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Mefistofeles
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« on: May 07, 2003, 04:32:10 AM » |
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What are you planning for your next audio upgrade?
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Mefistofeles
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« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2003, 04:32:10 AM » |
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For my next upgrade I would like to move convert run my computer system in 5.1 mode. I want to take the big citation amplifier from the office and hook use it in conjunction with the Rotel that I have. I'll also buy another amplifier to run the center channel. So when all is said and done I want to have 10 channels of amplification. Each channel will have seperate amplification for the highs and the mids. For the bass I want to go from a dual 8 inch setup to a single 15" subwoofer.
I want to upgrade my control unit and move to a Harman Kardon AVR 320 receiver and use it as a pre amplifier. It will be awesome I will be able to listen to DTS and DTS movies on my computer in 5.1. For games I will use the Pro Logic II mode and listen to Diablo II LOD in surround mode.
Of course I have to upgrade the DVD ROM on my computer, the digital output doesn't put out enough voltage!
When will I do this: in a few years. Home Theater can be a very time and cash consuming hobby. But in the meantime I can always dream.
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SkankyBob
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« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2003, 07:53:02 AM » |
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I think I'm going to start by getting new speakers (My crappy Creative 2.1's aint cutting it anymore  ) maybe Logitech Z-680's or a less wallet-busting alternative. And some good coaxial Hi-Fi speakers for music. I also really need some good headphones and a decent microphone. And the new Deftones album which is out in abot ten days I think  |
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Enchanter
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« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2003, 08:36:53 AM » |
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Most probably going to go components (or Studio Monitor sets) as my next speaker upgrade. Music has always been a priority for me, so a 2.1 setup will give the best quality improvement for a given amount of money.
My current Videologic Sirocco Crossfire is still performing (very) satisfactorily though and so the next upgrade will come quite some time off.
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Inge
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« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2003, 02:09:26 PM » |
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I want an oxygen 8 or similar usb-based midi-keyboard to handle with my softsynths and sequencers. Apart from that, I'm all happy with the audio-components of my setup.
Inge
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Wreck-It
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« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2003, 09:58:13 PM » |
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A new sound card, and NOT a Creative. The innevitable SPDIF speakers will soon follow. Should be doing the jump this summer.
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Wrawrat
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« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2003, 10:13:48 PM » |
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I'll probably buy a better sound system. I prefer to get a hi-fi 2.1 system than a normal 5.1 system. I'll probably also change my Audigy for a Terratec if they can work under Linux.
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wdb1966
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« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2003, 10:18:22 PM » |
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I'm not really going for an audio upgrade, but I am planning for a new Nforce2 board with Soundstorm, so its built in...it will do all that I need.
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Mefistofeles
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« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2003, 01:16:02 AM » |
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The N-Force 2 board that I am using at work has absolutely outstanding high quality audio performance. Of course my recently upgraded reference system sounds much better but for something that costs much less the integrated audio on those N-Force 2 boards is quite good. In fact the sound quality is so good, that I would like to hook up a powered subwoofer and a 500 watt Nikko amplifier to the integrated audio output on one of these boards. N-Force 2 boards have produce clear and detailed audio.
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Wrawrat
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« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2003, 01:23:24 AM » |
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Hmm, this might be a little off-topic and even n00bish, but do you know if the APU is only included in the MCP-T? I know that Soundstorm = 6-channel sound, but does the standard MCP uses the same APU (except 2 channels) or only a generic AC'97 codec? I have a motherboard with only the MCP and I'm wondering if I should use the integrated sound instead of my SB Audigy (takes too much CPU power)...
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wdb1966
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« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2003, 05:58:57 PM » |
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MCP-T is the Nforce2 APU and Firewire...MCP is simply AC-97 (Realtek), though with the Realtek drivers it can produce 5.1 audio just without the Nforce APU quality and extra features.
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Wrawrat
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« Reply #11 on: May 23, 2003, 04:30:23 AM » |
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Oh, okay. Thanks wdb. I've tried the onboard audio and I though it wasn't sounding as good as my Audigy. Oh well, I'll keep it... for now. |
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wdb1966
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« Reply #12 on: May 23, 2003, 08:44:43 AM » |
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What board do you have?
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Wrawrat
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« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2003, 11:01:19 AM » |
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MSI K7N2-L. It's using the standard MCP v2 (as it's a nForce2 chipset).
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Mefistofeles
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« Reply #14 on: May 23, 2003, 04:44:40 PM » |
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In order to conform to the topic at hand I have just completed my next upgrade. For my sound system at work I switched out the Citation 7.1 amplifier and replaced it with two other units: an Adcom GFA 5800 and a Parasound HCA 2200 II.
