AudioEngine and AudioTrak audiophile quailty for computers.

[Hookem]

After starting and replying to some threads here at overclockers forums...2 members here seem to have come up with what should be excellent sound for computers.

Lodrin hipped me to AudioEngine speakers.

http://www.audioengineusa.com/

Here is a review of the AudioEngine 2's

http://stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1207ae/

I ordered the AudioEngine 2's last tuesday and will be ordering the AudioEngine 5's to pair with the 2's as soon as I can scrape together the duckies.

I was going to buy the M-Audio 5.1 sound card but Sir Barton came up with the AudioTrak Prodigy HD2 sound card...Here is a link to AudioTrak's HD2.

http://www.audiotrak.net/products/prodigyhd2/

A review for the Audiotrak HD2.

http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/multimedia/prodigy-hd2-gold-page1.html

Sir Barton replaced the OpAmp's on his card...So for guys looking for audiophile sound from their computers this might be a great combination.

Gotta give props to Lodrin and Sir Barton for taking me out of the Klipsch, LogiTech, Creative world.

:burn:

[Lodrin]

I'd look at the reviews for the Asus Xonar D2 (or D2X) as well if you are looking for a music oriented sound card.

[Keitosha]

I'd look at the reviews for the Asus Xonar D2 (or D2X) as well if you are looking for a music oriented sound card.The Xonar D2(X) are awesome cards, great for music and other multimedia purposes, but my vote would go to the Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 (http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_prelude.php).

I went from a CL X-Fi XGamer Fatal Pro to the Prelude and i noticed a massive sound quality increase despite the Prelude having the same APU.

I consider the Prelude as one of my best investments ever.

[Sir Barton]

Ive gone through a fair amount of sound cards in the past year. I started with the X-Fi, then the E-MU 1212M, then the Audiotrak HD2. Each card sounded better than the previous. The X-Fi was great for games, but crap for music. From there, I went to the 1212M. That was killer for music, but what got to me is it takes up 2 PCI slots, and I was only using the analog I/O board. Now Im on the Prodigy HD2. Being able to swap opamps is what drew me to this card the most...I can change out opamps and get a different sound every time. Granted its only a stereo card, but I only run stereo speakers. I use it only for music, the onboard is for games. Having 3 opamps for the output stage really makes the music shine. Most other soundcards only use one opamp per output. Compared to the 1212M, this card has a more fun sound to it. The 1212M was far too analytical...the HD2 just brings the music alive.

[Lodrin]

I'm currently using a Prelude, but that's because I'm sporting a heavy gaming rig using Windows XP.

[Keitosha]

Ive gone through a fair amount of sound cards in the past year. I started with the X-Fi, then the E-MU 1212M, then the Audiotrak HD2. Each card sounded better than the previous. The X-Fi was great for games, but crap for music. From there, I went to the 1212M. That was killer for music, but what got to me is it takes up 2 PCI slots, and I was only using the analog I/O board. Now Im on the Prodigy HD2. Being able to swap opamps is what drew me to this card the most...I can change out opamps and get a different sound every time. Granted its only a stereo card, but I only run stereo speakers. I use it only for music, the onboard is for games. Having 3 opamps for the output stage really makes the music shine. Most other soundcards only use one opamp per output. Compared to the 1212M, this card has a more fun sound to it. The 1212M was far too analytical...the HD2 just brings the music alive.FYI, the Prelude also supports swappable OpAmps and it normally has the LM4562's which are pretty high end themselves (seen alot of Meridians with those OpAmps and the Prelude has them @ default).

I went from CL X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal Pro to the Prelude and the Prelude doesn't compare to the CL card one bit. The Prelude just sounds more crisp and clear. I really can't live without it. :)

The Prelude makes better use of the X-Fi chip, due to the much better components than CL uses, than the original cards, the CL SB X-Fi's.

I still have my XGamer Fatal Pro. I put it in my gf's rig, because i couldn't stand the horrible onboard and even an CL X-Fi is a huge step from onboard. And i don't want my card to collect dust. :)

I'm currently using a Prelude, but that's because I'm sporting a heavy gaming rig using Windows XP.

Because of the EAX? You can use ALchemy for EAX support in Vista and it does its job pretty well. IMHO the sound in Vista sounds better than in XP, mostly because of the better audio stack. Either way, when you're enjoying what you hear, then i'm not the one to criticize. ;)

[Hookem]

Thanks for the input guys...On another front look what the FexEx man brought me today.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee89/charlietee/Picture011.jpg

Mighty Tidy if I must say so myself...Sold the ChainTech 710 in my box and am stuck out with the onboard sound right now...I have a Auidgy card somewhere but have been playing with the new toy today.

To say they sound good would be an understatement...Been listening to Jeff Beck's "You had it coming" a nasty bit of business for sure...Nice...Kinda light on bass but the clarity, crispness of the mid's and high's without the bright sound of horn loaded tweeters...Threw in Hella Good by No Doubt, Sheryl Crow My Favorite Mistake...Becks Freeway Jam...Dave Brubecks Time Out...Bunch of different stuff...2's are smokin !!!

I ripped all my CD's as 192kbs WMA's and that aint gonna get it...Time for another 500gig drive so I can rip them to some type of lossless audio format.

I could easily tell the difference between 128, 192, 256 and 320kbs...Nice speakers...Will be ordering the AudioEngine 5's to pair with the2's as soon as I get one of my loaner box's cleaned up and ready to go out the door.

I think I am going to go with the Prodigy right now...Way less expensive than the Asus or Prelude...I am only going to be listening to music on this box so it seems the logical choice.

Props to Lodrin...AudioEngine 2's are smoking...Can't wait to get my hands on the AudioEngine 5's.

As soon as they get their sub straightened out I will be buying one of those also.

Thanks again Lodrin...And Sir Barton...Be making a call tomorrow...Audiotrak here I come !!!!!

[Sir Barton]

Looks to be a great setup there. Let us know how it sounds with the Prodigy.

[jrank001]

THANKS A LOT HOOKEM!

After all the reading on the Auidoengine 2' I just purchased a set of Auidoengine 5's. Paid $309.99 shipped.

I will be selling my M-Auido Studiophile AV 40's I just purchased a week ago. They sound great but that extra punch the Auidoengine 5's have should rock the house so to speak.

Yes I paid double but I hope it was worth it.

You think my X-Fi extreme music is good enough for these or should I get a Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 sound card to get the full effect out of them?

[Hookem]

I would buy the AudioTrak...I have just been to busy and have not gotten around to ordering one.

http://www.audiotrak.net/products/prodigyhd2/

For an audio only solution it seems far and away the best card.

I would just keep the Creative card unless you are going to get the AudioTrak.

Gotta love being able to change out the opamps...National Semi Conductor will give you 5 of your choice for free.

