PC sound - bookshelves or desktop speakers?
Discussion
B17NNS said:
I use EAC, free and does the job.GravelBen said:
What audio player are you using? Most of them should have an EQ function built in.
ETA: That may not apply if you're gaming etc rather than listening to music...
That's why the bass boost / eq in the windows mixer is a good option for system wide. For music though better quality can usually be achieved by using wasapi and the software eq in a good player such as music bee or foobarETA: That may not apply if you're gaming etc rather than listening to music...
Quick practicality question that crossed my mind - if I'm looking at an older amp will I need to manually switch inputs when switching between the TV's sound and the Chromecast Audio?
It's not a major issue but I might consider getting a second Harmony hub for the living room (provided the amp has a remote that it can be taught) so I can just chuck everything via Alexa into a multi-room music activity.
And if I were to look at an AVR instead of an amp (there's a certain convenience involved, and an element of future proofing) - I wouldn't be losing out on the sound quality side would I?
It's not a major issue but I might consider getting a second Harmony hub for the living room (provided the amp has a remote that it can be taught) so I can just chuck everything via Alexa into a multi-room music activity.
And if I were to look at an AVR instead of an amp (there's a certain convenience involved, and an element of future proofing) - I wouldn't be losing out on the sound quality side would I?
Edited by tenohfive on Monday 1st October 17:41
I threw out an old Logitech 2.1 setup recently. Was looking for something that would take up less space ideally to replace it, kept upping the budget until I decided it was getting silly and then starting again.
Ended up using an Echo paired via Bluetooth just to save my ears from what my monitor thinks are speakers. It's uninspiring but I think I'm content with it until I can get some more space.
Ended up using an Echo paired via Bluetooth just to save my ears from what my monitor thinks are speakers. It's uninspiring but I think I'm content with it until I can get some more space.
geeks said:
Well here it all is!
Pair of these https://www.richersounds.com/hi-fi/standmount-spea... with the earlier linked Nobsound Amp/DAC.
Still impressed with it all. Amp seems to struggle to provide much bass at low volume but there is a good amount there when turned up. Anyone looking to play with lossless stuff for free take a look at Tidal (https://tidal.com/gb) , they do a 30 day freebie service and the library is excellent along with the quality!
Everything is going well, the Mordaunts have run in nicely and I get a great sound from them and the Nobsound (still makes me giggle Pair of these https://www.richersounds.com/hi-fi/standmount-spea... with the earlier linked Nobsound Amp/DAC.
Still impressed with it all. Amp seems to struggle to provide much bass at low volume but there is a good amount there when turned up. Anyone looking to play with lossless stuff for free take a look at Tidal (https://tidal.com/gb) , they do a 30 day freebie service and the library is excellent along with the quality!
) I would in the new year however like to add to this setup and add a sub, unfortunately the Nobsound (
) doesnt have enough channels to drive one, I would like to find something similar if anyone has any suggestions? Its a neat little unit so would like something as close to it as I can get.PH has alot to answer for I am becoming addicted to decent audio!
TonyRPH said:
It'll sound way better than those Cheap Chinese things.
Hi Tony, I agree some of the cheap Chinese amps are junk but this is due to poor implementation ( usually caused by cheap poor spec spec inductors in their output stage ). There is absolutely nothing poor about class D in principle; when implemented well and if the PSU is good then the results can spectacularly good for sound quality. Their ability to drive low impedances & difficult / reactive loads is ahead of class B. The B&W MM-1 mentioned earlier in the thread has a great reputation and so does the https://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/bantam_gold_e.html They both use the Analog Devices ADAU1592 chip output stage.
https://hifipig.com/temple-audio-bantam-gold-integ...
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/05...
Hi Crackie 
In particular, the HF quality and overall bandwidth still seems to be somewhat lacking, however I'd love to hear one of those Bantams in my own system before passing any further judgement on the sound quality.
Regarding the driving of heavy loads - I guess it depends on which level (cost) of Class B we're talking about here - as there are some amps out there than can drive impossible loads, if you're willing to spend the money. Do you remember how some reviewers would test an amp back in the 80's by substituting a resistor and huge capacitor for the speaker, and then trying to drive a 10kHz (IIRC) square wave at full power (often releasing lots of smoke in the process) - I doubt the Class D would tolerate that lol.
On a value for money basis however, I don't dispute that the Class D's can probably do better than a similarly priced Class B.
My overwhelming impression to date is that Class D seems to have better bass, regardless of how cheap they are though. I did actually consider building an active crossover setup, using a Class D for bass (below 100Hz) and a Class B for 100Hz up, however at the moment I am satisfied with my olde Class B / AB stuff (and even a Class G when I feel like it! - A NAD 2200).
Crackie said:
<snip>
...Chinese amps are junk but this is due to poor implementation ( usually caused by cheap poor spec spec inductors in their output stage ).
I accept that. A £5 product is never going to be as good as the £190 Bantam...Chinese amps are junk but this is due to poor implementation ( usually caused by cheap poor spec spec inductors in their output stage ).
Crackie said:
There is absolutely nothing poor about class D in principle;
My reading of the subject leads me to believe they are still technically inferior for various reasons, which I won't get into here.In particular, the HF quality and overall bandwidth still seems to be somewhat lacking, however I'd love to hear one of those Bantams in my own system before passing any further judgement on the sound quality.
Crackie said:
when implemented well and if the PSU is good then the results can spectacularly good for sound quality. Their ability to drive low impedances & difficult / reactive loads is ahead of class B.
<snip>
As you know, a good PSU counts for a lot, no matter what Class the amp is (even in low level circuitry) and over the years there have been some really good Class B designs ruined by poor PSU design (usually culled by the bean counters).<snip>
Regarding the driving of heavy loads - I guess it depends on which level (cost) of Class B we're talking about here - as there are some amps out there than can drive impossible loads, if you're willing to spend the money. Do you remember how some reviewers would test an amp back in the 80's by substituting a resistor and huge capacitor for the speaker, and then trying to drive a 10kHz (IIRC) square wave at full power (often releasing lots of smoke in the process) - I doubt the Class D would tolerate that lol.
On a value for money basis however, I don't dispute that the Class D's can probably do better than a similarly priced Class B.
My overwhelming impression to date is that Class D seems to have better bass, regardless of how cheap they are though. I did actually consider building an active crossover setup, using a Class D for bass (below 100Hz) and a Class B for 100Hz up, however at the moment I am satisfied with my olde Class B / AB stuff (and even a Class G when I feel like it! - A NAD 2200).
TonyRPH said:
I'd love to hear one of those Bantams in my own system before passing any further judgement on the sound quality.
I'd also like to hear a Bantam Gold or monoblocs or better still the Bantam One. The reviewers comments relative to his multi thousand dollar single ended 300B tube amp are compelling. My understanding is that these three Bantam products all use the same Analog Devices ADAU1592 chip. http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/04...Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff