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I need some advice on a headphone and speaker amp for my computer setup. I am not very knowledgeable about audio, but I like decent sound. I use a Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic card, Altec Lansing MX 5021 speakers, and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones. My current setup is that the speakers are plugged directly into the 3.5mm stereo output of the XtremeMusic card, and when I use headphones, they are plugged into the audio controller that controls volume, treble, and bass (the standard type of controller that comes with most computer speakers). One issue is that the headphone audio degrades when run through this controller; when plugged directly into the 3.5mm output of the sound card, the audio is noticeably cleaner. I'd like to upgrade my speakers to the Corsair SP2500 (or another similar 2.1 speaker system) and add an amplifier. This amplifier must accept a 3.5mm input from the sound card and be able to provide 3.5mm output for both the speakers and the headphones at the same time. Basically, it must have at least one 3.5mm input for the sound card and at least two 3.5mm outputs for the speakers and headphones, as well as a volume control knob for each. I also want this amplifier to do more than provide audio to multiple sources -- I primarily want it to make my music and games sound better. My budget is up to $300, but I'd also like to be reasonable in what I buy; an amp that costs $100 more but sounds 10% better is not worth it to me, even if it's within my budget. I don't know what these types of amps are called, and which ones simply split signals and which ones actually improve audio quality. Also, I realize that some amps have 1/4" holes instead of 1/8" ones, so as long as I can use an adapter, the holes can be any size that can accommodate or be transformed to accommodate a standard (green-colored) analog 3.5mm plug. Specifically, I am looking for an amp like this, but one that will make the audio sound cleaner, crisper, and better. As you can see, it has an 1/4" input for the sound card four 1/4" outputs for the headphones and speakers (I would only need two, though). Would this more expensive one work for my purposes?
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Jun 20, 2012 01:13
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| # ¿ May 16, 2024 04:23 |
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Factory Factory posted:I'm not the board's biggest audio geek, but I'm going to suggest a slightly different route: What kind of amp? Do you have any that you recommend for my purposes? This was my basic question. I was thinking about an ASUS Xonar ST or STX, but I'm not sure how much of a difference I'd hear coming from an X-Fi XtremeMusic. I have not heard that computer speakers suck before; I've heard just the opposite given a good setup. A good soundcard, speakers, and an amp, I've read, can be better than much more expensive home audio setups. I also got my X-Fi card in 2005 or 2006, a short while after building my first computer. Coming from integrated audio, there was a substantial improvement in audio quality. I just don't have other cards to compare mine to. My speakers rest on my desk below ear level, but I rarely use while at my desk. I'm usually doing stuff around my room when I use them, or if I'm watching something. I usually use my headphones when I'm sitting. What 2.1 Logitech speakers are you using? Do you suggest that I move my post to the A/V Arena forum? small butter fucked around with this message at 14:40 on Jun 21, 2012 |
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Jun 21, 2012 14:33
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