Computer based Hifi

[Netdewt]

I see... None of this really makes any sense to me.

Is the XMOS board usable as is?

[huskydawg9]

Originally Posted by PJPro

My file format of choice is FLAC. I use EAC to rip copies of my CDs to my HDD. I use Foobar2000 for playback using the WASAPI plugin. I use an optical connection between my Xfi Xtreme Gamer soundcard and my modded Beresford TC7510 DAC. Amplification is curtesy of my DIY GS Novo to a pair of Grado SR80s.


Do you listen to music from your PC? How do you go about it?

I also use FLAC and Foobar2000, but use ASIOforAll V2. I've had really good luck with the USB interface using Doede Douma's design Description of the DDDAC1543 MK2 project and a 24 chip version of his DDDAC 1543 DAC. For the amp I am using a Cavalli Bijou with Grado 325i's. I've tried other DAC's, but I keep coming back to the DDDAC. I recently built the Buffalo from Twisted Pear, but it paled in comparison. Even more recently I completed "Franks Ultimate Linestage" to use with the Buffalo instead of the "IVY" linestage. While this did improve the Buffalo's sound, it still couldn't compete with the DDDAC. When I added Frank's linestage between the DDDAC and the Bijou, all I can say is wow! Talk about taking my setup to the next level (and I thought I was already close to being there...). I've decided that it will be worth the expense at some point to add 3 more DAC modules to bring the chip total up to 60 and really open the sound up.

[apanton]

I use quite an array of kit but the core is:
Asus M3N78pro mobo, AMD X4 Phenom, Windows 7 64 Ultimate on Seagate 1.5 TB drive for music storage (actually 3 x 500 in RAID). Ripper is EAC, playback either XMPlay or Foobar - soundcard is Soundblaster Live USB at 24/96 and with the new Win 7 drivers from Creative it never sounded better. In fact the improvement over the previous 64bit XP set up astounded me. I rip my LP's via a Sansui AU777 or an AU6800 off a Thorens TD125 with rebuilt SME arm and Ortofon cartridge straight into the USB box. Always use WAV for LP's (via Wavelab and Wave plug-ins) and restore to FLAC; everything else ripped to FLAC. Listen thru ML Aerius speakers, Technics SE-A3 amp and Angstrom 200 front end. Extremely satisfied with results.

[Jaimo]

Originally Posted by Jaimo

I have an ASUS P5WD2 mobo with a Realtek a/d section capable of 24/192 processing. This mobo also has a SPDIF port that I prefer to use. I feed the SPDIF signal into a Behringer DEQ 2496 and this combo sounds just great. The Behringer has been set up for room correction and it's el-cheapo DAC is actually quite good. My only issue is keeping the Dual Code processor cool without blowing up a sonic storm. My next system upgrade will be a fanless cooler.

For software, I have finally settled on Media Monkey for playback and EAC for ripping. I rip to wav and the results are generally excellent.

Guys,

I just switched to cPlay for playback software and it is a significant improvement in sound quality over both Media Monkey and Foobar. Check out cMP² | Main / HomePage .

Hardware wise, I switched from the Asus Mobo's spdif output to a RME Hammerfall card running SPDIF to a modified Behringer DEQ2496 (AKM 4396 dac and BB opamp output stage)

[Idiocratease]

Originally Posted by Jaimo

Guys,

I just switched to cPlay for playback software and it is a significant improvement in sound quality over both Media Monkey and Foobar. Check out cMP² | Main / HomePage .

Hardware wise, I switched from the Asus Mobo's spdif output to a RME Hammerfall card running SPDIF to a modified Behringer DEQ2496 (AKM 4396 dac and BB opamp output stage)

I am working on the assumption that the bit perfect option in my Creative X-Fi card does exactly that. I suppose that there are minimal errors in the data transfer, and I have adopted an optical cable for galvanic isolation from the PC into a re-clocking DAC.

What I have learned is windows 7 gives a much purer sound that XP, which has been a revelation to me (also revealed by the new DAC).

Works very well:-

YouTube - idiocratease's Channel

[Jaimo]

Hello Idiocratease, Your system looks really great. The Chord DAC with it's buffer and clock re-generation obviates the need for a low jitter interface that the ASIO driver and cPlay offers. It will be interesting to compare a cPlay, cMp ASIO sound card combination against Windows 7 and the Creative Card played into the same Chord DAC.

[mikaljones21]

are any of you guys using a quality DAC like the apogee DA16 or Dave Lavry Blue for your PC playback systems? What is your impression of these?

I'm looking for a new multichannel interface/soundcard/DAC, these are on my short list.

Please help!

[Idiocratease]

Originally Posted by Jaimo

Hello Idiocratease, Your system looks really great. The Chord DAC with it's buffer and clock re-generation obviates the need for a low jitter interface that the ASIO driver and cPlay offers. It will be interesting to compare a cPlay, cMp ASIO sound card combination against Windows 7 and the Creative Card played into the same Chord DAC.

Indeed, but I guess we are not so geographically close, though my sister does live in Niagara (well not in it of course

[Charles Darwin]

Originally Posted by mikaljones21

are any of you guys using a quality DAC like the apogee DA16 or Dave Lavry Blue for your PC playback systems? What is your impression of these?

I'm looking for a new multichannel interface/soundcard/DAC, these are on my short list.

Please help!

I have got neither but both are highly regarded in studio circles.
That said in blind tests it seems very difficult to tell the difference between the classy Apogee and the comparatively lowly Echo Audio AudioFire.
Apogee does not support Windows anymore btw.

Interesting Converter Comparisons ... - Home Recording

[mikaljones21]

Originally Posted by Charles Darwin

I have got neither but both are highly regarded in studio circles.
That said in blind tests it seems very difficult to tell the difference between the classy Apogee and the comparatively lowly Echo Audio AudioFire.
Apogee does not support Windows anymore btw.

Interesting Converter Comparisons ... - Home Recording

Are you kidding? I thought the 16x could still be used with windows? I know that the Ensemble is Mac only.