Props to Lodrin and Sir Barton...They were the ones who hipped me to the AudioEngine/AudioTrak combiniation.

The 2's sound sweet...But the 5's are certainly the way to go if you are only going to be running 2 speakers.

[jrank001]

I would buy the AudioTrak...I have just been to busy and have not gotten around to ordering one.

http://www.audiotrak.net/products/prodigyhd2/

For an audio only solution it seems far and away the best card.

I would just keep the Creative card unless you are going to get the AudioTrak.

Gotta love being able to change out the opamps...National Semi Conductor will give you 5 of your choice for free.

Props to Lodrin and Sir Barton...They were the ones who hipped me to the AudioEngine/AudioTrak combiniation.

The 2's sound sweet...But the 5's are certainly the way to go if you are only going to be running 2 speakers.

A couple things:

I know nothing about opamps so I've been reading about them.
How do I get the free opamps from National Semi Conductor?
What ones should I get?
Do I need to change them on the Auidotrak?

[jrank001]

I just purchased the Audiotrak Prodigy HD2 card

https://www.floridamusicco.com/proddetail~prod~prodigy%5Fhd2.htm

Looking forward the sound I will be getting.

[Hookem]

Sir Barton changed out the opamps in his AudioTrak HD2 to these.

http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LM4562.html

There is a burn in process that takes a couple of days...The new opamps will sound harsh before the break-in period.

The thing about changing to different opamps is it will change the way the card sounds...Allowing you to try opamps and choosing which ones better suit the type of music you listen to but also better suit your ears.

There are several different opamps available...Sir Barton may chime in and give us a little bit more information on his experience with the HD2.

I am jealous...That's for sure...Guess I will have to get off my arse and order me Monday...Lot to like about the card...IMHO...From RCA to RCA connectivity, to the high quality AKM dac's and headphone pre-amp it looks good to me.

And Sir Barton has bought several sound cards with this card sounding the best...He even bought one of the M-Audio 1212's that it is compared to in the review link...He likes the AudioTrak HD2 better...Really for the money it seems like a really good deal...80 bones for a top quality audiophile sound card sounds like a hard deal to beat.

I you would please post a reply about your AudioEngine 5's compared to the M-Audio 40's...I would really appreciate it.

[jrank001]

Thanks Hookem for the info.

Once I get my AE 5's I will post a comparison of the two sets.

[Sir Barton]

Im chiming in Hookem lol. I plan on getting more opamps pretty soon, dunno what yet. I usually look around on Head Fi to see what everybodys hootin and hollerin about, may have to pay them a visit soon. I hear the newer Texas Instruments OPA369s are pretty good, but Im still loving the LM4562s. The biggest strength for the HD2 is that it uses 3 opamps for the output stage instead of just one like all other sound cards. The opamp for the headphone out isnt swappable, but it dont matter because my amp has a headphone out anyway. I use the X-LS Encore (http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=172&category_id=21&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37) from AV123...great budget bookshelves. Now that you guys have a kick ass sound card and speakers, time to re-rip your music in FLAC...youll hear a nice difference between FLAC and high quality VBR MP3. Youll find MP3 is more suited to "consumer" gear.

[Hookem]

"Now that you guys have a kick ass sound card and speakers, time to re-rip your music in FLAC...youll hear a nice difference between FLAC and high quality VBR MP3. Youll find MP3 is more suited to "consumer" gear."

LOL...What a pain...I have way too many CD's...Bought another 500gig hard drive...So 1T for music and ripping them as WAV's and I should be good to go.

Oh well...Took forever to rip them...I know 192kbs WMA's sound like crapola compared to playing the CD...320kbs MP3's are not that bad...But once again comparing them to the actual CD leaves a lot to be desired.

Just re-ripped Let It Bleed as a WAV...427mb...Geezzzz...Glad Fry's has been selling 500gig drives for 89 bucks.

Just so glad to be done with Logitech, Klipsch and especially Creative Labs.

[Lodrin]

Just so glad to be done with Logitech, Klipsch and especially Creative Labs.

Klipsch does make high end speakers.

[Hookem]

Klipsch does make high end speakers.

I guess it is all about what you like...I do not like horn tweeters...Never have...Way to bright...Just makes me cringe after a couple of hours of listening even at lower volume's.

A friend is a big Klipsch fan...Has some of their high end speaker's...He is a music guy and he just loves them...Has the old tube Mac and the whole routine...But going to his house when he is in party mode can be very trying.

They are already bright and then he goes to cranking on his EQ...He sezzz..."Hear that sizzle?" Oh yeah I hear it...So like others have said in the last few threads about all this business is that speakers are very subjective.

The ProMedia's are high end for computer speakers...Those old Bose's that were made for Gateway and Directron had on sale for 49.00 bones were easily the best "computer" speakers I have ever heard...Still have a pair and they sound mighty tidy...Super clean, balanced, smooth sounding.

I will say that the AudioEngine 2's sound way better than Klipsch ProMedia's...That is my humble opinion.

Cant wait to get my hands on the AudioEngine 5's...The 2's are very accurate and have a nice smooth natural sound...Especially compared to the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's that just went out my door.

Night and day...I can listen to them cranked for hours...Cannot say that about any computer speaker that has horn tweeters or is a mono-cone design.

Clean and clear...That is my motto...No clipping, distortion, boomy bass or "sizzling" high's.

Shucks I'm preaching to the choir...You are the one sitting on the AudioEngine 5's...I will know what you are talking about in the very near future though...That is for sure...:drool:

[Flip-Mode]

I hate you all! I've been trying to get the AudioEngine A2 set for a while now because of the guys at Head-Fi BUT they cost 1000NIS! Thats like half of my paycheck! In fact all the speakers are very expensive and other people from Europe have the same problem when compared to the US prices.
I'm glad people are discovering the "High End" gear, have fun with the gear.

[Hookem]

I hate you all! I've been trying to get the AudioEngine A2 set for a while now because of the guys at Head-Fi BUT they cost 1000NIS! Thats like half of my paycheck! In fact all the speakers are very expensive and other people from Europe have the same problem when compared to the US prices.
I'm glad people are discovering the "High End" gear, have fun with the gear.

LOL...Your a funny guy...Shucks...We in the grand ole US of A, get stuff months after it is available in Asian country's...Dont know how much they pay for it but they get it way before we do.

We probably do get better prices...But the best stuff...Probably not...AudioEngine is probably an exception...The old "Made in the USA" just does not apply anymore...Gotta give AudioEngine props for trying to do it "their way".

[Flip-Mode]

LOL...Your a funny guy...Shucks...We in the grand ole US of A, get stuff months after it is available in Asian country's...Dont know how much they pay for it but they get it way before we do.

