budget tools and gear to improve my digital sound

E

EmiLiuZ

New member
Joined
Dec 13, 2016
Messages
102
Hi everyone.

I want to know if any of you, knows some gear/tools/software etc. to improve my system from PC to Amp.

So far I've been far better off playing through my low level CD player as a transport than streaming through my PC. I want to limit that gap.

There is simply more details and music coming through my CD Player, but I love how convenient streaming is.

I'm using the default soundcard on my motherboard |Supreme FX| I know this might not be ideal for music listening.

I got a high tier USB cable |Ansuz Diamond USB|so I do no believe that's the issue.

I'm in search of any hardware or software, which might increase my Digital performance through my PC to my Amp.

I'm on a fairly low budget, but I hope anyone can be helpful in my search :)
 
EmiLiuZ said:
Hi everyone.

I want to know if any of you, knows some gear/tools/software etc. to improve my system from PC to Amp.

So far I've been far better off playing through my low level CD player as a transport than streaming through my PC. I want to limit that gap.

There is simply more details and music coming through my CD Player, but I love how convenient streaming is.

I'm using the default soundcard on my motherboard |Supreme FX| I know this might not be ideal for music listening.

I got a high tier USB cable |Ansuz Diamond USB|so I do no believe that's the issue.

I'm in search of any hardware or software, which might increase my Digital performance through my PC to my Amp.

I'm on a fairly low budget, but I hope anyone can be helpful in my search :)
Click to expand...

I'm confused are you using the DAC in your integrated amp via USB or are you using the Supreme FX and analog out to your amp?
 
As above, are you using a DAC and if so, what kind? It appears from your comment that you are not but then I am not sure where your usb cable comes into play. If you are not using an external DAC as opposed the sound card then there is room for huge improvement in sound with an external DAC. Also, are you streaming MP3? If so, red book CD will sound much better.

Are you using the usb out to your CD Player? If so, then you are using the DAC in the CD player and that is better than the DAC of your sound card which would explain why music sounds better.

Give us more info and your budget.
 
A very affordable improvement is an Audioquest Jitterbug between your PC and the USB cable ($50).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Kuoppis said:
A very affordable improvement is an Audioquest Jitterbug between your PC and the USB cable ($50).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


I agree. I have a JB and it makes a nice difference with some of my DAC's but not all. For a little more money ($175) an Up Tone Regen is an even bigger improvement but again, it is system dependent.
 
Yes, agree. Wyred4sound Recovery Reclocker is yet another alternative.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I'm using my integrated DAC atm. Maybe i wasn't clear enough. Sorry about that.
 
Kuoppis said:
A very affordable improvement is an Audioquest Jitterbug between your PC and the USB cable ($50).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
That looks like a great tool ! :) Any idea of how it actually works? :O It looks like some sort of improved USB plug. My problem so far is that the digital sound from my PC to AMP has been rather doll and flat, compared to the same tracks from my CD player.
 
Mechnutt said:
As above, are you using a DAC and if so, what kind? It appears from your comment that you are not but then I am not sure where your usb cable comes into play. If you are not using an external DAC as opposed the sound card then there is room for huge improvement in sound with an external DAC. Also, are you streaming MP3? If so, red book CD will sound much better.

Are you using the usb out to your CD Player? If so, then you are using the DAC in the CD player and that is better than the DAC of your sound card which would explain why music sounds better.

Give us more info and your budget.
Click to expand...
I'm connecting my PC to my integrated DAC in my integrated amplifier. I wouldn't say that it's sounding bad, but I want to optimize it to a new level. I'm always using my integrated DAC, and as said earlier, It's not sounding bad at all. I just want to optimize it as much as possible without spending too much. Budget wise I would say that i got around 500$ give or take :) I know it's not much but atleast it's something :D What i find rather strange though, is that a 300$ CD player as a transport is really that much better than streaming music through my PC. I mainly use Spotify on my PC, but sometimes I use other different file types as well. My finacial situation isn't too good, and most of my equipment I've borrowed. :)
 
Hi Kuoppis. Can you describe what you've experienced with and without the Jitterbug?
 
EmiLiuZ said:
I'm connecting my PC to my integrated DAC in my integrated amplifier. I wouldn't say that it's sounding bad, but I want to optimize it to a new level. I'm always using my integrated DAC, and as said earlier, It's not sounding bad at all. I just want to optimize it as much as possible without spending too much. Budget wise I would say that i got around 500$ give or take :) I know it's not much but atleast it's something :D What i find rather strange though, is that a 300$ CD player as a transport is really that much better than streaming music through my PC. I mainly use Spotify on my PC, but sometimes I use other different file types as well. My finacial situation isn't too good, and most of my equipment I've borrowed. :)
Click to expand...

