Audiophile Dream Combo (IMO)

[Khuz360]

Just wondering what the result would be if I put together say the new creative X-Fi Titanium with a pioneer VSX-LX70 (http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/42/98/405/VSX-LX70/index.html) and added the pioneer S-V810A-W (http://www.pioneer.co.uk/eur/products/42/99/161/S-V810A-W/index.html)

Im curious would it be truly awesome sound or would it be a massive let down

Thoughts please :D

[Luke122]

Well, I've owned loads of Pioneer gear over the years, and with the exception of one DVD player, I've never really had a complaint. I've never really had any OMG moments either though.

The VSX-LX70 doesnt require a soundcard in the PC to play back.. it just acesses a network share with your music in it and then decodes it on its own. So the X-Fi would be a waste if you were buying it JUST to couple with this reciever.

Next up, the speakers. They have a relatively low efficiency, which means that they would need a moderate - high amount of power to drive to high volume. Also, they will be less able to duplicate big dynamic swings necessary for proper music playback, and truly immersive movie viewing.

Also, it doesnt really say what formats the reciever can play back, so there's a chance that you'd be limited to internet radio, lossy (compressed) audio, and maybe not playing ANY video formats at all!

Costs:

VSX-LX70 Reciever: Around 1000 GBP (about $1900 USD)
S-V810A-W Speaks: Around 1500 GBP (about $2900 USD)
X-Fi Titanium: $150 USD

So that's about $5000 USD total (almost 2600 GBP)

For that price, I'd say massive letdown. :(


I would say that if you really want a computer based playback system, go for something with an external DAC, a decent tripath amp, and a set of good, high sensitivity speakers. You'll get much better sound, and save yourself a lot of money too.

[Luke122]

On that note, here's an option.

Depending on room size, THESE SPEAKERS (http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue8/dreamcatcher.htm) might do the job. I should also add that I've heard these speakers in real life, and in a small/mid size room, they are INCREDIBLE.

Retail on those is about 1600-2000 CAD.

Denon makes some nice gear, AVR-588 is a good little amp, retails about $450ish CAD.

[Khuz360]

Lol why am i not suprised that it would be a let down...mmmmm. Using the soundcard would mean I would get the same effect as plugging regular speakers into the system only difference would be it would be an amp and a ridiculously expensive 5.1 speaker set with what I was hoping to be a awesome sounding bit of kit

ah well back to the drawing board

[Luke122]

Well, I dont think it would sound BAD, I just think that for that amount of money, you could do much better.

My personal setup:

Hardware:
X-Fi Gamer
Sonic Impact Super T-Amp
home made interconnects with eichmann bullet plugs
home made cat5 braided speaker wire with banana plugs
Merill Zigmahornet Speakers with custom bases and carpet spikes
Sony Playstation SCPH-1001 (for Audio CD's)

Total cost : less than $700 CAD.

Software:
VLC Player (video)
Foobar2000 (audio)
ASIO4ALL audio drivers
WinXP Pro (Media PC OS)

For music, I listen mostly to lossless encoded files, FLAC, APE, or WAV. You just cant get good dynamics and detail from MP3's.

Now mind you, I only have a 2 channel setup rather than 5.1 surround, but you could easily build a very good surround system for under $1000. In fact, I'm proud to say that my system easily beats all of my friends setups for sound quality and detail. :)

[Khuz360]

Sounds awesome although I've never heard of using cat5 cable as speaker wire how does that work and how much difference does it make to quality. By the way is Foobar2000 better than winamp because thats what I use for all my audio which is in mp3 format because my mp3 doesnt play wav files and I have 4500+ and hard drive space is an issue at the moment.

However would converting them from mp3 to wav improve detail and quality

[Omega]

iirc converting actually makes audio lose quality because of the decode/encode process. Even if it's equal or higher kbps output. (funny story, I know a guy that had 64kbps mp3's and re-encoded them to 320kbps mp3 and then complained that it didn't sound any better. What a laugh).

While the system is good in theory, so was communism...


I run mobo audio and a ~$230 5.1 system that more than fufills my needs. If I had even $1500 I could build a better setup than the one you posted probably. But the real person to consult is Luke, because Luke is pro.

[Quakken]

I have headphones...

[Spawn-Inc]

bah don't waste your money. if you gonna spend 5000 then buy a wicked gaming rig and buy the Logitech z5500 (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/224&cl=us,en)'s. i bet they sound just as good as the pioneer set, plus there only 300...

[Luke122]

Cat 5e used for speaker wire:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9518


PC Audio Tips:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12717

Spawn mentioned the z5500's above, and they are a great setup for computer based gaming, music, and movies. For the price, they are damn near unbeatable. Would they compete with my setup? Can't say, but I'm willing to put my system up against them if anyone wants to try it out. :D

[Khuz360]

Right I think Im beginning to get an idea for what I would do for my 5.1 pc. Right now Im using 2.1 on my laptop the speakers are the Logitech Z2300 what do people think of them and if I wanted to get a better system what would you recommend

[Spawn-Inc]

Logitech Z 5500

[Khuz360]

Dude I want to stick to 2.1 with my laptop come on 5.1 would be a waste for me