How to configure a PC for outstanding Audio?


How do you configure a PC for outstanding Analog Audio Output?

I am about to invest in a new PC (preferrably a standalone, but perhaps a laptop with external monitor or a desktop)and would love to have the capability to use it to connect to my hybrid NAD/McIntosh/ADS audio/HT system.

Thoughts?

Thank You,

Mark
mwilliford

Showing 2 responses by stateradiofan

I have been using a dedicated PC as my main source for about two years. These are some of the tweaks I have used to improve sound quality in my Windows XP system.

1. Using high quality PSU. I recently upgraded to the Corsair HX850 with great results. You can read a review at HardOCP.com regarding the excellent DC output from this unit. Others suggest using a linear PSU but that usually means modifying and/or building your own.

2. Minimizing power draw by underclocking cpu (1.2ghz works for me) & going fanless. I also put my HDD in an external enclosure and use the esata port so that I am not using the PSU for power. At this point I only have the motherboard and CD-Rom drive plugged into the PSU. Going fanless can cause some heat related issues so you will want to use a high quality cpu heatsink. I have been a Thermalright fan for a long time so I use the AXP-140.

3. Remove all but necessary services (done in msconfig). Black Viper's website is helpful in determining which services are useless. The biggies are Themes, Remote Access & Indexing.

4. Use a media player that supports ASIO/Bit Perfect output. I use the JRiver Media Jukebox 12 because it has a GUI that I like along with support for ASIO. Foobar2000 is another great choice if you like a stripped down look with lots of configuration options and plugins.

These are just some of the basic tweaks I would recommend to anyone just getting started in the PC audio realm.

My System

Custom PC -> Tascam US-144 -> Benchmark Dac1 -> McIntosh MC7100 -> Proac Reference 8 Signature w Sub (Cardas/Audioquest Cables)
Al,

I do use the Tascam US-144 as a USB to SPDIF converter. It was works well in my setup with great sound. As far as I know there is no d/a or a/d conversion with this unit if you are sending out via SPDIF. It does include analog out but I wasn't interested in using it as a DAC.

I was considering the offerings from Empirical Audio & Bel Canto but I decided to wait for a 24b/192khz model before I drop $500+ on a USB converter. So In the meantime I am more than happy with the US-144 considering its bargain basement price.

Interlochen,

My PC Specs are...

Intel E6300 CPU (considering a 35w Celeron 430)
XFX Nforce 630i Mobo (not the best board for audio, may replace)
1TB Western Digital Caviar Green HDD
AZiO ENC311SU31 HDD Enclosure
G.SKill 1GB DDR2 PC6400 (underclocked to 600mhz at CAS 3 Latency)
Corsair HX850 PSU (excellent low ripple & dc ouput)
Thermalright AXP-140 Heatsink
Omaura TF8 Aluminum Case (Company may have gone bye bye)

You should also check out the cics guide "The art of building computer transports" which you can find at http://imageevent.com/cics/v03theartofbuildingcomputertrnsp I didn't follow the guide step by step but some of the recommendations helped me with my system.