New Sound System recommendations

[SolarNova]

Greetings all.

 

So im considering upgrading my sound system from a over the top desktop setup featuring the Logitech Z5500 5.1 and a Asus Xonar D2X soundcard.

 

In the past year I bought a FiiO X3K and after comparing the difference in sound quality between it (in DAC mode) vs my sound card , using a pair of ATH-M50S, it became very apparent that my soundcard despite being better than my onboard sound, is just nowhere near as good as a 'proper' quality DAC.

 

That said, I still want 5.1 for my speakers.

 

So, without going crazy with the budget, of which I have not set one, what is a good 5.1 DAC + AMP + new speaker setup that can give me quality precise sound and powerful bass ???

 

Usage is for Music, Movies, and Gaming.

 

Im in the UK so GBP(£) currency

 

Cheers

[johnt]

This is difficult because they don't make 5.1 standalone DACs that I'm aware of. For surround sound, you need a receiver that you can connect to with HDMI... likely using your video card.

Your adventure is going to be a little more costly than you expected.

[spwath]

This is difficult because they don't make 5.1 standalone DACs that I'm aware of. For surround sound, you need a receiver that you can connect to with HDMI... likely using your video card.

Your adventure is going to be a little more costly than you expected.

I think I have seen one before

[Stagea]

This is difficult because they don't make 5.1 standalone DACs that I'm aware of. For surround sound, you need a receiver that you can connect to with HDMI... likely using your video card.

Your adventure is going to be a little more costly than you expected.

They're essentially multichannel sound adapters. The Asus Xonar U7 is an example.

If he's planning to use an external amp and passive speakers (which I think he is), the av receiver option becomes a more elegant option. Less boxes to manage and the capacity to handle HD Audio.

[Stagea]

So, without going crazy with the budget, of which I have not set one, what is a good 5.1 DAC + AMP + new speaker setup that can give me quality precise sound and powerful bass ???

Usage is for Music, Movies, and Gaming.

Im in the UK so GBP(£) currency

Cheers

I suggest EQing your current set first to see if that will solve whatever issue you have with it. A good calibration mic and RTA might help if you have not done this before.

Also browse through AV Receiver and Speaker options at Richer Sounds. They have good prices and they are very willing to help in my experience. If you have one of their brick and mortar shops near you, you can try listening to the products for sale to see which one you like best.

[Holabubu]

I got these Andrew Jones 5.0 last year,  for 271$ on amazon. It's suppose to be best budget speakers for under 800-1000$

I also got a bic america f12 sub but i would get something better.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IK8I9K2?keywords=pioneer%205.1&qid=1445525932&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

http://www.cnet.com/products/pioneer-sp-pk52fs/

 

 

 

[cragger89]

They do exist and they are called AV receivers.

 

/thread

[spwath]

I suggest EQing your current set first to see if that will solve whatever issue you have with it. A good calibration mic and RTA might help if you have not done this before.

Also browse through AV Receiver and Speaker options at Richer Sounds. They have good prices and they are very willing to help in my experience. If you have one of their brick and mortar shops near you, you can try listening to the products for sale to see which one you like best.

Plus any local classifieds.

People don't know what receivers are worth and you can get them really cheap (I got a 15$ Onkyo 7.1)

[Stagea]

Here's a good starter set that'd easily outpace your current system:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/marantz/nr1504/mara-nr1504

http://www.richersounds.com/product/centre-speakers/tannoy/mercury-vc/tann-mercury-vc-dkwa

http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-speakers/tannoy/mercury-v1/tann-mercury-v1-oak x2 

http://www.richersounds.com/product/subwoofers/yamaha/nssw300/yama-nssw300-piano-b

[SolarNova]

Thanks for the responses.

 

I had wondered why I was having a hard time finding any USB DAC/AMP's that could do 5.1. I find it odd how they only do stereo. I've always had a 5.1 system and couldn't imagine going down to a 2.1 or 2.0 system.

 

A full blown AV receiver ..that's gunna take up a fair bit of room. Price isn't anywhere near as high as I thought it might be, though I can see how high it could go if I so wanted.

 

Well at least now I know what im looking for. Ill likely budget up to £1000 for the upgrade when I decide to go for it, though 1st on the list is a new VDU (when a suitable OLED comes out) and Chilled water loop SLI PC build that together is likely gunna cost around £4000. Gunna be waiting a while I think though, OLED is taking its sweet time.

[Rmusic10891]

Thanks for the responses.

 

I had wondered why I was having a hard time finding any USB DAC/AMP's that could do 5.1. I find it odd how they only do stereo. I've always had a 5.1 system and couldn't imagine going down to a 2.1 or 2.0 system.

 

A full blown AV receiver ..that's gunna take up a fair bit of room. Price isn't anywhere near as high as I thought it might be, though I can see how high it could go if I so wanted.

 

Well at least now I know what im looking for. Ill likely budget up to £1000 for the upgrade when I decide to go for it, though 1st on the list is a new VDU (when a suitable OLED comes out) and Chilled water loop SLI PC build that together is likely gunna cost around £4000. Gunna be waiting a while I think though, OLED is taking its sweet time.

 

If you're willing to spend that much, Marantz does do a slimline series of receivers.

 

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=AVReceivers&ProductId=NR1501

 

I've only briefly tested one in a shop, but it seemed to be a pretty solid performer.

[Stagea]

Well at least now I know what im looking for. Ill likely budget up to £1000 for the upgrade when I decide to go for it, though 1st on the list is a new VDU (when a suitable OLED comes out) and Chilled water loop SLI PC build that together is likely gunna cost around £4000. Gunna be waiting a while I think though, OLED is taking its sweet time.

I think OLED will take a while before it becomes a common PC display tech. People tend to keep PC displays for a long time, so non-uniform pixel decay may be an issue with a lot of users (unless they improve the panel endurance, like what they did with PDPs).

[SolarNova]

OLED endurance isn't a problem no more.

 

Its just the fact that LCD is still successfully being milked.

 

Personally im using a Plasma, I wont touch LCD, they suck. I went from CRT to Plasma, and ill stay there until OLED comes along.

 

Atm its just a size thing. OLED have crazy pixel density on mobile devices, and crazy size on TV's( 55"+ ), but nothing in the mid range. I'd like a 42"-46" 21:9 panel.

[Stagea]

OLED endurance isn't a problem no more.

Its just the fact that LCD is still successfully being milked.

Personally im using a Plasma, I wont touch LCD, they suck. I went from CRT to Plasma, and ill stay there until OLED comes along.

Atm its just a size thing. OLED have crazy pixel density on mobile devices, and crazy size on TV's( 55"+ ), but nothing in the mid range. I'd like a 42"-46" 21:9 panel.

I still have my older 58 inch Plasma, but have LCDs as well. There are very good LCDs out there; the Sharp Elite is a very good example.

OLED TVs often dim the display when the image processor detects a static image, to reduce the risk of a burned-in image. They also use techniques like pixel shift, which was a technique used by Plasma makers to prevent burn-in (or even just temporary image retention). This is the same reason why Plasma monitors didn't make it big outside of some professional applications (aside from ecology certs being a thing).

Store display OLED TVs still get burn in, like store display Plasmas (because they run all day long at max intensity). It will take far longer to replicate that in a typical home environment, but it'd be easy to do so in a well-lit work environment (workplace lighting is now very bright thanks to SSL, similar to showroom lighting).