Stephenhdmrs

Thanks Guys! I will look into everything. I'm just a bit worried about active speakers as I feel I may not have that many options of upgrading later on. I just need to decide on which path I want to take. Active speakers are a good deal though. I will look into all the integrated amps/dacs. Read some reviews and such. Thanks, Stephen

The only reason I thought the Decco would work given it's low amp rating is because I generally don't turn the music all the way up or even close to it. I live in an apartment and try to be courteous to all my neighbors. Given that price range bixby what else should I consider looking at? Please forgive me, this is all new to me so I don't have any idea of what other companies sell quality items in my price range.

I'm amazed no one recommended the peachtree decco or nova? Thoughts? It's more expensive but maybe I can find one used. It's integrated so the more expensive price cuts out other equipment. ANd it has a tube on/off function which is neat.

Thanks a lot bixby. I really appreciate all your help. This has been more informational than the countless hours I have spent reading reviews online. If I do decide to go with a sound card dac I am more prone to spending more since it cuts out the dac and thus increases monetary options. I have windows 7 so I guess I won't have to worry about that one issue. Thinking about it, i'll probably go the EMU 1212 route and later down the road if I feel it isn't enough I can always add an external dac to the mix. At least now I have two name of speakers I can try to find and listen to. Again, thanks for everyone's help, especially yours bixby. The audio world is a big and confusing place but now it seems to make a tad bit more sense.

I consider myself very computer savvy. Almost any computer problem I can fix. Software interface shouldn't be a problem for me. Even if it's not plug and play I am comfortable enough to be able to get it to work. By the asus I assume you mean the asus xonar ST which everyone seems to really like. Just so I am more understanding of how these things work, it would appear the e-mu would just need an amplifier correct? Whereas the asus xonar would need a dac, pre-amp and then amp(or integrated amp)? I don't like the idea of the asus onboard dac being rendered useless by an external DAC. At the moment my creative sound card doesn't have a digital out. So I was looking into getting a cheap sound card that has a toslink out. And I am in the U.S. I will most likely end up at a home theater shop trying some amp/speaker combos. I looked into the PSB 25's and they look really nice. Decently priced to. I'm assuming with those smaller speakers I would need a sub with it to get more of a full bodied sound.

I should have specified. I have a PC with no fire wire out. Thanks for your everyone's help. It's a good starting place. I will check out some of your suggestions. Options are what are killing me. I've never seen so many options. Buy new cheaper speakers... or older top of the line speakers, mind you there are 40 different brands for each option. A million reviews later and i'm still back at square one. This will at least help me with more direction. Thanks!

Hi, I need some help with some suggestions as to how everything works and what I should be looking at. I currently have logitech 5.1 speakers that just aren't cutting it. I'm looking for a low budget set up. Between 1000 to tops of 2000 if it's some really good stuff. My room is about 12x12 where I will be doing most of my listening. I don't know if I should get a asus xonar sound card to a dac(which I have heard might be pointless). Again, i'm a total noob. I really enjoy listening to music and want a good entry system. 2 channel would be fine with me. So... does it go dac to amp to speakers? or dac to pre-amp to amp to speakers? or can I cut out the dac and pre-amp and go directly to amp if I get the asus xonar card? Or should I forget the xonar and get a decent dac? Used stuff is fine with me as that usually increases bang for my buck. I have no intention of blasting my music since i'm in an apartment. I listen to mostly rock and like a good female voice. So... what would you buy for me given that budget? Thanks!