htpc to connect through "budget audiophile" setup - Overclock.net

poprhetor · 06-22-09

Disclaimer: This is a redrafted repost from the htpc forum where it sat for five days with no replies. I'm hoping this is a more appropriate forum.

The other day a friend of mine gave me his old water cooling kit. I've never worked with this stuff, so I thought I would begin with a simple computer: one bcd-rom, no gpu (at first), etc. I want an htpc anyway, and I'd prefer it were silent, so I'm starting to pre-plan. The difficulty is the audio solution.

So, I have an Auzentech Prelude in my gaming system. Since it has an optical out, I was thinking of using it in the htpc--optical to dac to "budget audiophile" integrated amp (e.g., Marantz PM 5003) to some appropriate speakers (e.g., LS3/5a reference maybe?). Alternatively, I suppose I could get some better powered speakers, like Audioengine 5. I'll use this for music and video, all media.

Product suggestions all around are quite welcome. However, the main thing I'm concerned with is how sound will work with the tv. Assume HD Cox Cable to an HD tv card. I'm guessing I just do DVI in this case? How good would the audio from Cox Cable and BCD-ROM likely be?

Thanks!

**soloz2** · 06-23-09

most integrated amps don't have an internal DAC so you would have to feed them an analog signal.

What's your budget and what size room will you be using this in?

poprhetor · 06-23-09

Yup, a dac is one of the items I listed, but I didn't specify a brand/type. I 'm really not sure. There are options that cost hundreds of dollars. What about something simpler like this Geffen?

The room is the front portion of my small apartment: a 25 x 13 rectangle. The area we sit in is 12 x 13 on the right side of the room--the right and back walls are insulated with book full shelves, the left opens up to the dining area (and a kitchen left again), and the facing wall has a large window along with a jumble of home entertainment stuff. Just to the left of that is the front door. Distance from sofa to speakers is about 6-7 feet.

The water cooling solution is passive. I'll use a fanless psu and an SSD for the OS, etc. It should be practically silent and have low vibration.

Edit: Budget: aboout 1500 for dac, amps(s), speakers, cables

**soloz2** · 06-23-09

if you're just going to have a 2 channel setup I would go with a USB DAC. that way you don't need a sound card, there will be less in your computer to generate heat and block airflow. Not sure of too many commercial offerings though.

do you need video and audio switching capabilities or just audio switching?

here's what I would do for speakers:
av123 ELT525T in cherry, regular price $700 on sale for $300
http://www.av123.com//index.php?page...mart&Itemid=37
then get a pair of skiing ninja master crossovers:
http://www.skiingninja.com/ELT525T-U.../elt525tnm.htm

now you have a killer small tower for a great price. (I have a 10% off coupon for the speakers as well if you decide to get them, just PM me)

then the amp will depend on what capabilities you need.

poprhetor · 06-23-09

Good stuff, soloz2. Sounds like quite a deal with those speakers and Ninja upgrade. I have a friend who's an electrician, and I'm sure he could help me with the DIY option. What's your opinion on the NoRez? If that price is very temporary, I may try to procure the Ninja-enhanced speakers in July.

By "audio and video switching," I assume you mean switching from, say, music files to cd's to dvd's to television and video, etc? If so, the answer is yes. The video and audio sources will be my BluRay drive, stored audio and video files, and Cox Cable. I may use a usb turntable down the road or plug in an IPod.

Since you recommend the usb dac, I assume your opinion is that signal degradation is minimal compared to optical. I know this is often debated. If you wouldn't mind summarizing you view, or pointing me to a thread where you've already done so, I'd appreciate it.

Incidentally, I'm tentatively thinking of building the computer inside the Danger Den Torture Rack. It should be very easy to work with, and I think it works aesthetically with many audiophile components. On the other hand, I could spend way less on a modest case. I'm open to moving my Prelude to the new system partially because it doesn't really fit correctly in my UFO case.

**soloz2** · 06-24-09

I actually thought the sale at av123 was supposed to be done on the 19th, but I guess it's extended. Not sure how long it will last. You could call and ask, but likely they're running it until they sell a certain number of systems then it'll be over unexpectedly. I'd order sooner rather than later if you want to take advantage of the deal.

I don't think you understood what I meant by switching.
Will you have more than just your computer being used as a source? ie, will you have another DVD or CD player, game console, etc.

Do you want surround sound, or just 2 channel?

poprhetor · 06-24-09

A-ha, sorry. I actually looked up "video switching" in an effort to answer you correctly. Oh well. Anyway, no. No other sources, except for the cable box that will go through the tv card. I'll be fine with two channels for awhile.

**soloz2** · 06-24-09

Ok, sounds like you should get an A/V Receiver. that way you can add speakers and sources as you need/want to eventually have surround sound.

HK makes some good receivers as does Onkyo. Marantz is my pick though.

**H3||scr3am** · 06-25-09

I suggest Marantz as well

(Just got my SR8001 today, shes a BEAST!) but great quality stuff, try finding a used 5 channel receiver with HDMI support and see how far you get.

Onkyo and Marantz are my top picks although marantz are generally a bit more.

grip_racer · 06-25-09

It sounds like you want an optical out so you can use an external DAC and go from there. In that case, forget about using the Prelude altogether, and just buy a HTPC mobo with an optical-out already on it. An optical-out is an optical-out, the digital signal wont be different if it is coming from a Prelude or your mobo.

In other words, save the Prelude for something else if you just want to use an external DAC. Or, simply use the Prelude as your DAC/preamp and go from there. It has good DAC chips and a decent output (preamp) stage.

Alternately, you can buy an Onkyo or Marantz receiver like Hellscream was saying. They already have pretty good DACs inside them (use mobo optical-out here, like I was saying), as well as multi-channel digital processors, a preamp, and a power amp. They are wonderful all-in-one packages; all you need to do is run a SPDIF signal from your computer to the receiver, and then hook up your speakers. Awesome. The only drawback (to me, at least) is not having 100% control over what individual components you choose.

IN CONCLUSION:
1. Use your Prelude as your DAC/Preamp/digital processor. It's damn good. Then buy a 2-channel or Multi-channel amp.
2. Use your mobo's optical-out, and get a Onkyo or Marantz reciever.
3. Use your mobo's optical-out, and individually piece together a system with an external digital processor (optional, for surround sound), DAC, preamp, and 2-channel or multi-channel amp.

I think #2 is most cost-effective in your case, ESPECIALLY if you buy a used receiver. Buying a used receiver that is a few years old enables you to get one that is MUCH higher up the line for the same money as a lesser-model new one.

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htpc to connect through "budget audiophile" setup

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