Author Topic: Share your HTPC Setup (Read 341537 times)

john5479 · « **Reply #1800 on:** Sep 18, 2008 at 01:52 PM »

I actually use an external self powered soundcard and use the digital out to an external dac.

mojako · « **Reply #1801 on:** Sep 18, 2008 at 07:04 PM »

john,
long time ah

anong external soundcard and DAC gamit mo?

john5479 · « **Reply #1802 on:** Sep 18, 2008 at 08:46 PM »

@mojako musta?

Im using an rme fireface800 as my soundcard and use its digital out to an emm labs dcc2. Pretty Expensive

but I like the results

mojako · « **Reply #1803 on:** Sep 19, 2008 at 04:27 AM »

bro bigatin yan Audio PC setup ah!

RXV · « **Reply #1804 on:** Sep 19, 2008 at 09:38 PM »

Guys, meron ba kayong nakita na USB extension cord na umaabot ng 10-15 meters?

voj · « **Reply #1805 on:** Sep 19, 2008 at 09:56 PM »

Quote from: RXV on Sep 19, 2008 at 09:38 PM

Guys, meron ba kayong nakita na USB extension cord na umaabot ng 10-15 meters?

yes. but I bought mine online at svc.com

Jett · « **Reply #1806 on:** Sep 24, 2008 at 08:58 AM »

Quote from: voj on Sep 17, 2008 at 01:58 PM

I have this keyboard. BTC keyboard sold at Octagon Computers at the malls. I think I bought it for less than 2k

I've checked a couple of Octagon stores (Megamall, Galleria) ... it looks like they no longer carry this.

joey · « **Reply #1807 on:** Sep 24, 2008 at 09:19 AM »

san kaya ako makakabili ng AMD Socket 939 Athlon64/Athlon64 FX/Athlon64 X2/ Processors yung mga 3800+ or mas mataas pa? upgrade ko sana yung cpu ko. eto lang kasi supported niya Processors.(A8N-SLI Deluxe)

just got a new 8600Gt Video card. Bumigay na yung old card ko.

ninjababez® · « **Reply #1808 on:** Sep 24, 2008 at 11:44 AM »

Quote from: joey on Sep 24, 2008 at 09:19 AM

san kaya ako makakabili ng AMD Socket 939 Athlon64/Athlon64 FX/Athlon64 X2/ Processors yung mga 3800+ or mas mataas pa? upgrade ko sana yung cpu ko. eto lang kasi supported niya Processors.(A8N-SLI Deluxe)

just got a new 8600Gt Video card. Bumigay na yung old card ko.

it would be very expensive but i know someone who sells opteron processors (s939) .. sana may stock pa sya

pm me for details ..
but my advise is .. get a new mobo, ram and processor cause it would be cheaper in time

milken · « **Reply #1809 on:** Sep 24, 2008 at 03:39 PM »

Quote from: john5479 on Sep 18, 2008 at 08:46 PM

@mojako musta?

Im using an rme fireface800 as my soundcard and use its digital out to an emm labs dcc2. Pretty Expensive but I like the results

@john5479, do you have a dedicated cd player? how do you compare the sounds from your soundcard + external DAC vs. CD player?

john5479 · « **Reply #1810 on:** Sep 24, 2008 at 08:54 PM »

I used to have one but sold it and opted to store my music on a hardisk. I like my current setup better but had to do a lot of tweaking to get it to sound better than my cd player. My previous cd player was a rega apollo, soundwise my current setup sounds balanced, bass is just right, not bloated.

milken · « **Reply #1811 on:** Sep 24, 2008 at 10:50 PM »

I've been considering either Rotel RCD-1072 ($700) or Rega Apollo ($1,200) as a dedicated CD player but like the flexibility and manageability of HTPC as a music server. However, the sound quality output of a HTPC playing FLAC or mp3 would not rival that of a dedicated CD player in terms of imaging and soundstage.

So in search of a device that could enhance music playback in HTPC, I came across these external DACs:
- Benchmark DAC1 http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/108bench/index.html $1,275; and
- Musical Fidelity X-DAC V8 http://www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/208mfx/ $1,500.

Both have usb input for connecting to htpc. If my understanding is correct, these products may dispense with a sound card since the input is via usb and not via optical or coaxial input found in sound cards. Any thoughts about these external DACs? or could you recommend any better bang-for-the-buck DACs?

uvax · « **Reply #1812 on:** Sep 25, 2008 at 08:58 AM »

Just wanted to share something I found while looking around the web:

http://www.gyration.com/?l=en#productDetail

Demo:

http://www.gyration.com/air_remote_demo.html

Should be perfect for a Home Theater setup with an HTPC.

john5479 · « **Reply #1813 on:** Sep 25, 2008 at 11:28 AM »

Quote from: milken on Sep 24, 2008 at 10:50 PM

I've been considering either Rotel RCD-1072 ($700) or Rega Apollo ($1,200) as a dedicated CD player but like the flexibility and manageability of HTPC as a music server. However, the sound quality output of a HTPC playing FLAC or mp3 would not rival that of a dedicated CD player in terms of imaging and soundstage.

So in search of a device that could enhance music playback in HTPC, I came across these external DACs:
- Benchmark DAC1 http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/108bench/index.html $1,275; and
- Musical Fidelity X-DAC V8 http://www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/208mfx/ $1,500.

Both have usb input for connecting to htpc. If my understanding is correct, these products may dispense with a sound card since the input is via usb and not via optical or coaxial input found in sound cards. Any thoughts about these external DACs? or could you recommend any better bang-for-the-buck DACs?

You can try the Benchmark dac1, for a simpler setup and stick to FLAC and use foobar as your music player.

