Computer as a prepro

[prerich]

Just finished installing the ST and the clarity is great! Much better than my old Audigy 2 ZS! I'm going to listen to some music now...but measurements and calibration start in couple of days...parts-express finally got the iMM-6 calibration mic in stock ( so I can use my iPad calibration software (Studio Six Digital suite). This is going to be good. I'm going to keep my Onkyo though (just for emergencies).

[Johnny Vinyl]

Nice! Looking forward to read about some further impressions as you've had a chance to really get a handle on this card.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Nice! Looking forward to read about some further impressions as you've had a chance to really get a handle on this card.

Johnny, did you check out the test reports that came with your STX? I looked at mine (ST) and by the numbers - they destroy my Onkyo's measurements. The one thing my Onkyo can do that the ST doens't is play 172.4khz and 88.2khz sampled files other than that, the ST detroys the Onkyo...on paper.

Listening last night - even without measuerments, the ST sounds better to me than the Onkyo. I will let the jury remain out until then, but right now I think I'm staying with this HTPC PrePro for the forseeable future

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by prerich

Johnny, did you check out the test reports that came with your STX? I looked at mine (ST) and by the numbers - they destroy my Onkyo's measurements. The one thing my Onkyo can do that the ST doens't is play 172.4khz and 88.2khz sampled files other than that, the ST detroys the Onkyo...on paper.

Listening last night - even without measuerments, the ST sounds better to me than the Onkyo. I will let the jury remain out until then, but right now I think I'm staying with this HTPC PrePro for the forseeable future

I looked at them, yes. But you know me....I don't really understand measurements and stuff.

I'm confused though when you say the ST doesn't play 172.4 and 88.2khz. What about this?

https://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and...specifications

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

I looked at them, yes. But you know me....I don't really understand measurements and stuff.

I'm confused though when you say the ST doesn't play 176.4 and 88.2khz. What about this?

https://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and...specifications

Those are 2 natural mupltiples of 44.1khz sampling rate. Many audiophiles want their hi-rez music at these sample rates because they are said to be more natural. However, I'm of the ilk that wants to enjoy his music and movies. So, it's not a biggy with me (if I buy a hi-rez download - it will either upconvert an 88.2 to 96khz or a 176.4 to 192khz instead of playing them in their natural sampling rate.

My bad (it should read 176.4 not 172.4)

[prerich]

Hey Johnny, I looked at your link and I was suprised at what I saw!

I started looking aroung (because I know what Stereophile said in their review a few years ago) and found out that the new drivers will do 88.2khz and 176.4khz !!!! Ok - I'm losing nothing then!!!!!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by prerich

Hey Johnny, I looked at your link and I was suprised at what I saw!

I started looking aroung (because I know what Stereophile said in their review a few years ago) and found out that the new drivers will do 88.2khz and 176.4khz !!!! Ok - I'm losing nothing then!!!!!

Sweet!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Sweet!

Ok, my imm-6 calibration mic will arrive tomorrow or Monday! Time to brush off my old calibration and EQ skills! something I noticed, quite a few high end prepros forgo Audyssey for manual calibration. Well I have to go back to my Cedia certification manual and my Rane info - I'm glad I saved it! It's going to take an hour or two to get it tweaked up but I will start with some basics with my trusty radio shack analog meter (like setting reference and spl levels)!!!! I forgot how fun this can be!!!!!! makes you appreciate your movies and music more too

[prerich]

Update, just finished level matching (75db) and listening to music...I love this audio card!!!! The Christmas tree in the rack is losing lights as I get rid of components! The 64 bit digital volume control is nice in jriver too! I have my system volume at 100% and control my adjustable volume through jriver.

The iMM-6 microphone is flat from 20hz to 20khz, so hopefully tomorrow I can start with my PEQ filters (if no tomorrow - Monday -if I'm still living Lord willing

[prerich]

Just sampled the Guardians of Gahoole - dialogue is nice and clear! Pans are seamless just like with the Onkyo, only cleaner! I may take the Behringer processors out of the loop - killing the Christmas tree totally!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Rich - What's with the Christmas Tree?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Rich - What's with the Christmas Tree?

All the lights in my rack !!!!!! If I go down to just my amps and pc, I only have a power light on each unit, the hard drive light on the PC, and the yellow level lights on the Ep4000.

[prerich]

Ok, I've EQ'd my front array with my studio six suite and created PEQ filters for my front speakers in JRiver. The result are pretty pleasing. Even more detail and location of instruments in space. one thing about the Essence, it's very tight and potent in the bass region (very tight). I'm so sure that I allowed my son to talk me out of the Onkyo (he actually wants to go the PC route, but he can get my receiver for the price of the Asus, or a ht omega Claro halo XT). I am building him a PC though...for when he gets ready (he'll also need at least 3 more channels of amplification for 5.1).

So I think this makes me the only person on the site using a PC as a prepro. Still getting adjusted - it's taking a while to get everything right, but JRiver has the right tools to do it!