We probably do get better prices...But the best stuff...Probably not...AudioEngine is probably an exception...The old "Made in the USA" just does not apply anymore...Gotta give AudioEngine props for trying to do it "their way".

I work in a computer store and I work with the importers so I know shipping charges are a "female dog" and me and few other guys form the UK speculate it the shipping charges that drive the speakers prices up.
While I was typing this I fired up my old Yamaha amp, the speakers I got hooked to it are garbage so I'm going to do some local speaker hunting once the car is out of the shop and I got some money.

[jrank001]

Well Gentlemen’s I have before me my new Auidoengine 5’s that the friendly UPS man just dropped off.

Gottem hook up and just been listening to the Screamin Cheetah Wheelies

There is just no comparison to the Studiophile AV 40’s I have. These speakers are just fantastic!

They are twice the speaker the 40’s are and more than twice as much but IMHO well worth it.

They have a 24 -48 hour break in period according to the manual

Now the 40’s are a very nice speaker but if you can afford them the 5’s are the way to go

Currently I’m rocking the neighborhood with the windows open. Good thing everyone is at work

Still learning about the different rip speeds and the size of them and the opamps

Keep that good info coming

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh52/jrank001/IMG_2655.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh52/jrank001/IMG_2656.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh52/jrank001/IMG_2657.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh52/jrank001/IMG_2658.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh52/jrank001/IMG_2659.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh52/jrank001/IMG_2660.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh52/jrank001/IMG_2661.jpg

[Sir Barton]

How big are the woofers on those Audio Engine 5? They look like very good speakers. Do they sell a passive model? I have a vintage Pioneer amp that puts out some great sound.

[Lotec25]

Well after reading this. I have not messed with my audio in a long time. Still running my Polk book shelves. How good are these? I have been thinking of replacing my emu card for a while. And i was actually going to upgrade my receiver. But what do these compare to? as far as component speakers and a receiver?

[Hookem]

How big are the woofers on those Audio Engine 5? They look like very good speakers. Do they sell a passive model? I have a vintage Pioneer amp that puts out some great sound.

Nahhh...They are powered speakers...Here is a snippet from a review.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/audioengine-a5/page-2

[Hookem]

Well after reading this. I have not messed with my audio in a long time. Still running my Polk book shelves. How good are these? I have been thinking of replacing my emu card for a while. And i was actually going to upgrade my receiver. But what do these compare to? as far as component speakers and a receiver?

I cannot comment on the AudioEngine 5's...But the 2's are very nice...I will be buying a pair of the 5's this week.

If you read the reviews of the AudioEngine 5's to say everybody was impressed would be an understatement.

Paired with the AudioTrak HD2 I would think if you do not care about gaming "sound" on your computer and your set-up is music oriniated this combination would be better than most HTB's and possibly lower end recievers and book shelf speakers.

Nice compact setup...No reciever hanging around your desktop...And it would seem very good audio quality.

I will know first hand soon.

[Sir Barton]

Well after reading this. I have not messed with my audio in a long time. Still running my Polk book shelves. How good are these? I have been thinking of replacing my emu card for a while. And i was actually going to upgrade my receiver. But what do these compare to? as far as component speakers and a receiver?

Audio Engine 5s are powered studio monitors...theyll offer a more flat, precise sound than what youd find in a consumer bookshelf.

[Hookem]

Man...What a difference a sound card makes.

I sold the Chaintech 710 out of my box and have been listening to the AudioEngine 2's with the onboard sound.

I thought I had an old Audigy card and finally found it today (I have way to many computer parts)

Anyway installed it and whew!!!! I am sold for sure now...Will be ordering the AudioTrak HD2 tomorrow first thing in the morning.

Man these speakers are just SWEET !!!!!!

I should be finished with 2 high dollar builds by mid-week and here I come AudioEngine 5's !!!!!!

[Hookem]

Dang !!!!! Just got off the phone with John at floridamusic and the AudioTrak Prodigy HD2 is back ordered from the factory till the middle of May.

Directron still does not have the M-Audio 5.1...Geezzz...Guess I will go buy a X-Fi Extreme Music to tide me over until the Prodigy becomes available.

Well back to the salt mines.

[Sir Barton]

Nows the time to order up those opamps...you should get them by the time the HD2 becomes available. National Semiconductor is slow on freebees.

[Flip-Mode]

Dang !!!!! Just got off the phone with John at floridamusic and the AudioTrak Prodigy HD2 is back ordered from the factory till the middle of May.

Directron still does not have the M-Audio 5.1...Geezzz...Guess I will go buy a X-Fi Extreme Music to tide me over until the Prodigy becomes available.

Well back to the salt mines.
What about an EMU0404?

[jrank001]

Can someone tell me how to get the fee opamps and what kind I should get for my AudioTrak Prodigy HD2?

I'm lost

[Hookem]

Tell you what jrank001...Let me buy your AudioTrak (lucky dog) and I will provide you with all the information you want.

LOL...Just messin witcha...Here is a thread that goes into detail on what op amps other people are using.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/installing-new-opamps-prodigy-hd2-301983/

I am going to PM a couple of those guys and try to get a little bit more information...Sounds like there is another forum that goes into great detail on how to setup the AudioTrak Prodigy HD2.

The link that I linked to too provided by Sir Barton should be the place to order the op amps...I am kinda busy right now...But ordering up some op amps from National Semiconducter is on my to do list.

Should have ordered the AudioTrak weeks ago when Sir Barton hipped me to it...:bang head

Now I am scramblin around trying to find another Chaintech AV710...These people are supposed to have them.

http://store.allmemoryupgrades.com/scchaintechav710.html

:burn:

[jrank001]

Hookem I have an X-fi Extream Misic I want to sell LOL.... no seriously I do it's the OEM version.

Used it for about seven days utill I read about the Auidoengine speaks and the HD2 thanks to you.

My plan is having my computer as my sound system and I want it to sound the best it can so what ever I need to do that I will.

[Sir Barton]

Keep in touch with Florida Music Co. as theyre the cheapest resellers of the HD2 that Ive found in the States. I checked eBay for you last night Hookem but them folks want $100+ for them. On another note...where can I find an AV-710 these days? Im in need for the HTPC.

[Hookem]

Keep in touch with Florida Music Co. as theyre the cheapest resellers of the HD2 that Ive found in the States. I checked eBay for you last night Hookem but them folks want $100+ for them. On another note...where can I find an AV-710 these days? Im in need for the HTPC.

allmemoryupgrad list them...I called them and left my number but they did not call me back...Dont like that...But I am going to try and order one anyway.