You will have to tweak your pc if you want it to sound its best.For some ideas try browsing the pc audio thread at audioasylum.com.

milken · « **Reply #1814 on:** Sep 26, 2008 at 04:19 PM »

Thanks for the inputs.

jackryan · « **Reply #1815 on:** Sep 26, 2008 at 07:43 PM »

Quote from: andre on Jul 10, 2008 at 07:08 AM

I just bought an Acer Aspire X3200 Desktop PC at 16.8T, Small Form Factor Casing, with HDMI & SPDIF out built-in already. check out the specs at google.

I installed K-Lite Codec. and connect it to my 40" lcd tv. And presto, instant HTPC.

How's the performance so far ? Can this unit play games without problems and also mkv files without hitches? This is AMD CPU powered right?

Thanks in advance!

-JackRyan

jackryan · « **Reply #1816 on:** Sep 26, 2008 at 07:44 PM »

Quote from: GneW on Jul 10, 2008 at 02:44 PM

found this ad at tipidpc
http://www.tipidpc.com/viewitem.php?iid=2108008

how much kaya aabutin kung upgrade to 2GB RAM, 500GB HDD and wireless keyboar/mouse.

Is this powerful enough to help me play the newer PC game titles? Also, would this play mkv files flawlessly with its built-in HDMI port able to do 1080p?

Thanks,
JackRyan

john5479 · « **Reply #1817 on:** Sep 26, 2008 at 10:13 PM »

It should play mkv files without a hitch, for gaming you need to upgrade your video card if you'll play crysis

jackryan · « **Reply #1818 on:** Sep 27, 2008 at 03:40 PM »

Quote from: john5479 on Sep 26, 2008 at 10:13 PM

It should play mkv files without a hitch, for gaming you need to upgrade your video card if you'll play crysis

thanks... got one na :-)

otepsy · « **Reply #1819 on:** Sep 29, 2008 at 11:19 AM »

Quote from: jackryan on Sep 27, 2008 at 03:40 PM

thanks... got one na :-)

sir review naman using mkv rips. video and audio quality, what connection did you use? thanks...
i'm eyeing for this one.

raptor · « **Reply #1820 on:** Oct 02, 2008 at 03:26 PM »

Quote from: jackryan on Sep 26, 2008 at 07:44 PM

Is this powerful enough to help me play the newer PC game titles? Also, would this play mkv files flawlessly with its built-in HDMI port able to do 1080p?

Thanks,
JackRyan

In addition to the earlier comment, you also need to upgrade the Vista Home Basic to Home Premium if you're planning to stream video from other PC's.

Munskie · « **Reply #1821 on:** Oct 04, 2008 at 10:45 PM »

My HTPC/Gaming Rig

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 ghz
MOBO: Asus P5Q P45
RAM: 4gb DDR2-1066 Corsair Dominator
Storage: 500gb Seagate sata/640gb Seagate sata
Optical Drive: Lightscribe 20x dual layer
Video Card: Palit ATI Radeon HD 4870 1gb
PSU: Corsair 620HX
Casing: Gigabyte iSolo
Monitor: Samsung T220
Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech LX 310 Laser

john5479 · « **Reply #1822 on:** Oct 05, 2008 at 12:46 AM »

Nice!!!, that rig could do gaming alright

Are you using vista or xp?

dyerds · « **Reply #1823 on:** Oct 05, 2008 at 02:12 AM »

Quote from: Munskie on Oct 04, 2008 at 10:45 PM

My HTPC/Gaming Rig

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 ghz
MOBO: Asus P5Q P45
RAM: 4gb DDR2-1066 Corsair Dominator
Storage: 500gb Seagate sata/640gb Seagate sata
Optical Drive: Lightscribe 20x dual layer
Video Card: Palit ATI Radeon HD 4870 1gb
PSU: Corsair 620HX
Casing: Gigabyte iSolo
Monitor: Samsung T220
Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech LX 310 Laser

Sir Munskie parang galit na galit yung setup nyo ah.

Ano po ba mga nilalaro nyo sa PC?

keema · « **Reply #1824 on:** Oct 05, 2008 at 04:47 AM »

pasingit lng po..may question po ako..dapat po ba sa laptop naka specify kung yung headphone out ay pwedeng gawing din spdif out? thanks...

Munskie · « **Reply #1825 on:** Oct 05, 2008 at 05:37 AM »

Quote from: dyerds on Oct 05, 2008 at 02:12 AM

Sir Munskie parang galit na galit yung setup nyo ah. Ano po ba mga nilalaro nyo sa PC?

world in conflict and company of heroes....

andre · « **Reply #1826 on:** Oct 05, 2008 at 07:03 AM »

Quote from: john5479 on Sep 26, 2008 at 10:13 PM

It should play mkv files without a hitch, for gaming you need to upgrade your video card if you'll play crysis

I have an Acer X3200, I dont think you can upgrade the video card. There's no more space inside.

ninjababez® · « **Reply #1827 on:** Oct 05, 2008 at 07:10 AM »

Quote from: andre on Oct 05, 2008 at 07:03 AM

I have an Acer X3200, I dont think you can upgrade the video card. There's no more space inside.

what is the exact specs of this model? nakakalito kasi when i searced it online .

Clondalkin · « **Reply #1828 on:** Oct 05, 2008 at 08:49 AM »

Quote from: andre on Oct 05, 2008 at 07:03 AM

I have an Acer X3200, I dont think you can upgrade the video card. There's no more space inside.

The latest cards are soooooooooooooooooo long. Unless you have regular-sized case, it is highly doubtful if the long graphics card would fit in.

john5479 · « **Reply #1829 on:** Oct 05, 2008 at 08:55 AM »

Its motherboard supports hybrid sli, but given the size of the chassis and its power supply the choice for a video card is limited