NT Audiophiles: Please come in

Hank Scorpio · Jan 20, 2014

I consider myself somewhat of an audiophile and I'm sure there are many others like myself in this community. With that being said, I've decided to create this thread to seek guidance for this issue that I've been having for awhile now.

I have a lot of FLAC files and play them through my speakers using 3.5mm jack, but I've always felt like I was "bottle necking" the quality of the audio. I knew I was getting the most out of what I was playing. A few months ago, someone put me on to 24-bit Lossless audio. I was blown away after reading what this was all about. It's basically like the blu-ray of audio.

I knew the current setup I have now wouldn't be suitable to play these sort of files. Would anyone know what kind of equipment I'd need in order to properly play these files and get the most out of it?

I know I'd probably need to use another media player such as Foobar or Audirvana etc

i would also need an amplifier or receiver connected to speakers to get full fidelity. I also know that I'd need a DAC connected to my computer. The issue I'm having is that IDK what particular speakers or DAC i'd need for this project. I wouldn't want to get something too crazy and then have it be overkill.

Anyone have any input on this?

P.S. I already know about head-fi.org

createdestroy · Jan 20, 2014

Are you using a PC or mac? Laptop or desktop?

hybridsoldier23 · Jan 20, 2014

I have a high end audio card in my tower, studio monitors and use winamp to play all my audio including my 24/96 files.

There's not a ton of audio that is true 24/96 though as many files you may be finding are transcoded or up-converts. Very few artists are releasing and mixing with 24/96 in mind but there are a lot of vinyl rips that are 24/96 that do sound very good. I've found that most people can't tell the difference from normal FLACs vs 24/96. But it bothers me though when people try to tell me that some 192kbps stuff sounds just the same as my FLAC files and that they don't hear any difference.

mangudai954 · Jan 20, 2014

I'm still skeptical about 24/96 sounding noticeably better. I read some articles made by audio engineers that showed that it wasn't really that serious.

HEATHEN · Jan 20, 2014

audiophile you say?

View media item 757184

createdestroy · Jan 20, 2014

HybridSoldier23 said:
But it bothers me though when people try to tell me that some 192kbps stuff sounds just the same as my FLAC files and that they don't hear any difference.

if the sound card, speakers, and cables aren't on point... there won't be much of a difference

hybridsoldier23 · Jan 20, 2014

CreateDestroy said:
HybridSoldier23 said:

But it bothers me though when people try to tell me that some 192kbps stuff sounds just the same as my FLAC files and that they don't hear any difference.

Click to expand...

if the sound card, speakers, and cables aren't on point... there won't be much of a difference

I can agree with this to an extent, not to mention everyone has their own personal taste in EQ settings but specifically when people throw on some 192 garbage from their iphone in an car and I proceed to shut it off for the actual CD and they tell me they can't hear a difference I'm just baffled.

Hank Scorpio · Jan 20, 2014

CreateDestroy said:
Are you using a PC or mac? Laptop or desktop?

I have a Macbook Pro 15"

HybridSoldier23 said:
I have a high end audio card in my tower, studio monitors and use winamp to play all my audio including my 24/96 files.

There's not a ton of audio that is true 24/96 though as many files you may be finding are transcoded or up-converts. Very few artists are releasing and mixing with 24/96 in mind but there are a lot of vinyl rips that are 24/96 that do sound very good. I've found that most people can't tell the difference from normal FLACs vs 24/96. But it bothers me though when people try to tell me that some 192kbps stuff sounds just the same as my FLAC files and that they don't hear any difference.

No DAC? Or does your card already have an RCA out?

hybridsoldier23 · Jan 20, 2014

No DAC but that's why I made this thread:

http://niketalk.com/t/579636/audio-heads-please-recommend-me-a-desktop-audio-hub#post_19529452

Not to thread jack but maybe someone in here will answer

I'm looking for some kind of audio hub for my desktop computer at home/work and have been unable to find one. Can anyone on NT recommend one?

Current home setup:

-Two studio monitors with XLR inputs. Currently using an XLR to 3.5mm inch inputs directly to my tower
-Sub going into the tower
-Gaming headset
-Microphone
-1/4 inch input for a guitar would be nice but not a must
-Setup at work is very similar

The biggest issue I have is having to unplug/plugin my headphones and gaming headset because the front inputs on my tower are garbage. There's also no real easy way to control my audio except through Windows/Keyboard. So having an outside controller would be a huge benefit. Does anyone know a product that will work for me? Thanks!

createdestroy · Jan 20, 2014

Hank Scorpio said:
CreateDestroy said:

Are you using a PC or mac? Laptop or desktop?

Click to expand...

I have a Macbook Pro 15"

HybridSoldier23 said:

I have a high end audio card in my tower, studio monitors and use winamp to play all my audio including my 24/96 files.

There's not a ton of audio that is true 24/96 though as many files you may be finding are transcoded or up-converts. Very few artists are releasing and mixing with 24/96 in mind but there are a lot of vinyl rips that are 24/96 that do sound very good. I've found that most people can't tell the difference from normal FLACs vs 24/96. But it bothers me though when people try to tell me that some 192kbps stuff sounds just the same as my FLAC files and that they don't hear any difference.

Click to expand...

No DAC? Or does your card already have an RCA out?

View media item 757253Apogee Duet $640+

View media item 757255Schiit Bifrost $349+

View media item 757257Focusrite Forte $499+

Let me know if these are a bit high for your budget and i'll get you a list of less expensive well reviewed interfaces

wr · Jan 20, 2014

External soundcards can help.

