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Getting High-Quality Audio From a PC

Posted by kdawson on from the sounds-like dept.

audiophile writes "Just because it's a PC doesn't mean it can't output good-sounding audio. In the same vein as specialty A/V products, you can find PC-based A/V systems with extensive audio processing and step-up performance specifications, including Signal-to-Noise ratio, which can make a significant difference when using the analog outputs. Media center manufacturer Niveus shares tips for getting high-quality audio from a PC."

18 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. I need more coffee by StarvingSE · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because at first glance I seriously thought that this article was going to be about smoking pot...

    --
    I got nothin'
    1. Re:I need more coffee by darkvizier · · Score: 3, Funny

      I need more coffee... because at first glance I seriously thought that this article was going to be about smoking pot...

      Maybe it's not more coffee you need, but less pot?

      Why has my submitted story been marked as "pending" for over 2 weeks now?

      Don't call us, we'll call you.

    2. Re:I need more coffee by enc0der · · Score: 3, Funny

      You're not the only one. I saw it as "Getting High" "Quality music on a PC" I just had the visual of someone staring at Winamp with Milkdrop running and commented "Dude, this sounds AWESOME" :)

    3. Re:I need more coffee by zakezuke · · Score: 2, Funny

      Because at first glance I seriously thought that this article was going to be about smoking pot...

      Getting High - Quality Audio from the pc. I thought it was going to be about someone releasing an extended dance remix of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly.

      --
      There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.
    4. Re:I need more coffee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Reeferdot: News for stoners, stuff that .. whatever..

  2. Why? by Stavr0 · · Score: 2, Funny
    Wouldn't it be simpler to use a recent sound card, and redirect all audio to the bitstream output? , or use a stream-capture driver that redirects the sound card output to a disk file?

    Unless you happen to be on a DRM-encumbered OS like Vista where this is no longer poss---Ohhhh I see what's going on here...

    Right. Move along. Nothing to see here.

  3. Re:Nice, just wish I could afford the equipment... by davidwr · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bill Gates: Can you hear me now?

    --
    Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
  4. Re:Lynx Studio: 200K samples/sec @ 24/bits per sam by CaseyB · · Score: 2, Funny

    So that it still sounds perfect on those occasions when you choose to play your music back at 1/4 speed.

  5. Re:Lynx Studio: 200K samples/sec @ 24/bits per sam by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 3, Funny

    You can use an assortment of filters that use the ultra high frequencies essentially as a garbage dump. All the errors are placed in the inaudible region.

  6. Re:Audiophiles really are the ultimate suckers by hairykrishna · · Score: 3, Funny
    That's the funniest product description I ever read. It honestly looks like something off the Onion.

    "Better clarity and resolution for video

    Guess I don't need no stinkin' high def TV, it's just my low-quality power cable that is lowering my TV's resolution.

    --
    "Physics is to math as sex is to masturbation." -R. Feynman
  7. Re:My answer too by dal20402 · · Score: 2, Funny

    As an owner of one Sony and one Panasonic digital "amp" owner who is equally happy...

    Just see what happens when you are sitting around eating BBQ in the backyard and you try to tell people about your kick-ass PCM-PWM converter and amplitude modulator.

    (On second thought, /. readers are probably inured to the resulting reaction. Never mind.)

  8. Re:Nice, just wish I could afford the equipment... by grommit · · Score: 5, Funny

    When you move into your new home, don't forget the Ultra Super Mega Hi-Definition Monster Cables, just $199.99/linear foot! The increased resonances fidelities and resolutions will be well worth it. Also, it's much better to be safe and completely isolate your audio system from the power grid by running it entirely off of car batteries (I buy the batteries that Nascar uses since they're the highest quality). It may seem expensive but it's well worth it. I've spent over $150k on my audio system so far and I can *hear* the difference. Every time I buy a new component that costs 10x what the old component cost, it definitely sounds better.

  9. Re:Nice, just wish I could afford the equipment... by dgatwood · · Score: 5, Funny

    ROTFLMAO. My favorite is the Wooden Volume Knob.

    It's funny. Laugh.

    --

    Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

  10. Re:public service announcement by IthnkImParanoid · · Score: 2, Funny

    don't overdo the drugs, booze, or caffeine
    Or better yet, stop putting them in your ear altogether!

    (Actually, I didn't know caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine could exacerbate hearing loss/tinnitus. Thanks for the interesting post.)
    --
    It's nothing but crumpled porno and Ayn Rand.
  11. Re:Nice, just wish I could afford the equipment... by powerpants · · Score: 3, Funny

    The key feature, not mentioned on the webpage, is that these knobs go to 11.

  12. Re:Nice, just wish I could afford the equipment... by chris+mazuc · · Score: 3, Funny
    The point here is the micro vibrations created by the volume pots and knobs find their way into the delicate signal path and cause degradation (Bad vibrations equal bad sound). With the signature knobs micro vibrations from the C37 concept of wood, bronze and the lacquer itself compensate for the volume pots and provide (Good Vibrations) our ear/brain combination like to hear...way better sound!!



    Hahahahahaha, at $485 the only knob is the one buying this kind of product.

    --
    E pluribus unum
  13. Re:My answer by BarkLouder · · Score: 0, Funny

    But sometimes, if you listen to audiophiles, you'll hear totally retarded things like how some brand of CD-Rs will provide clearer-sounding recordings.

    Those are the ANALOG CD-R's they're talking about...

  14. Re:Nice, just wish I could afford the equipment... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You wouldn't mock someone for having a kick ass computer setup, but there's some kind of geek prejudice against audio - which just seems weird to me.

    You must be new here.

    I bet you have Vista Ultimate, too. You sound like the kind of schmuck who would pay for that junk.