[prerich]

Update: I have my imm-6 mic and it's flat from 18hz-20khz. With my cal file in hand I re-took measurements about 3 hours before the game. It took about 2 hrs for me to complete everything. My original measurments weren't that off (taken with the Radio Shack SPL meter) - however the measurements with the IMM-6 are better. I can truly say that Audyssey takes a lot of time off measuring and it's an awesome product. However after adjusting my own system manually - I don't miss Audyssey. My bass is much tighter and I don't know if I should contribute it to the Essence or the manual calibration ?

I will say this though - if I can find a full range product like an Audyssey, or find a used NeptuneEQ or a AudioControl Diva....for a steal of a deal, I wouldn't hesitate to add it between my power amps and my PC. Why, becasue although measuring can be fun - it's also tiresome. I see why people just like to have it done automatically (although I've had to run Audyssey more than once to get the proper results - the first time I ever ran it was a disaster , but big props to Audyssey tech support - got me going that one time and I never needed to bother them again)

I went through some music for about an hour and didn't get fatiuged. Not going to go through the usually fruity writing and flower expressions - it just sounds good. One thing I DID notice, I use WMC to watch my cable TV because they have cablecard support (I wonder if the FCC's ruling will require CableCard to give support to all PCTV software now). Well - about 30 minutes into the NCAA game - I did get fatiuged - due to the fact that my eq's don't translate over into WMC. I will be glad when JRiver gets CableCard support - then I can put WMC down all together. Until then - I may just activate the little EQ in the Asus drivers when watching TV and turn it off when I'm in JRiver for everything else. I can live with that ....for now.

[prerich]

Oh, and all my references to tight bass...let me explain - its almost like tuning a drum (I've played Congas, Bongos, and other percussion instruments). You can tell whats right. I have a few drum tracks and I use these to see what's going on. If I can get a kick to sound exactly like a kick, and I can tell the different aspects and tuning of tom-tom's - then I know I'm on track. The more it sounds like the real thing - the better. I noticed that my Onkyo is a bit "warm" and a bit "lush" compared to my Essence (which can be pleasing at times). The Essence isn't bright nor is it warm, I'd call it neutral if anything.

[pentatonic]

Got to tell you Rich, if I ever go separates, this might just be the way. Get amps first and give it a try, already have the HTPC and doubt I'll ever go without one. After all when you think about it, way more processing power to be had this way, almost surprising we don't hear about it more. Learning curve most probably!

Keep us updated buddy, and good show

[prerich]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

Got to tell you Rich, if I ever go separates, this might just be the way. Get amps first and give it a try, already have the HTPC and doubt I'll ever go without one. After all when you think about it, way more processing power to be had this way, almost surprising we don't hear about it more. Learning curve most probably!

Keep us updated buddy, and good show

You're right, it would be the learning curb...I'm still learning! If you are an audio hobbyist, and a computer geek, it's heaven! You get your convenience after its done, but you have the ability to tweak the daylights out of it if you so desire! I've only scratched the surface of what's possible - I could turn my PC into an active crossover if I choose, it's almost limitless!

[prerich]

Just learned from user "Mojave" that JRiver now supports CableCard - I may be able to drop WMC altogether now!!!! He also hipped me to Audiolense software for DRC. I've heard of it before but I thought it only went to 5.1, but now I've found out that it's fully customizable! I'm going to buy that with the money I get from my son.

Mojave is active on the JRiver and Whatsbest forums. I'm decent with the PC audio stuff but Mojave has been ahead of the curb for quite a while. We were doing the same things about 10 years ago - but he persevered (I gave in to instant gratification ). His patience has paid off - he currently uses his PC as an active XO for his speakers and has some really nice DAC's in his rig. I'm going to give him an invite over to this thread becasue I think he could possibly be the "Big Daddy" of PC audio!!!

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by prerich

Just learned from user "Mojave" that JRiver now supports CableCard - I may be able to drop WMC altogether now!!!! He also hipped me to Audiolense software for DRC. I've heard of it before but I thought it only went to 5.1, but now I've found out that it's fully customizable! I'm going to buy that with the money I get from my son.

Mojave is active on the JRiver and Whatsbest forums. I'm decent with the PC audio stuff but Mojave has been ahead of the curb for quite a while. We were doing the same things about 10 years ago - but he persevered (I gave in to instant gratification ). His patience has paid off - he currently uses his PC as an active XO for his speakers and has some really nice DAC's in his rig. I'm going to give him an invite over to this thread becasue I think he could possibly be the "Big Daddy" of PC audio!!!

All for it Rich, even if this section is almost like a place holder, I believe we have more and more digital fans who might be tempted if the know-how is easy access. Now if we could get a media player that works for SACDs, like Col. Hans Landa said, that's a Bingo!

[Johnny Vinyl]

You can add Vincent Kars to that list as well.