[Hookem]

They say it is in stock and ready for next day delivery.

http://order.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/wg-order?unique=d542c&catalog=yhst-9256690949642&et=47fd5b34&basket=b%3D5C3a42bfd1003d2547fd542cd309d3c42bfd1b2 1ecb6338fa3cecf6dec477f928%26l%3D%26s%3D2W5kjwLDrL _9alVVmT0iNRz40Hw- (http://order.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/wg-order?unique=d542c&catalog=yhst-9256690949642&et=47fd5b34&basket=b%3D5C3a42bfd1003d2547fd542cd309d3c42bfd1b2 1ecb6338fa3cecf6dec477f928%26l%3D%26s%3D2W5kjwLDrL _9alVVmT0iNRz40Hw-)

I'm gonna give em a whirl and see what happens...Head-Fi has a review of them that gives you a easy mod that is supposed to really pump up the jam as far as stereo output.

LOL...Sellers remorse...Should have keep my AV710 until I had my hands on the AudioTrak...I am a right now kinda guy for some reason...Guess that is why I buy everything I can from Directron even when I can get it cheaper somewhere else.

[Hookem]

Hookem I have an X-fi Extream Misic I want to sell LOL.... no seriously I do it's the OEM version.

Used it for about seven days utill I read about the Auidoengine speaks and the HD2 thanks to you.

My plan is having my computer as my sound system and I want it to sound the best it can so what ever I need to do that I will.

Edit*
No trading/selling outside the classifieds.
S-N, Forum Staff

Once again props to Lodrin and Sir Barton for coming up with these two pieces...Without them I would still be listening to ProMedia's with the AV710.

:soda:

[Sir Barton]

They say it is in stock and ready for next day delivery.

http://order.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/wg-order?unique=d542c&catalog=yhst-9256690949642&et=47fd5b34&basket=b%3D5C3a42bfd1003d2547fd542cd309d3c42bfd1b2 1ecb6338fa3cecf6dec477f928%26l%3D%26s%3D2W5kjwLDrL _9alVVmT0iNRz40Hw-

I'm gonna give em a whirl and see what happens...Head-Fi has a review of them that gives you a easy mod that is supposed to really pump up the jam as far as stereo output.

LOL...Sellers remorse...Should have keep my AV710 until I had my hands on the AudioTrak...I am a right now kinda guy for some reason...Guess that is why I buy everything I can from Directron even when I can get it cheaper somewhere else.

I came close to buying an AV-710 several times in the past, and am now kicking myself because I didnt. Now people charge a premium for them. I wonder what the next cheap audio gem will be? Maybe I will spring for another HD2 for my HTPC when theyre back in stock.

[Sir Barton]

Well just ordered some samples of the LT1364 opamps right from linear technologies. I was reading that 1x LM4562NA and 2x of the LT1634s on the HD2 sound very good. Says 2 to 7 business days for shipping. Get em while theyre hot! Linear Technology - Order Samples Cart Add/Edit (http://www.linear.com/samples/orderSamples.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1154,C1009,C1022,P11 06)

[Hookem]

Well just ordered some samples of the LT1364 opamps right from linear technologies. I was reading that 1x LM4562NA and 2x of the LT1634s on the HD2 sound very good. Says 2 to 7 business days for shipping. Get em while theyre hot! Linear Technology - Order Samples Cart Add/Edit (http://www.linear.com/samples/orderSamples.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1154,C1009,C1022,P11 06)

:confused: Kinda confused here Sir Barton...Did you order the LT1364's or the LT1634's...Here is a search for the LT1634...I am assuming the LT1634S8 is the ones we need...First they show a diagram of the LT1634MS8 that does not look like the right size...Then they show the LT1634S8 that appears to be the right demision.

Then they list probably 60 different 1634's...:confused:

http://www.linear.com/pc/productDetail.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1154,C1002,C1223,P1 611

They have a distributor in in Houston :) Gotta love living in such a big city.

[Lodrin]

Jrank, with your speaker setup, I'd try to either lift the speakers off the ground a few inches, or tilt them upward. In that setup, you are having some first order reflections. Sound emits from the woofer at an 80-90 degree arc. Some of the waves are bouncing off the table before reaching you (might cause some cancellation/muddiness)

[jrank001]

Thanks for the tip Lodrin. I will give it a go.

Still new to this so all the help is very nice to have.

[Sir Barton]

Just got my LT1634CN8s today...damn they sound good. Im running 1x LM4562NA and 2x LT1634CN8s, really made the mid range come alive. Vocals have a much bigger presence than they did before, and the highs have a great roll off now. This opamp rolling is getting addictive. running 3x LM4562NAs had a rather tinny sound compared to what Im running now. I think my next upgrade will be a tube amplifier :D.

[pak]

I wish I knew about these before I bought my klipsch 2.1's.

--pak

[TTP]

I wish I knew about these before I bought my klipsch 2.1's.

--pak

at twice the price?

The audioengine 2 are good (~$200). But does not include a sub like your 2.1 klipsch. And as good as these Audioengine are, I'm not going to get rid of my B&W CM1's for them. :beer:

[Sir Barton]

Here it is with the new opamps.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/brasshonkey/DSC03426.jpg?t=1208719631

[jrank001]

SirBarton:

So is that the opamps set-up to go with for the HD2?

[dudleycpa]

Thanks Gentlemen! - Subscribed.

[Sir Barton]

SirBarton:

So is that the opamps set-up to go with for the HD2?

Yeah Im loving the sound so far. I have more samples on the way from Texas Instruments too.

[Hookem]

Just got my LT1634CN8s today...damn they sound good. Im running 1x LM4562NA and 2x LT1634CN8s, really made the mid range come alive. Vocals have a much bigger presence than they did before, and the highs have a great roll off now. This opamp rolling is getting addictive. running 3x LM4562NAs had a rather tinny sound compared to what Im running now. I think my next upgrade will be a tube amplifier :D.

I feel like a read headed step child...sniff...sniff...Had to buy a Creative card to tide me over until I can get my hands on the Audiotrak...Any body have some Klenex ?

One thing to note...LT1634's are not what you want...They are not opamps...It is just a typo...Just make sure you do not put 1634's in there.

Every picture tells a story don't it ???

Props again to our boyzzz in the hood Lodrin and Sir Barton.

:)

[Hookem]

Seems another good combintion is running 2 of the LT1364CN8's and 1-LT1361CN8.

That is what I will be ordering from Newark...Another mod is to replace the capacitors with Sanyo WG's

I am trying to get a list of which Sanyo's to buy and where to buy them...I was hoping to buy the opamps and capacitors from Newark...But I cannot seem to find them on their site...Probably call them before I order the opamps to see if they have them in stock.

Man I am having a time trying to find stuff on these parts sites..."Your search skills are weak old man" Or so my boy Jason tells me anyway.

Loving my A5's that is for sure...Never had speakers hooked up to my computer that really show the sources rear end so much.

