Stuff to make my PC sound good

[Summo]

This could well have gone in the hardware forum, but I'd appreciate views from people who have an ear for sound.

My old mini-system plugged into my poota is about to give up and die. Seeing as its only used to output sound from my PC, I thought I'd be able to replace it with a new, proper sound card and maybe get myself some fancy, solid speakers.

My questions are... is there any way to make PC audio output sound as good as a big, throbbing stereo system?

The only speakers I've seen on PCs are those unbelievably crap little biege ones. I want BASS, dammit! Do I need a separate amp? (presumably not, as I'm guessing the PC acts as one, but what do I know) And what speakers and card would you recommend?

Thanks. I love you all.

 

[Scooba Da Bass]

As much as I hate Creative, one of the Soundblaster's with a decent set of outputs (ie RCAs) will do the job just fine. You can go down the powered speaker route but frankly unless you are paying 600 quid for a pair they sound like shit, plus you have the disadvantage that if either part goes (Speaker or amp) you are left with two things that don't work. As you are coming from a micro hi-fi I'd recommend taking a look at a package deal from Richer Sounds, it won't break the bank, and it'll sound pretty fantastic compared to what you have right now. I know a few months ago they had a deal including the biwirable KEF Cresta 2s which are stunning speakers for their size along with a very servicable Technics cd player. Go onto their webby and see what they are offering or grab a copy of what hi-fi after Xmas to see what their January sale offers.

 

[(Shovel)]

Also recommending Richer Sounds.

I used to do the same as you Summo, using a micro system to do it. Basically for about £150 you can get a small AMP (I have a Cambridge Audio A1) and some small speakers. Since this a computer "small" (in hi fi terms) will do you fine. It'll sound much much better straight away.

I was listening to some music off a friends 5.1 surround setup teh other day, using some CL speaker wet up and it sounded horrible. The tweeters on those things are horribley 'tinny'. I'd rate my stereo set up above anything else I've heard so far for sure.

For reference: Cambridge A1 ~£70
Speakers (e.g. JPW, Eltax, even some small Missions) £60 - £100.

 

[(Shovel)]

Also bear in mind that you only need to buy something relative to what you already know.

 

[Summo]

Wise words, Shovel. Thank you both. I had suspected I'd be better off going down the hi-fi route rather than getting some PC speakers.

I appreciate your ability to think down to my level, Scoobs.

Richer Sounds it is...

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Aye.

Don't buy any of this bollocks sold as PC sound stuff - it's overly priced, and poorly specd.

It's best to get yourself down to richer sounds, like a good human being would do. Purchase an amp, some good speakers - inform the staff you'll be listening via pc (e.g 3.5mm jack to phono connection) and they should sort you out with some good wires (don't skimp here, you're a fagot if you do).

 

[Summo]

Righto! Woo-hoo! This is easy now!

 

[(Shovel)]

Yep

I do recommend the Cambridge A1. At one point we had about three in different places back home. They are a genuinely great budget amp.
The one's at home have slowly been replaced by more expensive hi fi but one of them was inherited by me and the other is going straight into the family's "new" computer set up.

 

[stu]

Don't go to Richer Sounds, they'll just try and push their own brands (eg Sherwood, Mordaunt Short, Cambridge Audio, etc) onto you. Better off going somewhere independent like Superfi or Sevenoaks. Having said that, if you want "budget" stuff Richer might be your best choice (thing is, I can guarantee once you've listened to some decent hi fi you'll want to buy it, and use it for more than just routing your PC sound through).

 

[Summo]

Well, my stereo finally stopped working completely, so I went to Richer Sounds and on their recommendation purchased the following:

• Cambridge Audio A5 amp - Retail price £120, but I got an ex-demo model for £70 with three years warranty.
• Eltax Symphony 2.3 speakers - £100
• New, quality speaker cables

Sounds lovely but I'm just warming them in and haven't FILLED THE PLACE WITH BASS yet. Some constant, quiet hissing, though which to my unknowing brain I'm attributing to either my low-quality sound card (Creative 512PCI) or old 3.5mm-to-phono cable.

 

[Scooba Da Bass]

Originally posted by Summo
Some constant, quiet hissing, though which to my unknowing brain I'm attributing to either my low-quality sound card (Creative 512PCI) or old 3.5mm-to-phono cable.

Both smell, get a soundcard with RCA outs.

 

[stu]

Told you they'd flog you their brands

Did they spec you a set of CA Pacific interconnects with that by any chance?

btw, you know never to turn it off don't you? And to run the speakers in.

 

[.cage]

to BRING BACK AN OLD THREAD!!!!!

should I buy a similar setup in their jan sale, what kinda cables would i need to route my pc, ps2/gc and dvd/vhs through it?

 

[caLLous]

Sorry, I don't know. I had a similar(ish) thread going in Hardware which everyone seems to have simultaneously stopped replying to.

 

[.cage]

perhaps my friend, this resurrected thread will answer our questions!

 

[caLLous]

Good thinking, Batman!

Scooba will know, Scooba always knows.

 

[Scooba Da Bass]

I've not got a GC so I have no idea what it has round the back audiowise. For the PS2 you'll need a cable with a breakout pair of RCA connector they'll go into the amp in any line level input. Unless your PC has RCA outputs you'll need a 3.5mm minijack to RCA cable, this again will go into a line level output. Most DVD/VHS players now have dedicated RCA outputs so you can use a stndard RCA cable to connect it up, again to a line level output. If not you can get scart cables with an extra audio breakoff.

 

[.cage]

I have a scart cable for both my GC/PS2 with breakoff red/white av cables... are those the rca cables you speak of? pardon my lameness, and thankyou kindly!

 

[Scooba Da Bass]

Yeah the red and white ones are called RCA

 

[.cage]

praise be to scooba, he is the lord!