Before you spend money on hardware.

1) What software are you using?
2) Are you using exclusive mode WASAPI or ASIO to communicate with your DAC?
3) What is your source material?
 
EmiLiuZ said:
Hi Kuoppis. Can you describe what you've experienced with and without the Jitterbug?
Click to expand...

Hi EmiLiuZ, the JB is a simple device you use between your USB cable and the source (e.g. PC). It helps to cut out digital glare a bit. It does however not increase your SQ per se.

In your case I would first check which version of Spotify you are using. If you have very low resolution source material (e.g. mp3), then that is most likely the root cause for your problem and the reason for the delta compared to your CD player.

Best solution would be subscription to a higher resolution tier in Spotify. That should help and costs you 10 bucks per month.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I would consider a new DAC. There are plenty of good DAC's in the $500 range especially if you go used.

For new- Schiit BiFrost Multibit, IFI DSD, Teac UD-301, Nuprime DAC-9 to name a few. And here is a great deal on a Marantz-
https://www.musicdirect.com/dac/mar...5LW3xx_p8jBaWK96pqG8NR1rDntZFlu6yeBoCzPXw_wcB


I don't know that a Jitter Bug or Regen will give you what you are looking for. Both clean up the sound and give a more quiet and blacker background, tighter bass and a little more detail and resolution. The Regen does it better and may add a little musicality.

I have an Audioquest Dragonfly usb DAC and an Emotiva Big Ego usb DAC. The JB really made a huge difference with both of those DAC's. The Regen did not work with the DF but made more of an improvement with the Emotiva compared to the JB. I combined the JB and Regen with the Big Ego and there a slight improvment compared to the Regen alone.

I tried the JB with my Luxman and it made the Luxman sound bright but cleaner. The Regen worked great with the Luxman and it has been there ever since.

Also, consider a music player like HQ player or Bug Head. They are much more musical than JRiver and a few others that I have tried. But you need a good computer with at least an I-5 and 8gb ram to get the most out of these programs. For the latest Bug Head versions you need a skylake processor. I have older versions that I can drop box you.
 
EmiLiuZ said:
Hi everyone.

I want to know if any of you, knows some gear/tools/software etc. to improve my system from PC to Amp.

So far I've been far better off playing through my low level CD player as a transport than streaming through my PC. I want to limit that gap.

There is simply more details and music coming through my CD Player, but I love how convenient streaming is.

I'm using the default soundcard on my motherboard |Supreme FX| I know this might not be ideal for music listening.

I got a high tier USB cable |Ansuz Diamond USB|so I do no believe that's the issue.

I'm in search of any hardware or software, which might increase my Digital performance through my PC to my Amp.

I'm on a fairly low budget, but I hope anyone can be helpful in my search :)
Click to expand...


You have a Aavik-300 and say you are on a tight budget? That's a seriously expensive/good bit of kit. And people are telling you to get a better dac???

If your serious about this you might want to take a look at the thread l started on Network Devices for Computer Audiophiles.
 
Hi Kuoppis :) I already got Spotify Premium, which I guess is the best one? Correct me if im wrong :D

The DAC in the U300 is surely not the issue. My purpose for upgrading in this direction is the get more of the same sound out my PC as from my transporter.

As I've described earlier in this topic, I'm on a budget due to the fact that I've borrowed most of my gear.

My DAC and my phonestage is surely not the issue either.

What I've have noticed though. Is that the PC streaming music, Isn't as close as the performance of a 250 USD transporter.

People are getting the consumption that my it's an issue why some of my gear. That's not the case.

I'm not interrested in standalone DACS etc. I'm interrested in small gadgets like the Jitterbug, to get that icing on the cake.
 
When I'm comparing my streaming sound, to my transporter it's a lot of the same, but it's like having a M-Series BMW without the M button.

Can i live with my current setup and the streaming through my pc? Absolutely !

I was just wondering if there was small gadgets/tools or even any software able to bring me that 7th gear when I'm streaming.
 
Hi Alto.

I saw your post and I've been lurking!

I know it sounds strange that I'm on a low budget, when you read my system :D.. It is true though. I don't really have a financial situation, where i can invest several of thousands of dollars into improvement.

I'm not blaming people on not being familiar with my kit, and maybe I haven't been communicating good enough in this thread :)
 
Do you use a conventional hub provided by your IP? If so take a look at getting a switch. Cisco is a good one around £50 or AQVOX audiophile quality switch £380.
 
Testing some Ethernet cables let you know how much difference that makes.

Also PS to router or switch. If your in the Netherlands you could pick up an Sbooster PS cheap?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top