Audiophiles... need your input

[socketman]

Ok, it looks like Santa Cruz is the winner... Although I game mostly, im really looking for something different. Thanks for the lesson on a receiver GOI. BTW. Is there different versions of the Santa Cruz? Obviously I would want the latest one..

As far as mp3's.... I just download them and listen. I know nothing about their quality. So if 128kbs sucks, what is a good sample rate?

 

[bigboxes]

It is more important to me to have good MP3 playback than for game sound. I have Yamaha TSS-1 5.1 speaker system. I think it sounds like crap. So, when I bought a audiophile receiver this last fall, I ran a monster cable analog line out from my SBLive! card to my Denon receiver. I use the yamahas for everyday computing and use the Denon to listen to mp3's.

As for 128kbs mp3's, I believe that with a good recording, the average listener cannot discern the difference. Personnally, I have ripped all my CDs onto my hdd at 192kbs (CD quality), but most all of my downloads are at no less than 128kbs. Although it would be preferable to have songs ripped at a higher bitrate, most of the 128kbs mp3's sound very good.

Thanks for all your input. Next year when I build a new system, I will use this info in deciding what sound card to use. I would like to hear the Turtle Beach cards in person, though.

 

[Nefrodite]

yup but with decent speakers, you'll be able to tell theres something not quite right with 128kbs mp3s. theres unpeasant warbling fx and stuff. 192kbs is good compromise between quality and size. lame vbr is great but finding songs encoded that way is difficult.