system setup?
Reply #1 – 2003-12-27 22:48:50
When your computer is playing the wave it produces a digital stream of bits. But then it has to be converted to analog to be able to be played on speakers. This Digital to Analog conversion phase determines most of the quality. Either the soundcard will have its own DAC or it will have a Digital out and when you connect it to a receiver you'll be using the receiver's DAC. There're many DAC's with different resolution and sampling frequencies. Then comes the amplification which also contributes to some quality loss/coloration. Amplification is necessary because the analog signal your DAC produces is not strong enough to drive your speakers. And that's the other step which costs. I would suggest get a decent soundcard with quality DAC, probably USB because it's platform independent and free of interference, and an amplifier (not a receiver). A receiver has superfluous circuitry for tuner, etc. that's why it will have lower quality amplifier for the same budget. And most receivers are aimed for common listeners and do not care for maximum quality DAC components. They also look quite bulky and ugly. This should cost around $400. I personally have a Stereo-Link sound card (other USB soundcards: 1 ,2 ). If you want multichannel output you'd be better off with a PCI card probably. I'd also recommend the AudioSource Amp Two : review 1 , review 2 . I got one for around $150. But it doesn't have a subwoofer out.