Connected them to an old Samsung SACD player I have and played some MFSL disk...WOW !!!!!

Whole new ballgame for sure.

[Albaholic]

This thread is making me want to spend money I don't have. Subscribed

[Hookem]

This thread is making me want to spend money I don't have. Subscribed

I have a Fubar II USB/DAC coming...They bypass the computers sound card and because they are outside the case and are not affected by all the electrial noise associated with fans, power supply's and just the computer doing its thing...Are alleged to have much better sound quality versus a internal PCI sound card.

They are stereo, no surround or EAX...So they really are geared toward high sound quality stereo output.

I am going to order the Audiotrak Prodigy HD2 tonight and will be doing a sound quality comparision when I get the HD2 opamps and capacitors changed out versus the Fubar II USB/DAC.

But for stereo only use there are almost endless USB/DAC's out there that can be had from cheap, to the sky is the limit...There are even some Do It Yourself DAC kits you can buy for 50 duckies.

There are other options as well...A USB/DAC-T-Amp paired with good bookshelf speakers are supposed to sound bad to the bone.

It is almost crazy how much the source effects the Audioengines...So a good source is very important.

The USB/DAC-T-Amp, bookshelf solution will cost you more money to exceed the Audioengine paired with a good source...I.E...HD2, Juli or USB/DAC.

You can buy a decent T-Amp for about 100 bones...And if you already have some decent bookshelf speakers could get into some great sound quality for not much money.

I have a old pair of high end Polk Audio bookshelf speaker sitting in the closet, that will be unretired as soon as I decide what T-Amp to buy.

Kinda curious how all this stuff will stack up against each other.

Stay tuned...This thing is just getting started.

[Hookem]

Almost forgot...Borrowed a Velodyne VX-10 subwoofer from a friend.

Class A/B 100 watt RMS amp...10" woofer.

Easy RCA to RCA connect.

Boy for 150 bones it will bring a whole new world of bare knuckles, teeth rattling, high quality sound to an already stellar sounding pair of speakers.

[jrank001]

Thanks for the testing Hookem. I lack the knowledge at this point for sound but once you are happy with the results you find I'll probably copy your set up.

[Hookem]

Jrank, with your speaker setup, I'd try to either lift the speakers off the ground a few inches, or tilt them upward. In that setup, you are having some first order reflections. Sound emits from the woofer at an 80-90 degree arc. Some of the waves are bouncing off the table before reaching you (might cause some cancellation/muddiness)

I could not agree more...Lodrin knows what he is talking about.

I bought some MoPads...Big difference.

http://www.truesoundcontrol.com/products/MOPAD3.html

If you plan on setting them in a near field configuration on a solid desk. These are what you want.

I have been rooting around trying to find a suitable foam for some DIY type solution...40 bucks for some foam is...Well...Kinda pricey.

[Hookem]

Thanks for the testing Hookem. I lack the knowledge at this point for sound but once you are happy with the results you find I'll probably copy your set up.

From everything I can gather the HD2 sounds sweet with 2 LT1364's and 1 LT1361...Scoured the web for guys with the HD2...Great place to start...And possibly finish...I mean these guys have tried countless numbers of combinations and it sounds to me like they would be a great match for the A5, HD2 combo.

I would certainly get my hands on those opamps...My solder skills are untested as of yet...So I am going to have to have a friend replace the capacitors on the HD2...Probably not necessay...But hey the capacitors are inexpensive and it will give me a good excuse to go hang with my bro.

Get the Linear Technology 1364's and a 1361...It will certainly be a big step up from the way the HD2 comes from the factory...Cheap or free...Really cannot go wrong.

I am sure SirBarton is rolling omamps as we speak...LOL...Gotta love it...It must be highly addictive this rolling the opamp thing...Hey when SirBarton figures all this stuff out we can go visit him in rehab...LOL...Just messin withca SirBarton.

I once again have to give props to Lodrin for hipping me to AudioEngine and SirBarton for turning me on to the Audiotrak.

You guys rule...Thanks again.

I'll be back !!!!

[jrank001]

Which ones do I want? There are more then one with the same part number?

Dang I wish I was more savvy on this stuff. I feel like a ned.

http://www.linear.com/samples/orderSamples.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1154,C1009,C1022,P11 09

http://www.linear.com/samples/orderSamples.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1154,C1009,C1022,P11 06

[jrank001]

Hookem that foam is pricey! I'm using three DVD cases to lift mine up off the desk top

[Hookem]

Which ones do I want? There are more then one with the same part number?

Dang I wish I was more savvy on this stuff. I feel like a ned.

http://www.linear.com/samples/orderSamples.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1154,C1009,C1022,P11 09

http://www.linear.com/samples/orderSamples.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1154,C1009,C1022,P11 06

You want the LT1364CN8#PBF and the LT1361CN8#PBF they are the right ones...When you search they will show you several LT1364's and 1361's what we need are the N8 PACKAGE 8-LEAD PDIP's...The other LT1361's and 1364's are "S8 PACKAGE 8-LEAD PLASTIC SO" are not...Looks like LT is loading both of them into the shopping cart so you should be good to go.

I PM'ed a guy last night and he seezzz this is the way to fly...Or boy SirBarton is on to something as the guy told me that Texas Insturments has some new opamps out that he is looking at...Told me he would PM me back as soon as he figured out which ones he is going to order.

And as luck would have it he is running A5's with the HD2...Really cleans up the middle, bottom and smooths out the high end...Sounds like just what the Dr. ordered to me.

[Hookem]

Wow...LT's site is crazy...It was loading just 2 for me and I see in your links it is 4...Geezzz.

But the PDIP's are the ones you want...8-LEAD PDIP's

[Sir Barton]

I am sure SirBarton is rolling omamps as we speak...LOL...Gotta love it...It must be highly addictive this rolling the opamp thing...Hey when SirBarton figures all this stuff out we can go visit him in rehab...LOL...Just messin withca SirBarton.
Damn how did you know what I was up to LOL. I sure was opamp rolling last night. I tried out 2x LT1631 + LT1634 and didnt like what I heard. It lost a good bit of detail, but gave off much more bass. I think after Im done typing out this response Im going to give 2x LT1631 + LME49720 a shot. I tried 2x LT1634 + LME49720 but the highs were very very harsh. Im thinking with the highs the LME49720 gives out and the lows the LT1631 gives it might be a good medium. A rollin we will go :D.

[Sir Barton]

Now testing... 2x LT1631 + LME49720, so far so good. The detail is there, the bass is there....its all there. Hmmm, so far Im liking this more than the 1634s + 1631. The highs of the LME49720 compliment the lows of the LT1631s quite nicely.

