JimW

I have to say this and excellent forum! Lots of informative reviews and opinions as well as various and sometimes krafty ways for computer audio use. The Dacs I have liked for my budget are HRT, E-MU 0404, Vlab, Beresford, Cambridge,VDAC, ect. I would like to know if these would be better for music listening compared to Asus Essence? I would like to use my subwoofer, but I haven't figured how to use it with a DAC, unless there is a sub output? I read the VLab has good sound quality, but only processes 16bit max. I am curious if and upsampling DAC such as a Cambridge would provide better sound quality, especially utilizing Redbook standards? Still it would be nice to get a little advice, seeing as I had no idea what any of these components did until recently! I'll try to get some user inputs on some of the other forums!

I just joined this forum and happen to find it via a google search for "How to hook up passive speakers to a P.C. My speakers are fairly decent, they use a B&G Neo3 tweeter and 6.5 Accuton mid woofer. I also use a powered sub with a GR Research driver. The low end is good enough for me at this point. My equipment was relegated to the computer room due to flac from my significant other as well as my daughters who side with her on everything, except when they need money! I am very new to computer audio and there are many things to learn. I think I have connected everything up in the worst possible way? I have a Velocity Micro computer that is very quiet and I keep it in a cabinet for lower noise, but it can not be heard anyway. It has a 7.1 Intel HD Intergrated M.B. Whatever that means, as I only listen to 2.1 stereo music on this. For connections I have 3, 2.0 USB, Mic-in, line-out and FireWire. I am not sure what would be best for a budget starter set-up. I am not sure if a cheap external audio card with coaxial connection and a DAC would be better then a audiophile sound card such as Asus Essence? I have my speakers connected to monoblock amplifiers with volume control and then RCA converted to 1/8 adapter going into the computer. I have the sub going into a seperate audio input on the computer. I know I need some sort of D/A converter, hopefuly one that offers the highest resolution and great sound quality. I am sure this would make my standard files sound better as well as the ability to enjoy High REZ, when I download them. Can anyone recommend DACs, cards or components for what I have that offer and improvement? Advice on how to connect components will help as well and be much appreciated. Thank you