• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

General Audio Thread

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: Howard
http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/interconnects/DIYSpeakerCablesp1.html

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-113

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-145

You don't need anything else when it comes to speaker cable, although you might want to use connectors like banana plugs if you're worried about corrosion.
Click to expand...

oof, speakers are confusing - I really need to take Physics; i don't understand electricity at all!
 
anyone know anything about headphone amps? I've been wondering how they can improve the quality of some headphones, like HD280 Pros. I've been dabbling in the topic of DIY amps, but there's so many tutorials and builds that I'm not sure which one would be best for me. I run my music from a Creative Zen Sleek, using Grado SR-60s and soon, Altec-Lansing iM716s.
 
Originally posted by: Howard
You want to make your own?
Click to expand...

my own headphone amp, yes. I dont have any knowledge of electricity yet but I'm taking AP Physics this year so i'll learn some stuff there. I'm not in a hurry or anything, though.
 
Originally posted by: guoziming
Originally posted by: Howard
You want to make your own?
Click to expand...

my own headphone amp, yes. I dont have any knowledge of electricity yet but I'm taking AP Physics this year so i'll learn some stuff there. I'm not in a hurry or anything, though.
Click to expand...
Go over to the forums at headfi.org-there are all sorts of plans, helpful people, etc. there. You can also find a hobbyist who will build you an amp pretty cheaply if you are clumsy with a soldering iron like me.

Pretty good faq, I would add a couple of things:

-a note to check out headphone models personally if at all possible, as comfort varies greatly. I'm extremely happy with using my Senn 600's at the computer, but I wouldn't want to try to go jogging with them.

-a warning that going to headfi.org could be hazardous to your financial health if you get sucked into the headphone hobby

-an alternate I think gives far more audio bang for the buck (quality especially, but also volume) is to buy a cheap receiver and a decent set of speakers, rather than go with powered speakers. It's more flexible and better quality, but will probably take more space.


 
Originally posted by: Thump553
-a warning that going to headfi.org could be hazardous to your financial health if you get sucked into the headphone hobby
Click to expand...

that's the main reason I've stayed away from head-fi. A friend of mine got sucked in and spent $300 on his two phones. He's also considering more.

... now that i think about it, i've spent a lot on headphones too. SR60s, KSC75s, HD201s, and iM716s... total around $180...
 
Great thread! More info on soundcards is needed, but I'm probably not in a position to provide much.

On the M-Audio Revolution 7.1: I had no complaints with regards to its quality in use with Klipsch Promedia 2.1's, but M-Audio's driver "support" is disgustingly horrible. Their current beta driver for Windows XP x64, untouched for almost a year now, causes BSODs on startup and is generally a PITA to deal with.

I would love to hear any XP x64 soundcard success stories, as I'm itching to get off this substandard integrated audio that sucks even for listening to music in 2.1 stereo.
 
Well you can't blame M-Audio. Beta drivers are at your own risk and indicate they do not support 64 bit XP. They support regular Windows XP and Apple for all of their computer products I believe.
 
Originally posted by: CSMR
Well you can't blame M-Audio. Beta drivers are at your own risk and indicate they do not support 64 bit XP. They support regular Windows XP and Apple for all of their computer products I believe.
Click to expand...
Excuse me? That the beta drivers are of alpha quality could be accepted, given varying definitions of "beta," but M-Audio refuses to do anything about improving x64 drivers, and has halted development (they themselves said essentially that), leaving users who bought their cards due to the promise of working x64 drivers royally screwed. So yes, they most certainly do fall short with regard to offering working support for increasingly popular modern operating systems. And thus, I can and do blame them for that.
 
Honestly, soundcard drivers generally seem to be complete crap. If anyone knows of reasonably priced soundcard (under $150) that can offer bit-perfect optical output and also has good driver support, please chime in.
 
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Honestly, soundcard drivers generally seem to be complete crap. If anyone knows of reasonably priced soundcard (under $150) that can offer bit-perfect optical output and also has good driver support, please chime in.
Click to expand...
The E-MU 0404 is an excellently priced soundcard which offers bit perfect digital out through ASIO. The latest version of E-MU drivers works very well. Even the M-Audio Transit can do bit perfect output I believe. No driver issues here either.
 
Originally posted by: CSMR
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Honestly, soundcard drivers generally seem to be complete crap. If anyone knows of reasonably priced soundcard (under $150) that can offer bit-perfect optical output and also has good driver support, please chime in.
Click to expand...
The E-MU 0404 is an excellently priced soundcard which offers bit perfect digital out through ASIO. The latest version of E-MU drivers works very well. Even the M-Audio Transit can do bit perfect output I believe. No driver issues here either.
Click to expand...

It doesn't pass through AC3/Dolby Digital does it?
 
YOyoYOhowsDAjello, thanks for this great thread.
There is one thing you don't touch on and that is signal to noise ratio, This spec is listed on speakers and sound cards and I was really wondering what it is.
 
Another section missed out on is IEMs for headphones. I might do a small write-up on these, if I have time, but I'm gonna need someone to provide more indepth and/or personal experience details.
 
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: CSMR
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Honestly, soundcard drivers generally seem to be complete crap. If anyone knows of reasonably priced soundcard (under $150) that can offer bit-perfect optical output and also has good driver support, please chime in.
Click to expand...
The E-MU 0404 is an excellently priced soundcard which offers bit perfect digital out through ASIO. The latest version of E-MU drivers works very well. Even the M-Audio Transit can do bit perfect output I believe. No driver issues here either.
Click to expand...

It doesn't pass through AC3/Dolby Digital does it?
Click to expand...


It does. With drivers version 1.82
 
Anyone feel bored enough for a few hours to add soundcards to this thread ??? I'm eyeing up an Audigy 4 at Circuit City currently, just because I have a gift card to burn up. It appears the Audigy 2 series cards are not very different than the 4 series, but there are plenty of questions that could be answered by adding soundcards to the OP.
 
Originally posted by: WT
Anyone feel bored enough for a few hours to add soundcards to this thread ??? I'm eyeing up an Audigy 4 at Circuit City currently, just because I have a gift card to burn up. It appears the Audigy 2 series cards are not very different than the 4 series, but there are plenty of questions that could be answered by adding soundcards to the OP.
Click to expand...

I remember reading a review of the A4 series a long time ago, and IIRC, the A4 used the same chip as the A2. Performance was next-to-identical, also IIRC.
 
I've posted a few times. I'm just kind of done doing this sort of thing.

Occationally I'll respond to someone with a PM, but I was spending too much time here.

If anyone wants to take over this thread or post some new information, I'll put it into the OP.

(This includes if anyone wants to do a decent job organizing what I wrote) 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top