Thread: Audio Quality on Epia M10000 (verdict not so good)

Originally Posted by fatman

Seems that folks are all over the board when it comes to the quality of the on-board M10000 audio. I will share my first-hand experience for those who have yet to make the on-board audio decision.

Now that I have my system fully integrated and functional, I must say that I'm not too happy with the audio quality I'm getting from the M10000. I'm using the onboard 5.1 (ignoring the center channel) to my amp, and the bass that the sub channel is putting out is pretty weak. I'm talking about the frequencies below 100hz or so. I have a single 12 in my trunk. Compared to the M10000, the stock 'business radio' unit (which was already of marginal quality) I had in before was putting out a richer signal. The M10000 just sounds a bit flat.

Have any of you been able to achieve decent audio quality? Maybe with an external usb sound card? I'm talking about a quality approaching that of a top-of-the-line pioneer or comparable system.

If you'd used teh SEARCH tool, you'd know the answer.

If you can make use of the SPDIF-out, that's the best way to go for quality. The trick is finding compatible audio components. They're out there, though.

Assuming that you read my first sentence, yes, I have searched and I usually try to before making an *** of myself

My amp doesn't take SPDIF, so I'm bound to analog. I don't want to add another digital-analog component into my car either.

Anyway, I was able to improve the signal by making changes to my software: I now divide the volume range into 3 parts, which I call soft, hard main, and hard F/R:

hard F/R range: ( 0db -> -10db) software is at full volume, sub is at full volume, front and rears are adjusted as one.

hard main range: ( -10db -> -35db) using system main volume control here (software still at full volume, but all 4.1 speakers are adjusted as one).

soft range: (-35db -> -70db) at this point I'm using the software APIs (audio, video, dvd) to make volume adjustements, since below -35db the hardware volume controls don't work properly.

Also, I have a bass boost dial hooked up into my amp, so that I can make quick adjustments based on the music I listen to.

So... with this I'm relatively happy with the bass output, but in the next few months I will give an external usb audigy a shot, too. Theoretically this should clean up the signal.

R

anyone have the external Audigy? results?

Originally Posted by titaniumkingpin

anyone have the external Audigy? results?

Yes. It's better.

I have been very impressed with the Xitel Pro Hifi link (http://www.xitel.com/product_phfl.htm) for digital and 2-ch analog out.

This may work for you for multi-channel output:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...ater-main.html

Originally Posted by fatman

Assuming that you read my first sentence, yes, I have searched and I usually try to before making an *** of myself

Let's look at your first sentence, shall we?

Originally Posted by fatman

Seems that folks are all over the board when it comes to the quality of the on-board M10000 audio. I will share my first-hand experience for those who have yet to make the on-board audio decision.

Says nothing about searching or reading manuals. Only that you want to impart information to other users. Nice idea. You're to be commended for that, although the information you presented is hardly new.
But then you bust out with a query:

Originally Posted by fatman

Have any of you been able to achieve decent audio quality? Maybe with an external usb sound card? I'm talking about a quality approaching that of a top-of-the-line pioneer or comparable system.

And at this, I responded appropriately.
If you'd searched, you'd kknow what people have done to achieve top-shelf audio quality.
Here's a thread to point you int he right direction, assuming you want to go the route of using SPDIF output to a digital decoder:
For those who want true 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS

Hey man just pick up a nice EQ take the line out on the sound card use the y splitter 1/8" headphone jack to RCA's then connect it in to the EQ. Then run the RCA's to their corresponding amps. Clarion makes a pretty nice EQ and its not that expensive Clarion EQS-744 http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/1923

It takes the voltage output from the computer from about 0.5volts to 7volts which will give you a better cleaner signal that should make it sound much better. If you dont like that clarion look for something comparable.

Thanks Bulldog, I think that this will be a good solution.

I don't want to go w/ SPDIF out because I want to control the volume with the PC, and not another external device. This way I can keep using my steering wheel controls for volume.

My next step will be to try the Audigy 2 NX to see if I can eliminate some noise and get a bit more power into the sub channel. According to the specs, this sound card should output about 2 volts or so. If this is not enough for my amp, I will try adding the EQS744 between the sound card and sub. Just waiting on the Carnetix 1280 I just ordered so that I can get the 5 Volts to the Audigy.

Fatman -

How did the AUdigy work out for you? I'm in the middle of extensive searches and came to find that you are doing what I plan to do. Did you need to use the Clarion EQS744 to really make it work...or did the Audigy do the trick?