Do active speakers need Amp? Noob here please help

[gacx]

Hi all,

Currently, i m using creative x-fi platinum fatality champion series sound card and logitech z5500 5.1 pc speakers.

in view of the sound quality, i have decided to add-in an amplifier in order to "enhanced" the sound quality overall. i m aware that technically an active speaker does not required amp as there are built in with an amp + crossover.

can this be done? does this setup "beautify" my sound quality?:confused:

please comments & guidance needed.

thanks & cheers!!!:)

[robertruetz]

I'm not sure what you mean by "beautify." An amp will certainly not beautify your sound, it will simply amplify it. Some amps add color or noise to the sound, but I don't know that it's always a positive thing.

I guess I don't understand what you're trying to accomplish. What application is this for?

Rob
:cool:

[gacx]

I'm not sure what you mean by "beautify." An amp will certainly not beautify your sound, it will simply amplify it. Some amps add color or noise to the sound, but I don't know that it's always a positive thing.

I guess I don't understand what you're trying to accomplish. What application is this for?

Rob
:cool:


thanks Rob

purely listening to music (CDs) and some games using my pc. currently, i m searching for some add-on (i.e. amp, DAC, etc.) to enhance my sound/music output.

can it be done? i hope u get what want. :(

edited: btw, what is Ultra-linear, high-capacity analog amplifier?

[robertruetz]

What do you mean by "enhance?" I guess I still don't understand what you are wanting to achieve. How is your current setup failing you? What about it needs to be made better in your opinion? What are you missing that another piece of equipment is going to provide?

I don't know how you would add an amplifier into your current setup--since your speakers are already powered.

Your Xi-Fi card is doing the DAC work at this point, so I don't see why you would need a DAC unless you are going to replace the Xi-Fi card.

Just need some more information to send you in the right direction, if there is one. Making something sound better can be purely subjective, unless there is an obvious flaw in your current sound.

Rob
:cool:

[gacx]

my sub- sound rather "boomy". the mid- somehow seems "dull". tried to change some settings but it failed obviously. despite listening to good quality CDs (remastered type) and lossless formats. even in a DTS/Dolby movies.

i m think amplifying the signal twice might help. or would it help or otherwise?

[howie15]

Amp'ing a bad signal or sound just gives you a distorted bad sound. Those Logitechs probably couldn't take the kind of signal another amp would send to them. Your SoundBlaster is probably giving you a good signal, it's just not being reproduced effectively. Hate to say it, but you might look at a different set of speakers. PC speakers, even the 5.1 sets, are far from amazing at reproducing the full range of an audio spectrum. Those little satellite speakers can only do so much.

Then there is the whole topic of the space you're sitting in. That's a WHOLE other story.

Howie J

[AndyH]

The biggest factor in how things sound is the room, which can be modified with damping and baffles and proper speaker placement. The next factor is the speakers. I don't have the energy to check web pages for information on your equipment, but it is quite likely that, as with essentially every other PC speaker set on the market, you don't really have a sub-woofer. You just have a rather small woofer in a small box that has been mislabeled by the advertising department. Decent real bass just isn't possible.

Regardless, you cannot run two power amplifiers in series. You can tear apart the speakers and replace the amplifier, but not add another to it. Again, I don’t have the time or energy to write it all out at the moment, but this would be obvious to anyone who had any idea how such things work. There is lots of basic electronics information available on-line if you want to become more aware and verify this for yourself.

[gacx]

thanks guys.

i got the points, after much reading on the web i do realized amplifying the signal twice will not work totally or perhaps nonsense.

in this case, if i would to buy passive speakers plus an amp connecting through the pc sound card. this will work right?

once again thanks

[AndyH]

Yes, passive speakers use & require a separate power amplifier. A soundcard's line output will drive the amplifier, but possibly not to full power. Generally a pre-amplifier is used for that, but mainly to attenuate rather than amplify the signal (i.e. a line level signal is often sufficient). A soundcard and its on-computer volume control will probably be adequate, but you would have to experiment to find out if it satisfies you.

[gacx]

is there any much different comparing a dedicated player and through PC? i was made known that with PC it will create much noise. Coz' sound card do tends to absorb some noise from the pc itself. is this true?

