Audio Setup Questions

[AllTernative]

Hi there,

 

I'm looking into getting an entire audio setup.

 

Currently I am using some 50€ Logitech 2.1 system with my onBoard sound (Gigabyte Z77X-D3H) and a Logitech G35 as a headset.

 

I now want a good quality sound for music and even for gaming.

For this I'm looking for studio monitors and headphones.

 

So I am pretty new to this audio setup world.

What I'd like to understand:

 

I'd like to have an amp or receiver or something on my desk with which I can control the volume and plug the headphones in.

Plugging the headphones directly into the computer (or the soundcard inside) wouldn't be a good choice, since I need to unplug them sometimes to use them with my digital piano.

So, I guess it'd be the best, if I have something on my desk in which I can plug them in.

The monitors should be plugged in all the time.

 

The headphones should be able to emulate surround sound.

From my understanding I'll need a soundcard for that.

Now I read about something called "astro mixamp" which emulates surround sound, too.

 

So, question is:

What do I need to achieve this?

 

Additional info:

I look for headphones <200$.

My favorite from what I've read is the AD700 at the moment.

Do you think the difference will be noticeable and worth the money compared to the G35 I currently use?

 

 

I hope my question is understandable.

Thanks for you help guys! <3

 

[Stav Kats]

The Astro Mixamp is a great  choice in your case. For headphones I would recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 770/DT 990 or if you can find around your price point the Beyerdynamic Custom one pro. IMO you will be able to understand the difference if you use your new equipment for a while and then go back to your old setup. Thats when you will notice the quality difference(I surely DO)

 

(I am not a Beyerdynamic fan, but their products are high quality)

[AllTernative]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I would be still needing a soundcard then, wouldn't I? Since I want the studio monitors connected to my computer, and running them through onBoard sound will probably render them useless.

 

Currently I narrowed it down to the AD700 and the 770PRO. But since I kinda want a open headphone, I guess I'll go with the AD700 (or something else, dunno).

 

//edit:

I somehow feel that an receiver or something would be a better choice?

Computer -> Soundcard -> Receiver -> studio monitors / headphones

Or is this a bad idea? I have absolutely no idea, but this kinda feels like a right thought.

[t0wer]

ad700 are a good choice.

 

also if your onboard has optical, forget buying a soundcard.

 

studio monitors are often active, meaning they have the amp already built in.

if you're running a receiver you just need a pair of bookshelf speakers.

 

I'd say buy the most expensive speakers your budget allows at parts-express.com

[AllTernative]

Hi,

how can I connect the headset then? Does the headset go into the optical in? And I do not have surround sound in that case, do I?

Moreover the headphone will be connected at the rear of my computer, which is a no go, since I need to remove them from time to time.

[polymoth]

ok if you are looking at getting  studio monitors will I wood recemend something m-audio av 40 fed form an m-track plus

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AV40

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MTrackPlus/

[AllTernative]

The MTrack Plus looks interesting. Do you think of it as an external sound card? It will probably not be able to emulate surround sound, will it?

And do I connect my computer and headphones and monitors to the MTrack Plus?

Coincidence is, I need some interface for my midi digital piano. The one I currently have is some cheap crap and has a big latency.

There has to be some solution for all my needs... :/

[polymoth]

yes it's an external sound card you conect your headphones to it. and no it cant emulate surround. 

[AllTernative]

Well, it would be perfect if it had surround sound.

//edit:

I think I will do something like this:

Soundcard: Asus Xonar D1

Receiver: Yamaha R-S300

Speakers: Dali Zensor 1

Headphones: AKG K701



The way to go would be:
Soundcard -> Receiver -> Speakers/Headphones

//edit2:

I've decided to go another way after days of research.
What I'm getting is:

HD598
Xonar DG
DALI Zensor 1
TubeMagic D1
Indeed TA2021

The idea is:
Soundcard -> (optical) TubeMagic D1 -> Headphones
and for speakers:
Soundcard -> (optical) TubeMagic D1 -> Indeed TA2021 -> Speakers

The reason behind this is, that I get surroundsound from my soundcard for the headphones and have one device to control the volume for speakers and headphones, as well as not having to switch the output device in windows.