[Hookem]

Now testing... 2x LT1631 + LME49720, so far so good. The detail is there, the bass is there....its all there. Hmmm, so far Im liking this more than the 1634s + 1631. The highs of the LME49720 compliment the lows of the LT1631s quite nicely.

Ahh...Hahh...There you are...Did you meet up with Amy during you stint in re-hab ??? LOL

These other guys are running 2x1364's with one of the 1361's.

And while we have you in the free world what is the best combination has your addiction led you to ???

LOL....:beer:

[jrank001]

You guys are making me confused

When the testing is complete, please provide what I need by part# and web link to get'em

Thanks for all your doing here

[Hookem]

Well I posted a blow by blow guide through all that business.

I deleted it...PM'ed a mod with one of the screenies to make sure it is okay.

If it is okay I will re-post it...Its gotz pictures and everything !!!!!

Guess SirBarton is at the Betty Ford Clinic...Again.

LOL...I am trying to put together a list of opamps taken from SirBarton and some of the other guys who own the HD2 and post links and pics of where to get them.

[Hookem]

A guy who has tried just about every combination of opamps that I have seen posted on the web likes this combination.

2 Burr-Brown OPA2604's

http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/opa2604.html

1 Analog Devices AD8022 or 1 Analog Devices AD8599

http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0,,759_786_AD8022,00.html

http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0%2C2877%2CAD8599%2C00.html (http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0%2C2877%2CAD8599%2C00.html)

I ordered the HD2 last week and it should be here soon...I hope...I am waiting till I get it so I can order the Sanyo capacitors and opamps at the same time.

[Audioaficionado]

The JBL Spot looks funny but have had good reviews.
http://macenstein.com/default/archives/638

http://www.jbl.com/home/products/product_detail.aspx?prod=JBLSPOT

I'm thinking of getting a set for ~$70 from JBL with a custom shell for looks.

[Sir Barton]

So Hookem....get that card yet? :D

[Hookem]

So Hookem....get that card yet? :D

Not yet...It was ordered on the 22nd...I thought it would be here for sure by now.

Hoping tomorrow will be the day...I am starting to get impatient...Had to wait for it to come in stock and it has now been more than a week.

:bang head

[jrank001]

Since I installed my card I've been getting a "pop" or "crack" sound once in a while. Any ideas what's causing it?

[Sir Barton]

Since I installed my card I've been getting a "pop" or "crack" sound once in a while. Any ideas what's causing it?

When does it happen? Listening to music? gaming? All of the above?

[Hookem]

My A5's just make a noise that sounds kinda like your scratching a record just for a fraction of a second...That is with nothing playing...Never heard it when I am playing something.

No ryhme or reason...Outta the clear blue it will make the noise.

Kinda weird...But they do sound outta this world...Still no word on the Audiotrak.

I guess they were not in stock like I thought...Oh well...I've been waiting this long.

[jrank001]

My A5's just make a noise that sounds kinda like your scratching a record just for a fraction of a second...That is with nothing playing...Never heard it when I am playing something.

No ryhme or reason...Outta the clear blue it will make the noise.

Kinda weird...But they do sound outta this world...Still no word on the Audiotrak.

I guess they were not in stock like I thought...Oh well...I've been waiting this long.

Hey Hookem mine do the same thing. I thought it was the Auidotrak card. Does ti for a split second at any given time.

I also noticed these baby's get hot! I had my ipod connected to them and touched the back of the main speaker and WOW it was toastie.

Will have to call and ask about that.

[jrank001]

When does it happen? Listening to music? gaming? All of the above?

SirBarton. Mine are doing what Hookems are.

That's what I called a pop or crack but he described it better then I did

[Hookem]

Yeah it kinda weirds me out because it has never done it when I am playing mucic...And that is usually 12hrs a day at least.

LOL...Left speaker gets pretty hot when I have them rocking...But I would actuall expect it...Considering the volume levels I am listening to with the sub connected I am actually suprised it does not get hotter.

The sub on the other hand gets really hot...Much hotter than the A5's

Guess I can borrow my buddy's Fluke infared thermometer and see what the temps are.

The Audiotrak and now the HSU Dayton sub...Geezzz...I have never waited so long to get my hands on stuff.

Oh well...It aint like I dont have a smoking setup the way it sets right now.

Guess I can call Audioengine and talk to the guys...That reminds me.

I'm calling Florida Music right now.

Laters

[Hookem]

Well boys and girls...Just got off the phone with Florida Music.

They were supposed to get 40 of them Monday...The listed them as in stock when I checked and had my buddy order me for me.

Now it is looking like mid June...Geezzz.

Well it sounds like you guys will be getting the low down on USB/DAC's...So look for some feedback on on the Fubar II next week some time.

GRRRRRR !!!!!!!!

[Audioaficionado]

Here's a review on the HD2 I found interesting. The price of $75 is fantastic for a card that you can replace the DACs opamps at will.
http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/multimedia/prodigy-hd2-gold-page1.html

I use SPIDF output to my receiver so the DACs or opamps are not that critical in my case, but having the future option for SoTA analog is nice.

Those MoPADs are way over priced IMHO as I do the same thing using 1/2" dark gray upholstery foam sheets I custom cut. You can also have the shop custom cut the foam in a wedge to tilt the speakers. I think I spent a couple of bucks for my foam pads and they look great. It comes in black or most any other color you might want and different densities.

[Sir Barton]

I think the noises youre getting might be because those A5s are powered. I dont get any of those noises running my X-LS's on my Pioneer amp. I get it through my headphones, but not through my speakers.

[Sir Barton]

Here's a review on the HD2 I found interesting. The price of $75 is fantastic for a card that you can replace the DACs at will.
http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/multimedia/prodigy-hd2-gold-page1.html

Its the opamps you can swap, not the DAC ;).

[Audioaficionado]

Its the opamps you can swap, not the DAC ;).You're right. I was half asleep and mistaken when I posted. It's still great you don't have to take a solder iron to the card to change out the opamps.

The AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude looks good but is almost 3x the price. The AuzenTech might play game sounds better as it's supposed to support EAX. Xonar D2/PM might sound better if you have the bux and special 'golden' ears.

ASUS vs. Auzentech http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2268255,00.asp

@Sir Barton, how do you deal with contact resistance on those opamp chips as neither chip or socket has gold plating?

[Hookem]

For gaming and movies...This thread is probably not a good place to look for feedback.

I you do however want "audiophile" sound quality that will not break the bank or leaving you with the "sorry about you wallet" syndrome...There is some good advice here.

Mostly greared towards "high sound quality" stereo 2.0 or 2.1 systems in the 700 to 800 dolllar range.

Or that is what I am looking for...Shucks...A5's with coupon 324 bones...Fubar II 140.00 duckies...Velodyne VX-10 for 150.00 dollars...Pretty smoking sound.