[robertruetz]

It can be true, yes. This is usually more prevalent if you are using the onboard sound. PCI interfaces, such as the Xi-Fi card you mentioned earlier should eliminate most of that noise. IMO, You will usually get better quality from a dedicated player (depending upon what kind of player you get). You lose some of the multi-tasking and upgrade capabilities that you can get with a PC. However, You might consider investing in a better output system, perhaps a true home-theater grade receiver and speaker setup? This way you can incorporate your PC into a mix of components that you can add as you need them.

Just an idea.

Rob
:cool:

[gacx]

thanks guys.. really a great help. :) i m looking into a stereo hi-fi only

see, in Malaysia i could find some good brand like Sugden, AYRE, Naim, Unison Research, kind of CDP, pre-amp & power amp. for speakers like Opera, ProAc, Spendor etc.

any comment / recommendation on those stuff? :D

approx. i have about RM200,000/USD 60,000 to spend.

cheers!!

[itsplayed]

thanks guys.. really a great help. :) i m looking into a stereo hi-fi only

see, in Malaysia i could find some good brand like Sugden, AYRE, Naim, Unison Research, kind of CDP, pre-amp & power amp. for speakers like Opera, ProAc, Spendor etc.

any comment / recommendation on those stuff? :D

approx. i have about RM200,000/USD 60,000 to spend.

cheers!!

Is that 60,000 as in dollars?!!!

If you've got that kind of money to spend, why not hire a local pro in the audio field to set you up?

[gacx]

60,000 is in dollar. local pro are like salesmen obviously there rather bias with their own products.

i have tested & auditioned the followings but again i like all of them, i need comments.

1) Sugden pre-amp + power amp + CDP AND spendor s8e.... warm good in vocal
2) Naim pre-amp + power amp + CDP AND ProAc speakers...... low frequencies is damn good
3) AYRE pre-amp + power amp + CDP AND ATC speakers...... projection is supreb, i meant sound

just cant make up my mind

[robertruetz]

No, what he means by pro is not a salesman. Hire a professional accoustician or a very savvy home-theater design professional to design a system that is optimal for your needs and desires. You can spend whatever you want on all kinds of equipment, but knowing what to get and where to put it is a different story. With that kind of money, you should be able to get a very skilled professional to point you towards the right products for your application, as well as help you with installation and tuning. Why get amateur opinions when you can get actual, real-world, hands-on, professional experience from a certified technician with verifiable credentials and references? They should be able to show you previous installs they've done and give several references for you to check out--just like any other contractor should.

If you insist on choosing your own products, that is your decision. I would still consult a professional to make sure the stuff is placed and connected correctly.

Just my opinion, but if I'm going to spend that much cash on a system, I want somebody who I can hold responsible if something doesn't perform up to my expectations (besides myself).

I'm sorry to report that I'm not familiar with any of the equipment you've listed. Perhaps someone else here will have some information for you.

How did we go from a PC with a Soundblaster and some PC speakers to a $60,000 system? I think something is breaking down in the communication somewhere.

Rob
:cool:

[howie15]

Rob, I was thinking the same thing. I looked the numbers up and 200,000 Maylasian Ringgits equals 56,415.10 USD. I agree that a Sound Blaster card is a waste when putting that kind of money into a system. You're talking about some serious botique items for that money.

Howie J

[gacx]

initially i m thinking of getting my pc sound "better". However, things don't work out as i wish... :(

thus by borrowing this thread i m seeking some opinion about my new stereo setup. thingking u guys might give some personal comments of opinion.

apologize for my mistakes, no offense

cheers!

[ecc83]

$60,000

Is a nice tidy sum but not THAT much in the esoteric world of high end Hi Fi.

A pair pf B&W Nautilus and a Krell 300c, THERE'S $20K gone already and you can pay (if you are that stoopid!) $1000 a pop for cables!

I gave up "hi-fi" some 20yrs ago (been in 'tronics and sound 50yrs) because it has become increasingly silly. IF two amps driving the SAME loudspeaker sound different then there is something WRONG with one of them, or both!

Look to sites such as www.soundonsound.com and www.hifinews.co.uk but I fear even the latter has been invaded by the beardy tweaks.

There is only one valid test of a sound reproducing system, does it sound like the real thing?

Dave.

[gacx]

thanks all... :)