best, cost no object, sound card

mjkempton · 21st May 2007, 12:53 PM

Can I have some opinions please on the best sound card for 2 channel playback. No recording, no multi channels just good old stereo.

As per the subject, sky's the limit!

TIA

Jim

rfbrw · 21st May 2007, 01:59 PM

If you want a 2ch playback only soundcard, you'll probably have to make it.

peranders · 21st May 2007, 02:32 PM

Ask here:
http://audio.rightmark.org/index_new.shtml
http://forum.rightmark.org/

DarkOne · 21st May 2007, 02:48 PM

ESI Juli@ is a very good sound card
http://www.esi-pro.com/viewProduct.php?pid=43&page=2

zigo3 · 21st May 2007, 07:43 PM

If you need to know what DAC and chipset mount different soundcards take a look here http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=229391

I know that Onkyo SE-90 and Audiotrak Prodigy HD2 (who is commercialized only in Korea) was born to have only stereo output, but it don't mean that they are the best. Onkyo SE-200, for example, have a stereo output who is considered better that SE-90, because have a better DAC.

zigo3 · 21st May 2007, 08:14 PM

Or, if your objectif is play music from a pc and send it to your external amp, you can choose an external usb stereo DAC and use it like an external soundcard.

Go here, you can find a lot of info http://www.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59

DcibeL · 21st May 2007, 08:23 PM

Using a soundcard with a good SPDIF output (transformer coupled) like the M-audio Audiophile 2496 in combination with an external DAC is probably the best solution, but if you don't want to do that I recommend this. It uses the Envy24HT chipset, and a Wolfson DAC. You'll want to replace the op-amps and coupling capacitors for best analog output though.

planet10 · 21st May 2007, 09:15 PM

The best ones are going to connect to your computer via Firewire, and aren't going to be called sound cards per se.

http://www.digitalaudio.dk/ax24.htm

(credit to Fast Eddy for pointing this one out on another thread)

The AMR CD player could also be used as a DAC. Also Wavelength.

dave

rfbrw · 21st May 2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mjkempton

As per the subject, sky's the limit!

TIA

Jim

DSD, DXD, 24/384, 24/192 etc., the Pyramix Mykerinos does it. Comes with various options at $3500 and up. Requisite software additional.

dsiroky · 22nd May 2007, 12:37 AM

I'm building the DI-16 DAC from ecdesigns. There's a thread on it 150 pages long or so - Ultimate NOS DAC.

I'm building it purely for 2 channel sound to hook up to my martin logan speakers. It has USB input on it, and it's own external power supply.

21st May 2007, 12:53 PM	#1
mjkempton diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South London	best, cost no object, sound card Can I have some opinions please on the best sound card for 2 channel playback. No recording, no multi channels just good old stereo. As per the subject, sky's the limit! TIA Jim

21st May 2007, 02:32 PM	#3
peranders Electrons are yellow and more is better! diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Blog Entries: 4	Ask here: http://audio.rightmark.org/index_new.shtml http://forum.rightmark.org/ __________________ /Per-Anders (my first name) or P-A as my friends call me Tube Buffered Gainclone in work \|Thread

21st May 2007, 02:48 PM	#4
DarkOne diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Bratislava	ESI Juli@ is a very good sound card http://www.esi-pro.com/viewProduct.php?pid=43&page=2 __________________ Regards Robo

21st May 2007, 09:15 PM	#8
planet10 frugal-phile(tm) diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 5	The best ones are going to connect to your computer via Firewire, and aren't going to be called sound cards per se. http://www.digitalaudio.dk/ax24.htm (credit to Fast Eddy for pointing this one out on another thread) The AMR CD player could also be used as a DAC. Also Wavelength. dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com, frugal-phile.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi p10-hifi forum here at diyA

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21st May 2007, 01:59 PM	#2
rfbrw diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: .	If you want a 2ch playback only soundcard, you'll probably have to make it.

21st May 2007, 07:43 PM	#5
zigo3 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: italy	If you need to know what DAC and chipset mount different soundcards take a look here http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=229391 I know that Onkyo SE-90 and Audiotrak Prodigy HD2 (who is commercialized only in Korea) was born to have only stereo output, but it don't mean that they are the best. Onkyo SE-200, for example, have a stereo output who is considered better that SE-90, because have a better DAC.

21st May 2007, 08:14 PM	#6
zigo3 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: italy	Or, if your objectif is play music from a pc and send it to your external amp, you can choose an external usb stereo DAC and use it like an external soundcard. Go here, you can find a lot of info http://www.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59

21st May 2007, 08:23 PM	#7
DcibeL diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Saskatchewan	Using a soundcard with a good SPDIF output (transformer coupled) like the M-audio Audiophile 2496 in combination with an external DAC is probably the best solution, but if you don't want to do that I recommend this. It uses the Envy24HT chipset, and a Wolfson DAC. You'll want to replace the op-amps and coupling capacitors for best analog output though.

22nd May 2007, 12:37 AM	#10
dsiroky diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	I'm building the DI-16 DAC from ecdesigns. There's a thread on it 150 pages long or so - Ultimate NOS DAC. I'm building it purely for 2 channel sound to hook up to my martin logan speakers. It has USB input on it, and it's own external power supply.

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