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This is the way to go. I have HD-495s and I love them. They're way better with an amp though. I got one that was built into a Stereo-Link 1200 and bypassed the super-crappy, extra-noisy, on-board soundcard in the stardard issue Dell desktop they have where I work at the same time. They sound pretty good plugged into the iPod too, though the bass isn't as impressive.

Why soundproof a 10'x10' area when you only need to soundproof the 1' cube around your head?

All I have to say is "Stereo-Link"... I've had so many problems with grounding loops and computer audio that the only way to go is digital. Whether it be optical or USB, it's the only way to cut out noise that will more often than not be apparent in a computer... Stereo-Link USB DAC This thing rocks, I own the 1200 and is the best audio investment I've made in a long time!

This is the best way to play mp3s on your
home stereo. Quality Hi-Fi equipment and
costs less than many high end sound cards.


http://www.stereo-link.com/

This is the best way to play mp3s on
your home stereo. It's called stereo link.
Quality Hi-Fi equipment and costs less
than most high end sound cards.


http://www.stereo-link.com/

Put all the files on an old laptop with an 802.11 access point. Connect it to my stereo through an Edirol UA-1A or Stereo-link USB audio converter, which should give much better sound quality than a typical PC sound card. The Griffin Technology IMIC is another possibility. Run a web server on the laptop that allows selecting and playing songs from a remote web browser. Then use my Sharp Zaurus Linux-based PDA with an 802.11 CF wireless card to control the system using its built-in web browser to pick out songs and play them. If I get really fancy, I can scan all the CD liner pamphlets and put them on the laptop too. Then the browser can display them and I can read the lyrics while the music is playing.

This is all done with simple stuff that I have kicking around the house already (crappy old 300 mhz laptop etc.), so except for the wireless cards which I don't have yet, will cost less than buying stereo stuff and give far more functionality and flexibility, plus of course use entirely free source code. It will be sooooo cool. I just couldn't see doing it any other way.

Reviews: 1, 2, 3.

I don't trust USB completely. I've had problems with hubs deciding not to supply power, and the bandwidth is too narrow. From what I've heard about USB CD recorders, I'm not alone.

When I burned my first couple of cd's I was careful not to use the machine (laptop, PIII 750) for fear of swamping the USB's bandwidth... I've got a USB keyboard, USB mouse, USB compact flash reader and a USB cable for my PDA.

However, I'm happy to report, everything seems to work just fine and dandy when using other USB devices. Granted, I haven't tried using everything at the exact same time... but, I'm pleasantly surprised by the performance.

Maybe tonight I'll try my hardest at making a coaster... </evilgrin>

Anyway, I've also been thinking about getting a USB sound device... either the Stereo-Link or Extigy. I like the Extigy because it's got a lot of "stuff" (sparing the details). But, I also like the Stereo-Link because it's not Creative's product. I haven't quite decided, yet... here are some reviews:

• Extigy: 1, 2, 3;
• Stereo-Link: 1, 2, 3.

Well, for audiophiles, I've heard nothing beats the Stereo-link 1200. Sound & Vision magazine gave it a great review.

If only it had an LCD or something so you didn't have to control the music from your PC

The StereoLink sounds fantastic: good DACs, free of RF and power supply/hd noise. It also has an excellent headphone amplifier capable of driving difficult loads (high impedance phones like Sennheiser HD580, Etymotic 4S). Unfortunately, it suffers from the same thing USB audio has always suffered from: occasional stuttering and hiccuping due to disk access. Stereolink knows this is a problem, and they do their best to help, but hardware makers need to get their acts together with microsoft to provide better support for USB sound. Hopefully now that Creative is relying on USB audio, something will be done about it.

USB problems aside, Extigy is going to be great for standalone 5.1 decoding use with Xbox or PS2.

Aren't USB digital audio gadets, like the Stereo Link supposed to do a lot better at getting bit-for-bit output, than cards with SPDIF?

They add a bit to cost, but if you are spending $20,000 already, seems like its justyfied.

Given the environment inside your computer, you may get some interference included in your audio signal. Stereo-Link manufactures a USB device that will allow the computer generated audio to be piped into a stereo w/o any of the included noise picked up from a sound card. It is available from this site too for $159. I would like to see how the ethernet device stacks up against this product.