Should I go for Soundcard/Sound interface/mixer?

[86technie]

Lately my SB Omni Surround 5.1 starts to have problems like cannot detect.
Cracking noise during playback or the hardware will disappear.
Going forward I may consider sound interface instead of soundcard.

At the moment I am still using PC speakers not studio monitor speakers.
Once I embark on sound interface, in the future I can play with
studio monitors speakers especially those with Two 1/4-inch jack and etc.

For the moment I am looking at either

Focusrite 2i4

This one have 1/4-inch jack so in the future can explore suitable monitor speakers.
I don't do recording, basically just music listening/ripping, videos and etc.
that is about it.

It maybe overkill but soundcard have it's own pros and cons.
Not to mention soundcards usually are heavily focus on software.
Anyone can share you opinion should I just stick to soundcard or sound interface or get a basic mixer?

 

[mypillowtalks]

Im using mixer + "built in soundcard" on my laptop for a few years now

The software for the cheap "soundcard" does help a bit. Basically just different type of signal processing filters to make "vocal" or "crystal clear" effects. And the variable low pass filter frequency.

The mixer issue is that over time the faders will get old and the contacts inside the fader gets dirty/bad, which means some "positions" on the fader may not have sound.

The advantage is that mixers looks more professional and people who come to ur house may not know how to operate it.

Then again, if u dont do mixing or recording, get mixer maybe not so worth. Maybe other interface got better sound quality?


Im thinking of getting Other interface so i can get 5.1, but still using the same speakers. So more "cinema like"


Sent from The Magical Land Of Talking Pillows, Bolsters & Blankets; Far, Far Away Deep In Another Galaxy using GAGT

 

[86technie]

Im using mixer + "built in soundcard" on my laptop for a few years now

The software for the cheap "soundcard" does help a bit. Basically just different type of signal processing filters to make "vocal" or "crystal clear" effects. And the variable low pass filter frequency.

The mixer issue is that over time the faders will get old and the contacts inside the fader gets dirty/bad, which means some "positions" on the fader may not have sound.

The advantage is that mixers looks more professional and people who come to ur house may not know how to operate it.

Then again, if u dont do mixing or recording, get mixer maybe not so worth. Maybe other interface got better sound quality?


Im thinking of getting Other interface so i can get 5.1, but still using the same speakers. So more "cinema like"


Sent from The Magical Land Of Talking Pillows, Bolsters & Blankets; Far, Far Away Deep In Another Galaxy using GAGT

This I agree, over time the fader will wear out.
Most likely sound interface.
For 5.1, usually are AVR are the best option.
However the pricing starts from $5xx onwards.

 

[forests_gump]

hope you dnt mind, Am trying to sort out your choice in-view of your end-objective:-
1~ Reason for 1/4 inch jack -- as an input to suitable monitor speakers/audiophile headphones?
2~ don't do recording, basically just music listening/ripping, videos -- so does it means sound source are basically digital or to support movies 5.1 channel? ? does your music output need to be audiophile?

Personally thinks soundcard or sound interface or get a basic mixer -- depends on above 2 questions.

 

[86technie]

hope you dnt mind, Am trying to sort out your choice in-view of your end-objective:-
1~ Reason for 1/4 inch jack -- as an input to suitable monitor speakers/audiophile headphones?
2~ don't do recording, basically just music listening/ripping, videos -- so does it means sound source are basically digital or to support movies 5.1 channel? ? does your music output need to be audiophile?

Personally thinks soundcard or sound interface or get a basic mixer -- depends on above 2 questions.

1 - 1/4 not a must at the moment since I am still using speaker with RCA input.
So sound interface with RCA should do fine.

2 - Sadly I only focus on Stereo channel not 5.1.
Since I have a proper HTS system with AVR for watching movie.
The sound interface stereo will just do fine.
Sources wise most are digital, physical disc and etc.

 

[forests_gump]

I would presume your primary end-objective are towards stereo system for high quality digital music playback, such as music digital files from PC, network or internet streaming. Are physical disc CD/DVD, or Vinyl records?

As you mention heading toward studio monitor speaker, presume you are trying to be as accurate/musical/emotional as possible to actual music source (hifi/audiophile), then somethings to keep in mind:

1- Avoid adding unnecessary (extra) component along in your music path.
Mixer, Bass, Treble, Eq controls are not necessary, as they adulterate coloration or add noise the actual music. Instead pay more attend to your speakers and equipment quality, listening environment, or use headphones.

2- Keep digital music source in digital domain as far as possible.
(though speaker by nature are analog)
PC internal card analog audio output is not clean high quality output - PC circuitry are inherit noisy, and poorly conditioned for audio signal quality. Output from digitally from soundcard spdif (ie. Sound interface either Coax/Toslink), then external jitter reclock if beyond 192Khz rate. If you use full digital amp, you can bypass signal degradation cause by dac/adc resampling altogether.

PS:Studio monitors are theoretically passive speakers + internal Class D/H amp, so build-in amp has some possibility of heat trapped inside speaker enclosure (affect amp longevity)

If you are not interested in accurate music playback, then anything would do.

Much referenced book: The Complete Guide to High-End Audio by Robert Harley

 

[86technie]

I would presume your primary end-objective are towards stereo system for high quality digital music playback, such as music digital files from PC, network or internet streaming. Are physical disc CD/DVD, or Vinyl records?

As you mention heading toward studio monitor speaker, presume you are trying to be as accurate/musical/emotional as possible to actual music source (hifi/audiophile), then somethings to keep in mind:

1- Avoid adding unnecessary (extra) component along in your music path.
Mixer, Bass, Treble, Eq controls are not necessary, as they adulterate coloration or add noise the actual music. Instead pay more attend to your speakers and equipment quality, listening environment, or use headphones.

2- Keep digital music source in digital domain as far as possible.
(though speaker by nature are analog)
PC internal card analog audio output is not clean high quality output - PC circuitry are inherit noisy, and poorly conditioned for audio signal quality. Output from digitally from soundcard spdif (ie. Sound interface either Coax/Toslink), then external jitter reclock if beyond 192Khz rate. If you use full digital amp, you can bypass signal degradation cause by dac/adc resampling altogether.

PS:Studio monitors are theoretically passive speakers + internal Class D/H amp, so build-in amp has some possibility of heat trapped inside speaker enclosure (affect amp longevity)

If you are not interested in accurate music playback, then anything would do.

Much referenced book: The Complete Guide to High-End Audio by Robert Harley

Thanks bro, very technical info there.
Will consider a proper sound interface than PC grade soundcards.
Not to mention most rely on software than hardware.

 

[forests_gump]

doesnt mean PC are necessary bad, especially PC are such a common commodity to most and you like to use software playback; just use soundcard's spdif (digital) output would be fine.