What's your PC audio setup?

[pctech]

I thought it might be interesting to compare PC audio setups (sound cards, speakers and any amps you may have connected)

I have a Creative X-FI Xtrememusic card linked to a Harman/Kardon speaker set comprising a subwoofer and two speakers.

[Technical Ben]

Cup and string... 

[pctech]

ha ha

[Simon]

Logitec.  Two speakers and sub.  Don't know the model number.  Had them years.  I'm not all that fussed about PC sound, as if I want to listen to music properly, I'll use the Hifi. 

[Steve]

If your asking for playing Music

Mac Mini 2010> HRT Music Streamer 11+ (usb asynchronous DAC) > Roksan Kandy K2 > Dynaudio Focus 140

[Rik]

Meridian 201 pre-amp, 205 power amps, 208 CD player, KEF Ref 104 speakers.

Sorry, misread that - you said PC. Soundblaster & Creative Labs 6.1 speakers, which I use as 2.1.

[Niall]

I use the X-fi Creative card too, although when I upgrade my PC in the new year I'll be changing to the Asus sound card from Scan as I'm sick of Creative.

The speakers I use were the top end Logitech 5.1 setup when I got them about 7 years ago. Still going today, and are very nice. The sound quality is awesome. I used to use Sennheiser PC150s for headphones, but as I don't use voice comm software to talk to my mates any more, I didn't replace them when they broke. They have incredible sound quality and noise cancellation too

[zappaDPJ]

It depends what I'm doing and if there's anyone else in the room.

If I'm on my own and not gaming I route my ASUS sound card through a Cyrus amp into Linn speakers. If I'm on my own and gaming I do the same but route voice comms through a USB Plantronics headset with an in-line sound card. If I'm not on my own everything gets routed through the headset or if I'm listening to music or watching a movie on-line, a pair of Sennheiser head phones.

Hmmm, perhaps I should get a room to myself 

[Rik]

 

I bagged the second bedroom when we moved here, Zap. Just as well given my penchant for collecting printers.

[pctech]

How many printers you got Rik?

I have to say I hate the damn things.

[Rik]

Currently six, but I'm about to reduce that to five.

[pctech]

I just have the one.

[Rik]

It's my graphics background at work, Mitch. I have to have a laser, but as an every day printer I use an HP Photosmart all-in-one. For photos, I use a Canon (as it uses the AdobeRGB workspace) and then I have a dedicated label printer, a dye-sub and a portable HP, 6x4. I also have a Polaroid Pogo, but that really is rubbish.

[mrapoc]

Creative X Fi xtrememusic > digital coax > yamaha rx-v2400RDS Natural sound AV Receiver > 2 x XTZ 93wmt (A very good deal on Avforums direct to the company - got both for under £200)

Sound as if they are worth double that

[drummer]

Pretty boring here, just a few E-MU PCI cards feeding a small mixing desk and a bunch of Midi modules but mainly, rubbishy onboard audio.

I am thinking about upgrading to stereo though...

[Rik]

[Nova]

X-Fi Fatality Pro, Cambridge Soundworks speakers, 4.1 setup

The subwoofer makes double glazing shake, this is good enough for me.

[Fox]

Asus Xonar Essence ST > Naim Nait 5 > Rogers LS3 5a may be a little light in absolute bass but very very musical. I got the Rogers speakers when i worked for the BBC, had them for years but they still sound good. The Naim amp was surplus to requirements when i got into home theatre

[Gary]

Old Logitech Z2300's and on-board iMac soundcard which is surprisingly good (well it surprised me), that's enough for when I am on the PC, other wise I use my HiFi

[klipp]

I use the on board sound card, IDK what make it is but I use the optical output so that leaves the sound card not doing very much.

[wecpcs]

I use the on board sound card, IDK what make it is but I use the optical output so that leaves the sound card not doing very much.

I do exactly the same using the coax port on my Asus motherboard and display from my Nvidia 260 (HDMI), into my now spare Onkyo 606 A/V receiver with along with a Freeview box (not HD) but has an HDMI connector also.

I have now scrapped my Logitech PC 2.1 speaker system and have got back from my sisters my 20-25 year old Royd Conistan speakers which I had on my first Hifi system which then consisted of a Rega Planar 3 turntable/Creek Amp/Creek Tuner/Denon dual tape deck/Royd Conistan speakers. The speakers are British built by Joe Acroyd (now deceased) and won awards in leading Hifi mags at the time. They sound absolutely supurb when I play FLAC files from my Windows Home Server and bring back memories of how music should sound, something I lost when I switched to Home Cinema instead years ago.

My computer room is now also my music room as it sounds so much better than my latest Onkyo 608 in the lounge with a recently purchased Canton Movie 80SX surround system, which is great for movies but sadly lacking in the audio department.

Colin

[Simon]

Yes, I've yet to find an AV amp that does CD audio well. 

[Steve]

I suppose AV amps are 'jack of all trades' when it comes to stereo.