speakers (working on a new sub now). It normally plays my Zune collection.

Loft:

Dell 220s dual booting Vista Basic and Windows7 release candidate 1 (which is awesome) output 1/8" stereo to L/R RCA to an old Onkyo TX-DS575 receiver powering my new Recession Buster sealed speakers and a 6th order bandpass sub from a shelf system that I haven't owned in years. They actually match well. That computer normally plays Pandora and will stream music from the HP downstairs as soon as I set it up in Windows 7.

[bobhowell]

I have a 14 month old Gigabyte GA MA770-DS3 with AMD x2 4800 dual core and windows XP. I run the onboard audio to a 60 watt JVC receiver from mid 80's and a RSS210HF 8" sub. Sealed BAMTM speakers are hooked to the JVC. I can switch from 2 ch to 5.1 ch and hear the difference in bass between the BAMTM full range and with the sub. I plan to upgrade to Windows 7 here in the fall. I run Photoshop etc. here. This is in my 16x12 MAN CAVE where no one complains.

In the living room I have a HTPC hooked via SPDIF to a Onkyo 505 and a 50" plasma and 5 ZBM4". and 10" Aura Sound Sub/ 240watt PA. Soon I will have a new home for my RSS265 and 240w PA. I cross over from the ZBM4 to the sub at 125hz and have a integration problem the second sub will, I hope, fix. This system runs Vista and I can not get a second out put from it to drive the remote speakers, though the onboard audio supports it. I hear Windows 7 will.

All are networked to a WHS with music and video etc.

Looking for help on the following if anyone knows;

1 On the Gigabyte Xp system, I have no bass management but would like to get it. Can I get a usb sound card that would give me this under XP.

2 Also, I have an old lap top with XP that I could use in addition, for a third room, but it only has USBvr 1. It does have a PCMCIA slot. Is there a sound card that will work here also?

I have looked for this stuff, but don't comprehend the specs.

[rjrauso]

custom built HTPC:

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L Motherboard
Intel Pentium 2.8GHz Dual-Core
Fanless GeForce 8500 GT Video Card
Seagate Barracuda 500GB x2
Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB
4GB RAM
LG Black Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM
600w PS

Running all of this in Media Center - xp.
700 albums in lossless FLAC/WMA and 200+ dvd rips - full quality, no menus
two media extenders for music in other rooms
every running through spdif to my Yamaha rx-Z9

[Pete Schumacher ®]

What are the sub and sats like?

Features: Manufacturer: Altec Lansing Model Number: ACS340

Specifications: System Frequency Response: 30Hz - 20kHz Total Audio Output: 40 Watts Input Impedance: >10k Ohms Analog Input Sensitivity: 400mV for full output

Speakers: Drivers: Two 3" Magnetically Shielded full range Power: Total both channels 13 Watts Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >70dB

Subwoofer: Driver: One 6.5'' Long Throw Power: 27 Watts Crossover Frequency: 150Hz Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >70dB

[johnnyrichards]

Desktop PC:
Onboard Realtek HD Audio
AudioSource Amp100
DIY TM in small, sealed enclosures (see avatar)

Garage "jukebox":
Soundblaster Live! 5.1 soundcard.
Coustic XM6 electronic crossover
Optimus 100 watt stereo amp
420 Watt PSU for 12v electronics
DIY MTM towers (see other post)
Infinity 100 Watt 8" subwoofer from their TSS-750 system

HTPC:
Dynex 5.1 sound card with optical output to Onkyo receiver.

[philiparcario]

Mac Mini
free agent for mac holds the music.

roland UA-1EX
http://www.roland.com/products/en/UA-1EX/
feeds to a reckhorn F-1 crossover
feeds to a NHT Verve sub


http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=87123

good deal can not be beat for an under desk sub you can not build it for this price

hi pass to a diy two channel two pot volume control
feeds to a diy gain clone
feeds two these new sats


http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...d.php?t=211795

very nice computer system for music.

[johnnyrichards]

I can build all kinds of "subwoofers" that go all the way down to 38 Hz for less than 275 bucks.

[philiparcario]

so can I. what you and I can't do is get it to have the size and shape this one has with the fit and finish.
Since it is under desk against a wall it plays cleanly to 30hz due to corner/horn like reinforcement It is well worth the money for my use.

[Andy_G]

Q9550 Intel 8Gbram, Windows 7RC (CuBase software when required)
USB in/out to Yamaha Audiogram 3
to/from Yamaha RX-595.
to any of Delorians, Sauron or Stacks (or other speakers if desired.)

[DDF]

2 Also, I have an old lap top with XP that I could use in addition, for a third room, but it only has USBvr 1. It does have a PCMCIA slot. Is there a sound card that will work here also?.

Any USB DAC should work. there are the M-Audio Transit and the Roland come in at $70. At headfi you can also find a large assortment of USB headphone amps reviewed.

[Paul Carmody]

Laptop: IBM R51 -> M-Audio Audiophile USB -> Onkyo Integra receiver

Desktop: Windows XP machine (spare parts) -> SoundBlaster PCI and Digidesign digi 001 -> Soundcraft Mixer -> Alesis M1 Active MKII monitors

[shawn_a]

Apple Macintosh G5 running dual 2 GHz processors. For listening purposes I use the optical digital ouput running to an older model Yamaha receiver. For testing I run the audio output through an M-Audio FireWire Solo which feeds signal to the Yammie through a coaxial digital ouput.

Speakers are generally whichever project I'm currently working on pulling together. Sometimes I'll fire up the Triska Sub but I'm usually evaluating stuff so the sub doesn't get a lot of use.

To add another facet I feed my little practice amp for my guitars from the M-Audio. I plug directly into the interface and use Garage Band for effects and other signal processing. This works very well in that I can make recordings of my mad skillz (LOL).

shawn

[brianpowers27]

custom built HTPC:

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L Motherboard
Intel Pentium 2.8GHz Dual-Core
Fanless GeForce 8500 GT Video Card
Seagate Barracuda 500GB x2
Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB
4GB RAM
LG Black Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM
600w PS

Running all of this in Media Center - xp.
700 albums in lossless FLAC/WMA and 200+ dvd rips - full quality, no menus
two media extenders for music in other rooms
every running through spdif to my Yamaha rx-Z9

Tell us about your computer speakers too.

[Eric.DeYoung]

I use my toshiba laptop with a Emu 0404 -> analog input on HK3490 receiver -> Statement Monitors.

I'm thinking about building myself a desktop to use as a music/movie PC but we'll see when the funding arrives...

[shawn_a]

Living Room:

HP Media Center computer running Vista Home Premium with built in coaxial SPDIF to my Denon 1907 to my Athena Audition speakers (working on a new sub now). It normally plays my Zune collection.

Loft:

Dell 220s dual booting Vista Basic and Windows7 release candidate 1 (which is awesome) output 1/8" stereo to L/R RCA to an old Onkyo TX-DS575 receiver powering my new Recession Buster sealed speakers and a 6th order bandpass sub from a shelf system that I haven't owned in years. They actually match well. That computer normally plays Pandora and will stream music from the HP downstairs as soon as I set it up in Windows 7.

I concur about Windows 7. I finally got around to installing it to run under VMWare Fusion on my Mac Pro at the office. Pretty nice so far I have to admit. I have Vista running on my Gateway laptop and I really don't have too many issues with it but Win 7 does appear to be an improvement.

shawn