pcad02

Have you tried these speakers connecting them directly to your PC without a seperate DAC? If so, what do you think?

1audio, "Definitely not a Horror show. Chicago CES with sweltering heat, unions expecting to be paid to plug your audio into the wall, really dumpy hotels (they through out the hookers for the week), poor transportation options etc. was a much worse challenge. I don't miss that." Is that the one they used to call "The Wake on the Lake?"

Julf "A couple of definitional quotes: "Technical terminology is the specialized vocabulary of any field" and "Technical terminology exists in a continuum of formality. Precise technical terms and their definitions are formally recognised, documented, and taught by educators in the field". By those criteria, "USB", "DAC", "UPnP" and "DLNA", while being acronyms, are also part of the terminology of computer audio. Most definitely. But both the abbreviations and the terms "Universal Serial Bus" and "Digital to Analog Converter" are also technical terms, just like "sample rate", "resolution" and a bunch of other terms we keep throwing around here regularly." You may have me there as I didn't check a dictionary before posting. The way I see it is that you can buy a DAC or you can buy a computer with a USB port but you can't buy a "sample rate" or a "resolution", so I don't see them as the same thing. Sample rate and resolution are clearly technical terms that can correctly be used to describe a DAC or a USB port. However, DACs and USB ports, I feel, fall under the products/features catagory, because thats what they are. Like I said before, though, I didn't use a dictionary. And for that, I am truly sorry. You know, as I am typing this, I just realized that you seem to be taking this personally for some reason. I don't recall singleing you out for anything. Heres my origional post. "Audio show? What audio show? It looks like everyone missed it because they were too busy arguing, in some of the other threads, about a whole bunch of worthless technical terms that have nothing to do with listening to music. By the looks of it, they'll probably miss the next show as well. The insults are racking up as we speak." With regards to my quote, I offer 2 comments. 1. I just say that it looks like everyone is arguing. The statement itself implies that I may be wrong. But from my perspective, though, it really did look that way. I was just calling it as I saw it. 2. I said some of the other threads. Thats pretty clear; some is not all. Do you really mean to suggest that there are no threads on this website where people argue about silly things that have nothing to do with audio? Again, thats a judgement call on my part but I think most people would agree that there is, at least, an occasional, "worthless", comment made, as I put it, made on this web site?

Julf, "The technical terms might be worthless for listening to music, but they are rather essential when talking about reproducing digitally recorded music. This site and forum is not (as far as I know, Chris can correct me if I am wrong) the Music Listener's Forum, but Computer Audiophile, "The Preeminent Source for Computer Audio & Music Server Information and Reviews. USB DACs, Best USB DACs, Digital to analog converters, UPnP, DLNA." Bunch of "worthless" technical terms right there in the description..." I really don't know how you can get all that from my post. As far as I know, "USB DACs, Best USB DACs, Digital to analog converters, UPnP, DLNA." Bunch of "worthless" technical terms right there in the description..." are just acronyms for products, features or services. I don't see them as technical terms; or worthless for that matter. Unless I am mistaken, they are just uses as descriptors to give a general focus as to what the website deals with. By the way, whats "Chris". Sorry, I haven't been using this site that long. Is it some type of reference or audiophile fact check program? Anyway, all this is probably just a miscommunication. I'm willing to bet we both agree that a USB DAC (Thats: Universal Serial Bus Digital to Analog Converter) is a product you must have if you are going to either listen to Digital music or reproduce digitally recorded music, as you say. My mistake. I left the digital out. Sorry about the error.

When you say better, what exactly do you mean? Are there certain features you need or is it a sound quality issue? I'm pretty sure Foobar2000 will run on XP. I like it much better than itunes.

I hope you didn't take offense to my comment before about upgrading your speakers first. I'm not familiar with the Sony's that you have and didn't realize what you had put into them and how much you like them. Given that, I think it makes good sense to keep your speakers and start with a DAC. I think Mayhem's recommendation of the HRT is a great choice. You just can't beat the sound quality vs price. Not only that, you will be achieving something that 99% of audiophiles can only dream of: Comming in at, or below your budget. What ever you do decide to do, please post with what you bought and how much you like it. I'm sure that most of us here want to see how this turns out for you.

You have a pretty decent amp to start out with. As far as your speakers go, there is nothing wrong with them but I don't think they have enough resolution to take advantage of what a new DAC will offer. My advice would be if you like your speakers and plan to keep them, use the system as is and don't buy anything. If you are willing to upgrade your speakers, I would do that first and the DAC 2nd.

Audio show? What audio show? It looks like everyone missed it because they were too busy arguing, in some of the other threads, about a whole bunch of worthless technical terms that have nothing to do with listening to music. By the looks of it, they'll probably miss the next show as well. The insults are racking up as we speak.

I think that mayhem is correct in that more info would be good. Generally speaking, though, you may want to take a mixed approach. An equipment rack is very important. A well designed audio rack does a few important things. I find, if you have revealing components, you can get better sound quality with a good rack. The differences are not huge, but for me, at least, noticable depending on equipment. Also, a premade audio rack, will have the proper size shelves and adjustments etc.. that the equipment demands. Given the above, my sugestion would be to consider a premade audio rack and possibly compliment it with some type of shell or enclosure that is custom made. You don't say so I assume the reason for building a custom rack is to integrate it your room so it looks better with existing furnature you already have.

autoformer, I don't mean to get off topic, but I have 1 quick question. What is the difference between and autoformer and an output transformer? Or are they basically the same thing? I've never been able to get a clear answer on this. Given your name, I thought you would probably know.

Julf. I thought I was bad. You have real talent for causing trouble. I thought a thread focusing on the differences between cables was about as violent a topic as you can pick. Throwing religion and American politics into the mix is truly evil. Well done. I can't wait to see what your next topic is.

I'm not an electrician, so I could be wrong about this, but would it not be possible to install some type of bypass for a dimmer? If it could be isolated and shut off when you listen to your system, I don't see how it could cause problems.

bluesman I bet the people in the call center have never even herd of 3 phase electric. Therefore it dosen't exist. Did they check with their supervisor?

The best way to explain to explain black sand is to get a color chart and find white. Its usually all the way on one end. From there, proceed across the chart. You'll probably have to go all the way across, right to the end. When you get there, thats what black sand should look like.

I may be wrong about this but I can't see how using headphones in this manner will help you treat your room. How to you get around whatever colorations the headphones introduce? I would just go with your current room and system as its own reference because those are the exact components that you need to get sounding right anyway. Also, not to get too far off topic, but I see you have set a price on headphones in the $100 area. If you are one a budget with the rest of your system (Like most of us), I came across a way to treat a room and save a great deal of money. Most room treatments are made using fiberglass. A cheap and very effective way to make your own room treatments is to go out and buy fiberglass; not the big rolls but the square/rectangle ones you put up like tile. All you really need to do is cover them with a thin fabric in a color that you like, and you have home made room tunes that work really well. I've never compared them directly to ready made audiophile products you can go out and buy, but from the response of the people who have done a comparison is within a range of: Almost as good to Just as good. I haven't done a comparison on the ones I made, but I can tell you they make a pretty big difference and I'm very happy with them. One useful tip I can share is that if you mount them on stands, you can place them exactly where you need them; as opposed to just mounting them on the walls. Hope this info helps.