joes

The way that I have it set up now, I am using the onboard motherboard audio and GPU. I was under the assumption (maybe wrong) that because I was outputting the "digital data" to the Classe SSP via HDMI, I really didn't need an aux soundcard, letting the DACs in the SSP do the work. I assumed that the HDMI connection would give the best performance. From the Classe manual "Whenever possible, we recommend the use of HDMI for all audio and video source input connections... providing higher performance levels and simplifying component-to-component connections." The Intel motherboard that I chose, is supposed to support up to 32bit /192KHz bitstreaming via onboard audio. I have some confusion on that issue. Some things I read, state that bitstreaming is only necessary for blue-ray playback. I still need to test this to see if it works but I've read that for multi-channel, if I see a "Dolby True HD" or "DTS Master Audio" light up on the SSP, I am bitstreaming. How do I know if I am bitstreaming untouched data to the SSP during 2 channel playback? Would an auxiliary soundcard do anything different then the onboard audio if you are bitstreaming? More on my setup. Ideally, I wanted to have only one source component, the HTPC. This would stream data (audio/video) to the SSP via HDMI. I have an LCD TV connected via the HDMI output on the SSP. My CD library is currently ripped as lossless WMA, but that could change if there are better formats. I also have an optical blu-ray drive in the HTPC for movie playback. I don't think I would rip too many DVD's/Blu-rays to the hard drive. Most I would just watch via the optical drive. I've been digging into settings in Windows 7 and the Sound Manager. I have the Intel MEI installed (req'd for bitstreaming), disabled any affects that I could find. Just not sure how to verify the data streams are not being mutilated by Windows??? I'll try disconnecting internet and minimizing running programs to see if it makes a difference.

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and somewhat new to the audiophile world. I just put together a system in which i wanted to incorporate an HTPC for a music server, internet music, browsing, and Blu-Ray/DVD playback. My new system includes: Classe SSP-800 Surround Sound processor Classe CA-5300 5 x 300W/ch. amp B&W 802D speakers (front channel) B&W HTM2D center channel B&W Sub The HTPC is based on the following: Intel I3 2105 processor (sandy bridge) Intel DH67GD motherboard. Windows 7 64 bit with Media Center Here's my dilemna. Before i built the new HTPC, i had some of my OLD equipment hooked up to the Classe/B&W's. I tried playback on a Yamaha CD player, Yamaha DVD player, an old WindowsXP PC with a good soundblaster soundcard. Soundcard is probably 15 years old and the connection was a 3.5mm mini jack from the soundcard to the rca analog inputs on the Classe and it sounded pretty good. My goal was to have the new HTPC connected to the Classe via HDMI for audio/video. I was under the assumption that this would give me the highest quality video and audio. After doing some listening, it sounded like it was lacking "body, soundstage, highs and lows, life". I did some A/B comparison between the old PC and the new HTPC and there is a noticeable difference. I NEVER expected it to sound worse. What do i need to do to at least get back to the old PC sound level? Aux. soundcard? Windows Settings? Processor Settings? Different connections? Help is appreciated.