Building A Computer Based Audio System

[nandac]

i have always like to set my ipod in the shuffle mode on either my jbl or boston acoustics ipod speaker(s) and listen to the songs hours on end.

but none of my ipods individually could contain my entire collection due to space constraints.

recently (after losing a laptop and 2 ipods) i got a 500 gb external drive and started loading all my CDs into it.

then today i stumbled on the nuforce icon amp ...

so yea it would be great if my entire music collection could be played on shuffle mode and if i have a good sound system to play it on.

for this desktop system i am looking at either the b&w lm1 or m1. i have always liked b&ws and i remember listening to the two in new york years back and liking them.

so missing component is a tiny/baby sub to round this system off. any suggestions?

appreciate the feedback.

 

[prithivi]

B&W are amazing just Loved it when i heard to it.

in simple words yo gonna build HTPC rite with sound card ?

 

[nandac]

>in simple words yo gonna build HTPC rite with sound card ?

what's htpc?

not sure about sound card ...

 

[nandac]

where can i get a topping t20 in bangalore?

 

[prithivi]

HTPC Stands for HOME THEATRE PERSONAL COMPUTER

And when you Gonna play B&W yu need a good source

if yu are using a PC you need a good DAC or sound card which acts as source

nower days sound card uses Burr Brown , wolfson (found in amps of 1L worth )

 

[nandac]

>if yu are using a PC you need a good DAC or sound card which acts as source

>nower days sound card uses Burr Brown , wolfson (found in amps of 1L worth )

so how are you supposed to install this soundcard on your pc/laptop?

 

[spirovious]

There will be a slot on MB(PCI or PCI-E).So add a soundcard like asus xonar STX/ST,install drivers,make necessary connections & enjoy music.

 

[nandac]

There will be a slot on MB(PCI or PCI-E).So add a soundcard like asus xonar STX/ST,install drivers,make necessary connections & enjoy music.

how come in the reviews on amazon for nuforce icon, i dont see any mention of using a soundcard?

aren't soundcards already part of a laptop?

so is this additional soundcard (like asus xonar) supposed to improve audio performance?

sorry for the stupid questions. i am totally new to this. thanks for the insights.

 

[prithivi]

yes they improve sound really better (Yu can feel it easily) and yo cannot fix this in Laptop

and you need a desktop PC for it

if your are not experienced is Fitting it then call a service engineer and get your job done !

 

[spirovious]

For laptop.you need either external soundcard OR DAC.

 

[prithivi]

External sound card is creative surround 5.1

and this doesnt meet my requirements

 

[nandac]

i think the nuforce icon integrated amp comes with the dac. so it can be directly hooked to the laptop.

 

[prithivi]

i am sorry i meant the AV receivers !

 

[ravi_d]

i think the nuforce icon integrated amp comes with the dac. so it can be directly hooked to the laptop.

You can consider NuForce Icon-2 at MSRP $349. It has RJ45 connectors to connect to the speakers. I guess you get RJ45 to Babana plug cables along with the amp to connect it to speakers.
NuForce Icon-2 Integrated Desktop Amplifier with 24bit/96kHZ USB DAC and high performance headphone amplifier | Nuforce Online

 

[nandac]

You can consider NuForce Icon-2 at MSRP $349. It has RJ45 connectors to connect to the speakers. I guess you get RJ45 to Babana plug cables along with the amp to connect it to speakers.
NuForce Icon-2 Integrated Desktop Amplifier with 24bit/96kHZ USB DAC and high performance headphone amplifier | Nuforce Online

i am actually thinking of the lower model :

Amazon.com: Nuforce Icon (Integrated Desktop Audio Amplifier, Red Color): Electronics

 

[ravi_d]

i am actually thinking of the lower model :

Amazon.com: Nuforce Icon (Integrated Desktop Audio Amplifier, Red Color): Electronics

Looks good. But what speakers?

If going for a Active Monitors you can just go with a DAC.

 

[nandac]

>If going for a Active Monitors you can just go with a DAC.

no, i think i would rather power the speakers through an amp.

also there are concerns that speakers with built in amps over a period of time detoriate in performance - apparently some intrinsic defect in the design itself.

for speakers i am looking at b&w lm1, m1, rock solid monitor, dm303. might also check the paradigm atom or mini monitor. i also have some pinnacle quantum sattelites i plan to test it out with. but at some level i want this to remain a desktop/laptop music system - not a regular audio system (especially given the space constraints on my computer desk). so my preference might veer towards the smaller speakers (the first three b&ws listed above or the pinnacle).

 

[nandac]

looks like there is another option. hooking up your computer to your existing music system :

Amazon.com: NuForce Icon uDAC-2 (Black) Headphone Amp and USB DAC (24bit/96kHz): Electronics

 

[Ashwanik007]

U are only interested in music. Why don't U explore media players instead of htpc's. U already have lost 1 laptop and 2 ipods. The way U are running Hard Disks for long time U will lose them too.

 

[nandac]

U are only interested in music. Why don't U explore media players instead of htpc's. U already have lost 1 laptop and 2 ipods. The way U are running Hard Disks for long time U will lose them too.

which media player are you talking about here?

sorry, i am not up to date with technology and much of this is new to me.

appreciate the feedback.