I am sure there are USB/DAC T-Amp paired with non active speakers in the same price range that will put the above combination to shame.

Built computers for years...Stuck with the "computer" stuff...Now I see and hear a different light.

[Sir Barton]

Built computers for years...Stuck with the "computer" stuff...Now I see and hear a different light.

Thats how it was for me. Once you get into audiophile type stuff, you find out just how crappy all of those desktop computer speakers really are. Even if youre not a music listener, but enjoy good sound from your movies and games, a 2.0 or 2.1 bookshelf/sub/amp combo will provide far better sound than any PC speaker system you can get. A good rule to live by....2 good speakers will always sound better than 5 or more mediocre speakers.

[Audioaficionado]

My current PC/bedroom audio system is my Asus Commando AD 1988B SoundMAX BlackHawk Integrated HD Audio, SPDIF optical link, Yamaha RX-V450 receiver and a pair of vintage AR3a speakers. Source: EAC/WavPack rips of my CDs and various ripped ShoutCast mp3 streams. Good bass from the 12" woofers so no sub required. Stereo sounds great with good components and source material.

[Hookem]

Yeah I could not believe how different the sound quality is affected by the stuff you are feeding them.

I have 1.5k CD's...That I had ripped as 192kbs WMA's...I love WMP 11's interface and thought 192kbs was plenty good....WRONG...The A5's sounded so much better playing the CD versus the WMA's.

So I ripped the stuff that I really listen to alot into 320kbs MP3's...WOW...Big difference...In the process of ripping my entire collection to FLAC...What a pain...Bought another hard drive and was just going to rip them as WAV's...But as luck would have it I just bought a buddy's CD collection...Another 450 CD's...Now I am sitting on almost 2k CD's.

Guy just mailed the Fubar II today...Paid him last week with a MO sent USPS Priority and he said he just got it today...He must live in BEF...And of course I am on the list over at Florida Music for the next batch of Audiotrak HD2's...They are supposed to be getting 40 of them.

I have a killer pair of Polk Audio Bookshelf speakers that have been retired and will be buying a Trends Audio T/Amp and check out that combination...That and buying one of the HSU8 subs from parts express.

I gotta give props once again to our boys Lodrin and SirBarton for hipping me to the Audioengine, Audiotrak world of computer as source high quality sound.

Word of advice if you are considering the Audiotrak Prodigy HD2...Order it now...If not you will probably end up waiting a coupld of months like I have.

[Audioaficionado]

Flac and WavPack are lossless bit for bit accurate to the original wav files and compress to ~50-60% of the original file size but unlike wav files, you can tag them with meta data like album, artist, song title, year, etc.

[Hookem]

Flac and WavPack are lossless bit for bit accurate to the original wav files and compress to ~50-60% of the original file size but unlike wav files, you can tag them with meta data like album, artist, song title, year, etc.

Kinda lost on this not being able to tag the WAV files with album, artist, song title, year business.

I am building a customer box right now and just downloaded and installed WMP 11.

Set it up to rip as WAV's just to check it out...Put the CD in and WMP pulled up the artwork, song titles, year, artist, contributing yadda yadda yadda.

So what is it that WAV's ripped in WMP 11 cannot do ???

Sorry bout the newbie question...Took me forever to get Foobar to rip as FLAC's...I have heard you cannot tag WAV's...But I just dont get what it is not doing.

:bang head

[Audioaficionado]

You can include some information in the wav file names but it still isn't meta data like tagging does. Tagging can give you a lot more information about the file like what the source was, how long it is, album art and other things.

Hydrogenaudio has a great forum for various music codecs that you can learn about.

[vtec96]

Guys, I have a M-Audio Audiophile 2496 which I bought a few years back with my Swan M-200 speakers. The sounds is pretty good!

However after reading this thread, I am thinking of upgrading once I build a new system later this year. Possibly getting one of these new HD2 soundcards and A5 speakers maybe. My question is how would my current system compare to this new setup? Will it really be that much of a difference?

I don't play any games so its only for HQ audio sound\music.. :cool:

* I also have a dedicated powered subwoofer hooked up which is why I was looking into a card with a dedicated sub connection (1212m)... ???

[Sir Barton]

Ive never heard the Swans or the Audio Engines, but if you want to hook a powered sub to your system youd need a passive preamp with 2x line-outs. One of the outs would go to your speakers, and the other to the sub. The best part about a passive preamp is that it will let you control the volume without having to touch the knob on the speaker. Im thinking of buying a passive tube preamp from www.pacificvalve.us so I can run a subwoofer in conjunction with my T-Amp. The tube preamp should add a nice touch to the extremely detailed T-Amp.

[vtec96]

Ive never heard the Swans or the Audio Engines, but if you want to hook a powered sub to your system youd need a passive preamp with 2x line-outs. One of the outs would go to your speakers, and the other to the sub. The best part about a passive preamp is that it will let you control the volume without having to touch the knob on the speaker. Im thinking of buying a passive tube preamp from www.pacificvalve.us so I can run a subwoofer in conjunction with my T-Amp. The tube preamp should add a nice touch to the extremely detailed T-Amp.

Barton, actually I have my sub hooked up to my audio card by simply using a Monster rca y-adapter: one set going to the speakers and the other going to the sub...Perhaps the pre-amp would be better :cool:

[Audioaficionado]

Ive never heard the Swans or the Audio Engines, but if you want to hook a powered sub to your system youd need a passive preamp with 2x line-outs. One of the outs would go to your speakers, and the other to the sub. The best part about a passive preamp is that it will let you control the volume without having to touch the knob on the speaker. Im thinking of buying a passive tube preamp from www.pacificvalve.us so I can run a subwoofer in conjunction with my T-Amp. The tube preamp should add a nice touch to the extremely detailed T-Amp.http://www.bottlehead.com/ :thup::thup::thup:
Great products but the site's not kid safe ;)

[Liquid3D]

Here's an option which circumvents what has been and remains to be the reason PC-Audio is notoriously BAD.

The sound card itself or on-board sound device cannot deliver a "clean signal" because it's awash in a sea of EMI. Even if you built a lead shielded around card that noise I referred to enters the circuitry through the PCI or PCIe slot.

The only viable option for improving PC-Audio is an external solution and one which utilizes the USB port. 20-years ago when I was deep into high end, I brokered pre-owned hardware just to listen and examine the design philosophies and parts spec. Such as why they used WIMA resistors or Octave caps. Why Kimber Cable internal wiring was silver or copper and where it was used. Why point to point wiring is hands down a sonic improvement over a semi-conductive treated surface or PCB. Tubes versus Transistors, mosfetts J-Fetts. Toroidal and hand wound silver transformers. The separation of DAC from the transport / laser. External moving coils, turntable versus digital. Digital speakers versus analog (ultimately the digital signal will still just end up moving air so it will be analog).

