Audio Diagram.

BLACKonBLACK98 · 05-19-2008, 02:01 PM

ok i think i have this thing figured out. after a couple days of searching i have decided on the onkyo se-90pci sound card. it seems to have good construction/reviews, is low profile, and supplies l/r rca outs. the line driver i bought prior to deciding on building a car pc just happens to have a 2 in/6 out setting. so heres what i'm thinking:

any thoughts?

BLACKonBLACK98 · 05-20-2008, 03:35 PM

hmmm... geuss 3500 worth of top of the line gear isnt high end enough. anybody care to comment from a sq pov?

lbridges · 05-20-2008, 04:36 PM

I read your post yesterday, and it's all great stuff (better than I have BTW).

But IMO car audio SQ at that level is mostly about install/tuning. Show it to me in-car with some graphs from a calibrated mic on system response, then you'll get some feedback (probably more than you want

)..

BLACKonBLACK98 · 05-20-2008, 05:40 PM

i don't plan on going to far into tuning (running passive) and the install will be pretty basic (VERY well deadened, woofer in stock location, tweet in kicks, sub in proper ib install i.e. trunk welded and sealed off). the idea is to have a great sounding simple install.

BLACKonBLACK98 · 05-20-2008, 05:47 PM

oh btw, what i'm most concerned about is the onkyo sound card. everything else i know/can figure out.

durwood · 05-21-2008, 02:51 PM

Sorry no offense by moving your post(s). Maybe my definition of "high-end" in the carpc world is different.

To me I expect to see more advanced topics of discussion that merge carpc and electronics/processing/acoustics.

I saw a basic question asking about a soundcard/hardware and if it fits your goals then go for it. If you don't need a line in on the card perhaps a "USB DAC" might be another route if you are looking for a purist/simplistic approach.

scott_fx · 05-21-2008, 05:02 PM

I'd probably look into the usb dac's in your instance since you're doing all of your x-over after the soundcard. another option, if you want to expandability is to go with the behringer 2496

BLACKonBLACK98 · 05-21-2008, 05:38 PM

i checked out some of the behringer gear per your suggestion and i do like it, but i dont want to run another power inverter (my electrical is already complicated enough).

what makes a usb dac better than the dac built into the onkyo card?

scott_fx · 05-21-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BLACKonBLACK98

i checked out some of the behringer gear per your suggestion and i do like it, but i dont want to run another power inverter (my electrical is already complicated enough).

what makes a usb dac better than the dac built into the onkyo card?

unmolested signal mailnly. higher voltage outputs too

BLACKonBLACK98 · 05-21-2008, 09:33 PM

cay you explain what you mean by "molest the signal"?

just by comparing specs (which i loosely understand when applied to sound characteristics) the onkyo card has a high s:n, 24b dac, and high sampling rate (up to 192kHz).

*edit - the voltage isn't a huge issue as the ssld6 has a 1:4.5v ratio (13v peak).

scott_fx · 05-22-2008, 01:01 AM

sometimes a soundcard can add some dsp effects or some internal sampling conversion

durwood · 05-22-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BLACKonBLACK98

i figured thats what the deal was but high end /= advanced tuning.

Point noted, I'll move it back. Be really, two channel analog out of a PC is pretty boring. If I were to subscribe to the $$$ spent on equipment = high-end then that is a poor definition as well.

BTW, onkyo SE-90 is the best you can do for "high-end"? I can rattle off a handfull of cards that will cost lots of $$$ compared to that.

I'm just messing with you so please don't take offense, but seriously if you want the ultimate in 2 channel analog out, the Onkyo goes about mid level.

BLACKonBLACK98 · 05-22-2008, 01:39 PM

no offense taken. i went through every manufacturer site and every product listed trying to find something that looked like what i needed. this is my first voyage into higher end audio as well as my first into pc building so i wanted to keep it simple. when i was designing my system i spent months going through all kinds of set ups and gear and ended up deciding on quality gear in a simple configuration. this card seemed to go with that theme.

i ordered the onkyo card yesteday, although i'm not sure that the place still has it available. i'd be interested to hear of some other cards or even extrenal devices that fit the bill. only requirments i have are:

2 channel analog out
no external power supply
low profile card
bells and whistles kept to a minimum preferably

durwood · 05-22-2008, 04:01 PM

The low profile kills the list, but this is why it is important to have an idea/features of what you need. It makes the selection much quicker and easier.

Not many people realize that.

The only other card that I'm not sure if you saw:

Audiotrak Prodigy HD2

There was a list of DACs here too, but no worries. Your choice is a good one. No reason to have buyers remorse.

BLACKonBLACK98 · 05-22-2008, 08:50 PM

i did see it (i know because the google link was purple) but i dont know why it didn't click as a contender. probably the result of my cram session.

i will keep it in mind should my onkyo purchse not go through.