Soundstorm and headphones.....upgrade?

[bigben]

If you only have one output hole (like onboard sound normally does), you can connect that ouput to a R/L input on a receiver with a Y cable you can get at Radioshack - you can get them in many different lengths, too, so connectivity shouldn't be a problem. This is probably the cheapest and easiest solution to getting more power to your cans.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: Skiguy411
I will see if I can try putting my reciever with my computer, but it ant gonna be easy.

Also, I was looking at the Audigy 2 ZS and it says it has 6.1. However, there is no Coax output. How would you go about connecting the digital output to a reciever digitally.

All Audigy and Live models feature coaxial SPDIF output. The Live Value probably lacks a jack but does have on-board pins which a DIY cable can be connected to or a bracket can be purchased. Hoontech offers a bracket & module to add both coaxial and optical jacks for $10.

The Audigy 2 ZS SPDIF output in the form of a dedicated mini-RCA jack. To connect betwixt it and a receiver, use an adapter like this and a common RCA coaxial video cable (usually having yellow color coded plugs).

Another method is to use "F" adapters like this and this with coaxial "cable TV" RG59 or RG6 cable because it is cheap and easy to use pre-existing ones you have on hand or even make your own lengths (particularly for long runs).

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

I think some Hercules/Santa Cruz sound cards have amps built in to their headphone jacks. I know the Foritssimo II did, not sure about any more recent cards.

 

[Skiguy411]

Alright so it looks like I'm going to get the Audigy 2 ZS. Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[Skiguy411]

Originally posted by: rbV5

Is there a way to adjust the bass and treble on the Soundstorm?

Have you tried adjusting the settings in the NForce control panel at all (for the soundstorm)? btw, the digital output of Soundstorm is excellent.

I didnt see in the control pannel where you could adjust bass and treble. I tried messing around with the equilizer, which helped some, but still didnt sound good at all.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Skiguy411

Originally posted by: rbV5

Is there a way to adjust the bass and treble on the Soundstorm?

Have you tried adjusting the settings in the NForce control panel at all (for the soundstorm)? btw, the digital output of Soundstorm is excellent.

I didnt see in the control pannel where you could adjust bass and treble. I tried messing around with the equilizer, which helped some, but still didnt sound good at all.

I believe the LFE slider controls bass.

 

[SXMP]

Originally posted by: rbV5

Is there a way to adjust the bass and treble on the Soundstorm?

Have you tried adjusting the settings in the NForce control panel at all (for the soundstorm)? btw, the digital output of Soundstorm is excellent.

For onboard sound: I'd agree. Tons better than any others.

But for real quality: Don't think so bud. Get a real soundcard and a real set of headphones or speakers and you'll see what I mean.

 

[vtqanh]

Originally posted by: SXMP

Originally posted by: rbV5

Is there a way to adjust the bass and treble on the Soundstorm?

Have you tried adjusting the settings in the NForce control panel at all (for the soundstorm)?<STRONG> btw, the digital output of Soundstorm is excellent</STRONG>.

For onboard sound: I'd agree. Tons better than any others.

But for real quality: Don't think so bud. Get a real soundcard and a real set of headphones or speakers and you'll see what I mean.

Real quality? Hookup the digital output of soundstorm to a 5.1 receiver with a set of home theatre speaker and you will have real quality. The soundstorm is the only thing that can send encoded 5.1 throught digital output as of now

 

[SXMP]

I hate to bring this thread back up, but I think it is worth mentioning, as I missed the last comment by vtqhan:

"Real quality? Hookup the digital output of soundstorm to a 5.1 receiver with a set of home theatre speaker and you will have real quality. The soundstorm is the only thing that can send encoded 5.1 throught digital output as of now "

Haha.

First, I have heard the soundstorm digitally hooked up with a Sony 5.1 reciever, Pioneer 5.1 reciever, both digitally. Those recievers have been connected to a sony 5.1 speaker set, a set of Sony 3 way bookshelf speakers. They have powered my Senn hd280s and mx300's. The sound is good, but not great. But that isn't the issue. The issue is that Soundstorm does "encode" as you say 5.1 sound through digital. Basically, it screws up all the amazing qualites of the audio and converts it to its own spec. Not to mention many people have problems with the digial audio out "skipping" every 10-15minutes or so.

As added reading, I encourage to check out www.head-fi.org probably the definative source on headphones. Also check out this thread: headfi Look at people's audio setups, notice the high number of people with M-audio solutions? There's a reason for that.