PC for Home Theater & Music
Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 1:15 pm
I started this topic to discuss different computer-based audio systems in use by the techno-savvy people here.
Still using two crappy desktop multimedia speakers and a Sound Blaster? Or have you built the A/V Super Computer System? Tips, tricks, pointers?
I just upgraded my computer audio setup. I was using Klipsch ProMedia 4-channel multimedia speakers, but grew tired of the all muscle/no subtlelty sub/sat sound.
So I picked up this pretty sweet Pioneer Elite A-35R 2-channel integrated amp. It's 65 WPC into 4 ohms. I got that thing new for like $160 shipped. Then I grabbed some Event 20/20 shielded studio monitors, a remarkable value at $260/pr. from Sam Ash on a price match to B&H. Hooked 'em up to my Roland A/D, D/A, and wow! Can't be beat for anywhere near the price (~$420 total) I paid.
The Event 20/20s are SWEET computer monitors. The 8-inch woofers deal out very tight, dynamic, present bass. The tweeters are very revealing, but not harshly bright like some studio monitors (ahem, Tannoy) can be. Highly recommended.
Now for the Pioneer. It's not a super powerful amp, but is good for critical monitoring as it has a circuitry bypassing "Direct" switch that keeps the sound accurate. For an amp that's only 45W into 8 ohms, it has fat heatsinks and an impressively heavy power supply.
Here's a link to it for $130+shipping. http://www.expressaudiovideo.com/inam.html
You can't even buy a crappy Teac stereo receiver for that. They shipped the same day I ordered. Gray market? Maybe...couldn't tell. Seems to be a standard U.S. retail model, though. Onecall has the same unit for--I think--$199.
NatW
Still using two crappy desktop multimedia speakers and a Sound Blaster? Or have you built the A/V Super Computer System? Tips, tricks, pointers?
I just upgraded my computer audio setup. I was using Klipsch ProMedia 4-channel multimedia speakers, but grew tired of the all muscle/no subtlelty sub/sat sound.
So I picked up this pretty sweet Pioneer Elite A-35R 2-channel integrated amp. It's 65 WPC into 4 ohms. I got that thing new for like $160 shipped. Then I grabbed some Event 20/20 shielded studio monitors, a remarkable value at $260/pr. from Sam Ash on a price match to B&H. Hooked 'em up to my Roland A/D, D/A, and wow! Can't be beat for anywhere near the price (~$420 total) I paid.
The Event 20/20s are SWEET computer monitors. The 8-inch woofers deal out very tight, dynamic, present bass. The tweeters are very revealing, but not harshly bright like some studio monitors (ahem, Tannoy) can be. Highly recommended.
Now for the Pioneer. It's not a super powerful amp, but is good for critical monitoring as it has a circuitry bypassing "Direct" switch that keeps the sound accurate. For an amp that's only 45W into 8 ohms, it has fat heatsinks and an impressively heavy power supply.
Here's a link to it for $130+shipping. http://www.expressaudiovideo.com/inam.html
You can't even buy a crappy Teac stereo receiver for that. They shipped the same day I ordered. Gray market? Maybe...couldn't tell. Seems to be a standard U.S. retail model, though. Onecall has the same unit for--I think--$199.
NatW