That way you won't be limited to 3.55mm jack outputs.

You can also ad external eq and other devices to sweeten sound.

Optical cables are supposed to be the best. No conductor to wear out and interference issues.

Here's one I'm currently interested in for $550.00

MOTU:

"they were the first company to develop Mac based music production software back when the world of MIDI was first opening up a whole new range of possibilities for composers and producers alike."

Hank Scorpio · Jan 20, 2014

CreateDestroy said:
View media item 757253Apogee Duet $640+

View media item 757255Schiit Bifrost $349+

View media item 757257Focusrite Forte $499+

Let me know if these are a bit high for your budget and i'll get you a list of less expensive well reviewed interfaces

Money isn't really a concern for me, but it's more about practicality and efficiency. Now that I'm thinking about it--I'd like to have a pretty nice sound system.

For DAC's, I was looking into the Adioengine D1.

Would you please recommend me a receivers with some speakers?

I was looking into this set up:

Receiver: Amazon product ASIN B00B981F38
I did see some more expensive receivers, but didn't understand why pay extra for networking purposes and 3D? The networking is something I'd be interested in, but not sure how i'd use it. I know I won't use 3D.

Floor Sanding Speakers: Amazon product ASIN B003XRD9TG
Center channel speaker: Amazon product ASIN B003XRD9UK
Satellite rear speakers: Amazon product ASIN B003XRD9VE or Amazon product ASIN B003XRD9UA
I was thinking of hooking this set up with my 65" Panasonic ZT60 when I watch TV or use the PS3. I also wanted to use this set up to play my 24/96 files off my computer as well.

Am I on the right track or would you recommend something else?

offbad · Jan 20, 2014

yikes you can do a LOT better than that for a receiver in that price range.

and MUCH better if money's not an object.

Hank Scorpio · Jan 20, 2014

offbad said:
yikes you can do a LOT better than that for a receiver in that price range.

and MUCH better if money's not an object.

I figured this would be the case. Excuse my ignorance. I'm not well-versed in this matter.

Could you please recommend what I'd need? Again, I would use the sound system to watch TV and play movies through blu-ray and files off my computer. I also want to play 24/96 audio files from my computer.

Practicality means more to me than having something powerful I'd never use.

offbad · Jan 20, 2014

Hank Scorpio said:
offbad said:

yikes you can do a LOT better than that for a receiver in that price range.

and MUCH better if money's not an object.

Click to expand...

I figured this would be the case. Excuse my ignorance. I'm not well-versed in this matter.

Could you please recommend what I'd need? Again, I would use the sound system to watch TV and play movies through blu-ray and files off my computer. I also want to play 24/96 audio files from my computer.

Practicality means more to me than having something powerful I'd never use.

there's a wealth of knowledge on avsforums if you're game

yamaha is kinda budget oriented. aventage is the line to get from them.

onkyo is well regarded as most bang for your buck, but tend to generate a lot of heat. the TX NR line is the one to get

denon, pioneer, harmon/kardon are usually benchmark receivers.

sony tends to overrate their RMS

marantz is my current fave by far.

Hank Scorpio · Jan 21, 2014

I was looking into some of the Onkyo receivers, but wasn't sure which one fits what I need.

Can you please link me to the AVS forums I'd be interested in looking into?

Hank Scorpio · Jan 22, 2014

sir charles · Jan 22, 2014

Could someone reccomend me a good portable speaker? Preferably Bluetooth with a long battery life and good quality sound. I go cycling and refuse to wear headphones. Small would be nice so it could be mounted somewhere without taking up too much room.

offbad · Jan 22, 2014

Hank Scorpio said:
I was looking into some of the Onkyo receivers, but wasn't sure which one fits what I need.

Can you please link me to the AVS forums I'd be interested in looking into?

http://www.avsforum.com/f/90/receivers-amps-and-processors

hybridsoldier23 · Jan 22, 2014

createdestroy So I'm pretty determined to dump using my soundcard and move on to an external DAC.

Since I have active studio monitors I would not need a DAC + AMP but just a DAC correct? However, most DAC only boxes I see have no external volume control (which i really want for convenience sake).

Should I just use a Fiio E17 using XLR to 3.5mm? What would you recommend in this case if I'm just concentrated on just listening to music.

EDIT: After reading a bit on Head-Fi I actually found out that the Fiio E17 combined with the Fiio E09K will do what I need as it has a pre out RCA input that bypasses its amp and just uses the knob for volume control with the E17's DAC function.

I think I will be going that route but would like to hear if you have an opinion.

ninerlen · Jan 22, 2014

I'd check Best buy for a open box receiver. I just bought the yamaha rx a2020 for $799.99 it retailed for $1599.99. I know the new model just came out the rx a2030 maybe you can catch a deal on last years models. I mostly bought it for home theater but I do listen to super audio cd's and dvd audio discs. I really like the air play feature I'm able to access my music library wireless from my iphone or iPad.

needemjs1 · Jan 22, 2014

No love for the pioneer elite receivers?

If it were me and money wasn't an option, id probably be going with Bowers and Wilkins speakers...

Also, audioquest makes a decent inexpensive DAC called the firefly. It's USB to 3.5

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NT Audiophiles: Please come in

Hank Scorpio

createdestroy

hybridsoldier23

mangudai954

HEATHEN

createdestroy

hybridsoldier23

Hank Scorpio

hybridsoldier23

createdestroy

wr

Hank Scorpio

offbad

Hank Scorpio

offbad

Hank Scorpio

Hank Scorpio

sir charles

offbad

hybridsoldier23

ninerlen

needemjs1

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