And then applying my study of Cognitive Science/Neurophilosophy which studies the brain's "circuitry" which ironically is digital! While all our senses have evolved over millions of years to "perceive" an analog world (optical, Olfactory etc.) each of our senses is essentially an A/D circuit. The Optical system is a lens which focuses light onto cones/rods which eventually stimulates nerves which send electrical impulses to the brain which then uses neurons which then break these down into synaptic activity either the synapse is on/off (firing/not firing) hence binary, hence digital.

You may consider all this has nothing to do with the topic or why we reinforce MDF to build box speakers or prefer the warmth of a vacuum tube over a transistor, but it is all correlated. All audio components do in the end is to trick our brains by creating a 3-dimensional representation (if they're good) in the mind's eye and send sound pressure waves of the same type as those which originally picked up by the recording mic. In the end were just moving air. The Universal Auditory Fart of the result of a speaker albeit a panel lighter then air per square inch such as found in electrostatics (http://www.soundlab-speakers.com/faq.htm#1) or ribbons or a kevlar cone, which are judged by their moving mass. Obviously the lighter the mass of the driver the more rapidly it can be moved. Whether you like your air pressure waves to resemble Mozart or Poi Dog Pondering the quality of the system will determine how "live" that sound seems.

The person who claimed Klipsch are not "High End" probably never heard Klipsch Cornwall's driven by OTL amps, but more importantly while Klipsh aren't as precise and as adept at imaging as other drivers their founder IS the personification of High End, he devoted his life to the Audiophile within us and its insulting to his work to make such a claim, Klipsh and companies such as Western Electric whom made sound systems for theatres are to High End what the old punch-card IBM mainframes are to the modern PC. The famous and arguably best sounding valve on the planet the 300B was designed prior to 1900 for telephone amplication and today some of the best vacuum tube amps are based on these. Simply Google High End 300B and see where it takes you.

Now to the point. I have re-entered the Audiophile world which I quit High End over 10 years ago because of the compulsion, the cost, but mostly because all I was doing was listening to hardware instead of the music. I am now writing reviews on USB DAC integrated tubes amps which have come to light for several reasons. These affordable products are the catalyst to introduce millions to a levekl of sound 90% of the population will never hear. What was only enjoyed and coveted by a few with the funds or "secret" knowledge to find used gear. But any music lover should hear this level of sound and now can. WQhat happened to me the first time I got into Audiophilia happens to many who get into overclocking (and then cooling). We spend so much time reading and studying and overclocking we forget what we got our PC for in the first place.

There have been some major changes in High End since I was into it, some bad some good some hard to tell. First of all the prices have changed dramatically with a new found interest in the integrated amplifier. Integrated tube amps were common in early audio then they evaporated as the reductionists separated every stage in every process. Example: separate DACs. transports and their power sources. Separate Preamps, Moving Coils, etc. Today with most audio catering to digital sources (CD music files) integrated amps make sense because they are nothing more then an op-amp/ linestage.

You can save a lot by building in a single chassis obviously extremes of this aren't good i.e. the Receiver (solid state receivers brought Audio to a new low). The exceptions are Sansui's whom took as much pride in designing and building receivers as well as Krell builds amps. Check out this thread (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=118901)with MANY internal shots of vintage Sansui's and see what a real receiver can look like.

OK so I am testing the Tecon Model 55 (http://www.stereomojo.com/Tecon%20review/Tecon55Review.htm)integrated amp with USB DAC based on the excellent Burr Brown PCM2707 DAC. This little amp is just 5W per channel so obviously high;y efficient speakers are a must. I am testing Cain & Cain Abbys (http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/equipment/0103/cainabby.htm) these are a crossoverless single driver (http://avantgardeaudio.com/_wsn/page11.html)design.

You use your USB out to the integrated amp which cost under $700 for what is effectively a Single Ended Pentode (Similar to Single Ended Triode or SET amp) and your already ahead of the game by a mile. You went from solid state junk (forget chip-amps their highly overrated) your using the best amplifying device ever invented the vacuum tube or valve in in a single ended design your one step close to an OTL (output transformerless).

The sound is amazing and you don't need Cain & Cain speakers to have loud volume, there are many highly efficient single driver speakers. OK why single drivers, because you eliminate more junk in the signal path the Cross Over which can cost a lot of cash when done correctly. A decent crossover can cost more then these vacuum tube amps with USB. With a single driver you have a single source and the full range of sound over it.

I can quote a hundred bookshelf and 20-floostanding speakers all single driver or at least highly efficient under $900 many under $500 and mate them to the Tecon or Glow Amp (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/glow/one.html)(I am also testing the Glow and the Decco (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/peachtree/decco.html)) what does this have to with the topic.

While I have tested both the Audioengine speakers the 2's are more versatile as far as connectors the 5's are better sounding simply because they give you more of it and a subwoofer increases the number of components this making making synergy more difficult. These are both still toroidal transformer based amplifiers in a speaker enclosure, no where near the best environment for a amp.

And the sound card indeed any sound card limits you. While you switch among sound cards your only hearing differences in limitations. Once the DAC and other sensitive circuitry is re-located outside the PC box, everything changes in a BIG way. The sound opens up free of EMI (to much greater extent anyway) and now you can uses valves for an amplifier with passive speakers.

The debate in Hugh End between solid state and valves is easily disguised when you hear people reviewing $50,000 solid amps and still describing the sound as "tube like" the valve is where it's at, At the very least you should hear some good valve amps. Bottom line you get an integrated valve amp single ended to boot with a better DAC for under $500 and a mini-monitor for under $400 and you have a true entry level High End system and are still able to play everything from your PC, Internet.

[Audioaficionado]

WQhat happened to me the first time I got into Audiophilia happens to many who get into overclocking (and then cooling). We spend so much time reading and studying and overclocking we forget what we got our PC for in the first place.QFT

I had a Pentium Pro computer and it was too slow to run SoundEasy so I searched the internet to find how to build a faster computer that was considerably less expensive than the $3k I spent on my PPro workstation.

I found Overclockers.com and the forums. Well one thing lead to another and now I'm much more into building PCs and overclocking than DIY high-end audio.

I still want my audiophile music fix and now that I have Kick @$$ computer(s) all over the house, I can have my cake and eat it too.

My top sound system is in my living room, but my music CDs are ripped as lossless WavPack files on my main rig in my bedroom. So I'll have to build a decent HTPC in the living room to access and play that music. I look forward to your reviews on USB sound cards as I was thinking the same thing about PCI or PCIe sound cards. Right now I'm just listening using the onboard chip via SPDIF-toslink to my receiver. Not ideal but OK for casual listening and a heck of a lot better than the local FM stations.