Recommendations on sound card and speakers

[the_cultie]

I'm hoping to build a HTPC and I pretty much have a spec sorted out. The only thing I'm not sure on is what sound card or surround sound speakers. Any recommendations are welcome.

[the_cultie]

anyone?

[smokie mcpott]

are you hooking up your HTPC to a surround sound receiver/amplifier? if so, your onboard SPDIF/digital connections will do fine

[the_cultie]

are you hooking up your HTPC to a surround sound receiver/amplifier?
Yes, I probably am as it, I assume, would be the best route to go; correct me if I'm wrong :). I am planning on using this mobo since it as HDMI on board. Link (http://www.abit.com.tw/page/en/motherboard/motherboard_detail.php?pMODEL_NAME=Fatal1ty+F-I90HD&fMTYPE=LGA775)

Any recomendations on what amplifier/speakers I should go for?

[UglyChild]

Whats your budget? Is the HTPC for your bedroom, bathroom, living room? You want large speaker or small once? You want them white, black, silver?

As far as sound card, you cant beat M-Audio. But, there is not Vista support yet. Other then that very clean sound.

[the_cultie]

It's for the living room. So it's for everyone in the house to use. Here's a link to the site I hope to buy from, specifically the surround speaker section Link (http://www.komplett.ie/k/kl.aspx?bn=10136). At the moment colour is not an issue. Price wise nothing over $900 please. Thanks for all the help so far.

[smokie mcpott]

dont use computer speakers for that thing
the onboard spdif is fine as there is no actual sound processing that takes place with that...just run a digital coaxial cable to the receiver and you're golden

there is no need for a sound card if you are going to run digital to a receiver, it would be a waste of money

what is your budget for a surround sound setup?

[UglyChild]

Im pretty sure there is still difference between on board Coaxial and Coaxial on a sound card. Thats why we buy sound cards in the first place.


As far as speakers. I dont know any of the brans from that link. Cervin Vega is ok, their subs sounds very odd.

[Sir Barton]

Im pretty sure there is still difference between on board Coaxial and Coaxial on a sound card. Thats why we buy sound cards in the first place.
There is a difference. The word clock on most motherboards is garbage, it doesnt synch up the data well before it passes it on to the amp or speakers. A higher quality soundcard has a much better word clock and arranges the data as close as possible to the original file.

[the_cultie]

OK, well I'm waiting on a reply from M-Audio to see if Vista drivers are far away. So hopefully sound card is sorted out. That only leaves the speakers, anyone got any recommended brands?

[Sir Barton]

OK, well I'm waiting on a reply from M-Audio to see if Vista drivers are far away. So hopefully sound card is sorted out. That only leaves the speakers, anyone got any recommended brands?

vintage stereo amplifier + bookshelf speakers = computer speakers wont compare in a million years. If youre running a good music card like an M-Audio, do yourself a favor and do not get computer speakers. You wont be able to hear what that card has to offer unless you go with bookshelves. Even the "high" end computer speakers like them puny little Klipches and Logitech Z-junkhundreds wont hold a candle to a $100 pair of bookshelves.

[the_cultie]

So I was looking around the web for a few hours and I came across this set of Pioneer speakers Link (http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/42/100/42/HTP-2500/index.html). It has coaxial and optical digital inputs, 5.1, 7500W etc.

[smokie mcpott]

thats definitely something i would go for...
as far as the sound card goes...unless you are an audiophile like sir barton appears to be, you wont notice any difference between the onboard spdif and an add in sound card's spdif.

[the_cultie]

Thanks to everyone for the help. So everything is sorted out. Just have to wait for the reply form M-Audio and things should be sweet.