The Parasound HCA 2200 II (250 watts x2) is powering the right and left highs, while the Adcom GFA 5800 (250 watts x2) powers the mids. While the Citation 7.1 wasn't a weak amplifier by any stretch of the imagination either (150 watts x4)it lacked the exceptional high powered performance of both the Adcom and Parasound,especially with regards to the highs.
The bass remains unchanged I am using a 15 inch subwoofer and a 3000 wat QSC PLX 3402 in bridged mode for subwoofer amplification.
To say that the new system does sound better is obvious. The most obvious improvement is high powered playback. The new system frighteningly loud, the new system sounds effortless at levels that would make the Citation choke. In fact it's so scary that at times I find myself dialing back the volume despite the lack of distortion.
Frequency separation has improved quite abit as well the highs and mids are now more distinct as well. Things such as waveform decay as well as musical detail and speed have improved significantly with the new amplifiers, in the case of waveform decay it's simply more pronounced. Even details from relatively complicated pieces of music sound clear and are easy to dissect. To put another way, every piece of music on my system sounds as clear as your "acoustic" or live performance . It's easy to hear exactly what's going on, even if there is plenty of "action" in the musical background. This of course can be a bit unnerving, I often why a particular musician in a group is off on the timing of his cymbals. Detail in the extreme can make the individual pieces much more interesting than the music as a whole.
However on a few select pieces the extra resolution can be a significant improvement. On Norah Jones CD her voice comes through in a way that seems both tangible and tactile. I'm not just listening to a recording I am listening to Norah Jones sing right here on my desk. Her voice exudes sensuality on the new system and it's so smooth and tactile that I can almost touch it.
Aside from cost are there any disadvantages. Size is certainly one it's hard to find space for two amplifiers one weighing 45 and the other weighing 62 lbs. Well I'd love to continue but it's lunchtime in my part of the world.
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wdb1966
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« Reply #15 on: May 24, 2003, 03:53:26 PM » |
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Quote
Originally posted by: Wrawrat
MSI K7N2-L. It's using the standard MCP v2 (as it's a nForce2 chipset).
So you're using the Realtek chip completely, no Nforce APU. |
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chewyboy
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« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2003, 05:33:43 AM » |
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Mefistofeles
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« Reply #17 on: June 02, 2003, 02:24:31 PM » |
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What sort amplificationr are you planning to drive your B&W's with? They need to high powered amplification to come alive. I remember reading a N802 review on audioreview.com where a customer was driving them with a Denon AVR 5800.
Someday I would like to build a system that integrates my computer, an HDTV and my home theater system. Could you imagine that playing Quake XI in dolby digital on a nice 36 inch HDTV with the 5 B&W N801's putting out sound affect's and music?!?!? That is the future of computing and home theater.
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chewyboy
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« Reply #18 on: June 02, 2003, 02:51:06 PM » |
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I'll use my mcintosh's (tube's) more than enough to power them and give em that much richer of a sound.
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Mefistofeles
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« Reply #19 on: June 03, 2003, 05:52:26 AM » |
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I know that tubes can be funny creatures and actually sound better when they distort, at least versus solid state devices. However I have read that the N801's are suppose to very difficult speakers to drive, in addition I have heard some anecdotal evidence about the N8-2's that suggest that this may be true in their case. It seems rather unconventional to me(powering big B&W speakers with tubes) but I hope your system sounds great!
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Airtouch
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« Reply #20 on: June 04, 2003, 04:51:25 PM » |
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i have a audigy 2 and some altec lancing 5100 speakers on the way im thinking ill put the audigy 2 in my new shuttle system when i get/build it if the 5100 speakers dont cut it then ill think about moving the shuttle into my entertainment center and hooking it up to my klipsch RF-5 series speakers however im worried that the quality wont be near what i want so i might just use the 5100s and save myself from having to deal with the clutter
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chewyboy
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« Reply #21 on: June 06, 2003, 02:30:24 AM » |
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mefistofeles: thanks for the concern, it does get a bit tricky but is easily overcome if you have amps that can handle the speakers. I know the owner of the shop where i'm getting the B&W's from and he is having both set's delivered to me so i can set them up and test for a couple of days. I've listened to the signature 800's in his shop setup in a similar manner to what i have and they sound.....well the words are hard to come by to be honest. So hopefully after i get them setup and arranged i will be able to tell which i appreciate more.
BTW Tube Amps Rock!
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Mefistofeles
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« Reply #22 on: June 06, 2003, 04:29:49 AM » |
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This may sound silly but, I bet Starcraft would sound awesome on those B&Ws'!
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