Considering going Receiver Less...

[jinjuku]

I am seriously considering getting dumping my 1015TX and going with the
ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132008).

As some of you know I use an HTPC, currently my receiver is doing nothing other than driving the surrounds and decode work.

The specs on the Xonar DAC's are as follows:

Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):
Up to 120 dB for all channels dB dB
Output THD+N at 1kHz:
Up to 0.0004% (-108dB)
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input):
<10Hz to 46kHz
Sample Rate Conversion Quality:
Almost lossless, high-fidelity floating-point filters, with:
-140dB THD+N (typical value for 44.1K->48KHz, 24bit)
145dB Dynamic Range (typical value for 44.1K->48KHz, 24bit)

and

Audio Processor:
ASUS AV200 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192KHz/24bit)
24-bit D-A Converter of Digital Sources:
TI Burr-Brown PCM1796 *4 (123dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)
24-bit A-D Converter for Analog Inputs:
Cirrus-Logic CS5381* 1 (120dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)

Any comments or do you know of any 'phile that is currently using one?

Thx in advance.

[Nemo128]

What is your HTPC UI? Media Center, MythTV, TMT, XBMC, Sage, JRiver, etc. ?

[jinjuku]

What is your HTPC UI? Media Center, MythTV, TMT, XBMC, Sage, JRiver, etc. ?

Vista MCE with My Movie and My Netflix Plug in's. I have a 1.5 TB of storage. Going HDMI straight to the TV and TOSLink to My Pioneer 1015TX receiver. The receiver is pre-pro for the L/C/R with two Behringer A500's and using the Pioneer for surround duty.

I figure with this card, if I can dump the Pioneer, I could get enough $$ for a third A500.

* The only problem is if I can't do headphones.

[lsiberian]

I am seriously considering getting dumping my 1015TX and going with the
ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132008).

As some of you know I use an HTPC, currently my receiver is doing nothing other than driving the surrounds and decode work.

The specs on the Xonar DAC's are as follows:

Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):
Up to 120 dB for all channels dB dB
Output THD+N at 1kHz:
Up to 0.0004% (-108dB)
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input):
<10Hz to 46kHz
Sample Rate Conversion Quality:
Almost lossless, high-fidelity floating-point filters, with:
-140dB THD+N (typical value for 44.1K->48KHz, 24bit)
145dB Dynamic Range (typical value for 44.1K->48KHz, 24bit)

and

Audio Processor:
ASUS AV200 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192KHz/24bit)
24-bit D-A Converter of Digital Sources:
TI Burr-Brown PCM1796 *4 (123dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)
24-bit A-D Converter for Analog Inputs:
Cirrus-Logic CS5381* 1 (120dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)

Any comments or do you know of any 'phile that is currently using one?

Thx in advance.

Dude you are gonna make me get the Build my own computer bug again. I bet I could make a sick Pre-pro. with built in Blu-ray and a TV Tuner.

I could build something so sick with the right budget. :D

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Okay, so the HTPC can be the processor, but what about the preamp and amp?

I guess if you had some integrated amps, it would work.

But you would need a preamp if you only had the amps.

Unless those amps had volume knobs?

[jinjuku]

Okay, so the HTPC can be the processor, but what about the preamp and amp?

I guess if you had some integrated amps, it would work.

But you would need a preamp if you only had the amps.

Unless those amps had volume knobs?

The Xonar is a pre-amp. They even have 10 bands of EQ if you so choose. I don't think that it has a room correction routine however, so for 5.x or 7.x you are left to manually EQ for room conditions. You simply control volume from the computer.

My HTPC already has HDTV (OTA) and FM tuning plus CATV (un-encrypted QAM). Along with My Netflix and RSS news feed for integration of Hulu.

Boxee used to support Hulu until NBC/Fox put the kabosh on them. Cmon' big networks, get your butt into the 21st century. Still bothers me to no end that MS doesn't have a Netflix plug in for MCE.

[lsiberian]

Okay, so the HTPC can be the processor, but what about the preamp and amp?

I guess if you had some integrated amps, it would work.

But you would need a preamp if you only had the amps.

Unless those amps had volume knobs?

You do realize a receiver is basically a computer slapped together with an amp section. Anything a receiver can do can be done by a computer if you have the right chips and software. Oh I could use some good chips right now. I'm a bit hungry. Heading to lunch.

[jinjuku]

Okay, so the HTPC can be the processor, but what about the preamp and amp?


Sorry,

You'll have to forgive me. I know a lot of people have a bunch of different sources (X-Box, PS3, dvd players etc...).

My setup is all concentrated on a single PC. My A/V material is jukebox style so that takes care of a DVD and CD player, My Tuners are handled via USB plug in devices (OTA/Cable/FM), and my gaming (don't do much) is handled be cause it is a PC.

So my approach won't work for others, but it will work for me. Getting rid of the receiver would be a huge chunk of equipment out of the way. With the included 10 bands of EQ, well if I ever needed more than that then there is something seriously wrong with my listening environment.

I have to do some reading up on the environmental audio controls and see what tweaking can be done.

[lsiberian]

Sorry,

You'll have to forgive me. I know a lot of people have a bunch of different sources (X-Box, PS3, dvd players etc...).

My setup is all concentrated on a single PC. My A/V material is jukebox style so that takes care of a DVD and CD player, My Tuners are handled via USB plug in devices (OTA/Cable/FM), and my gaming (don't do much) is handled be cause it is a PC.

So my approach won't work for others, but it will work for me. Getting rid of the receiver would be a huge chunk of equipment out of the way. With the included 10 bands of EQ, well if I ever needed more than that then there is something seriously wrong with my listening environment.

I have to do some reading up on the environmental audio controls and see what tweaking can be done.

Personally I like the topic. Gets me thinking about possibilities.

Thank you for stirring my ideas for another DIY project.:D

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, I love this topic too.:D

I don't see anything wrong with using just one source.

So the Xonar has the 7.1 Analog Outputs for connecting to the Amp.

HTPC:
CD - check
SACD-hybrid - check
DVD-Audio w/ PowerDVD8/9 - check
Blu-ray/ HD DVD/ DVD - check
TV - check
Radio - check

It's pretty much all there.:D

[Matt34]

How will bass-management be handled?

[jinjuku]

This should explain all:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3465737453_85710516d1_o.png

There is a bus connector on both cards that is tied together via a ribbon cable.

[jinjuku]

How will bass-management be handled?

Several ways:

1. There is bass management provided by the card itself called flex bass (http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=2385&l1=25&l2=150&l3=0&l4=0). Now I don't know how good it is, but considering the effort ASUS has put into this I would hope that it would at least be 'service-able'.

2. You could run an external x-over/eq.

There is a built in 10 band EQ. Trying to get more detail. Here (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article913-page1.html) is a fairly good and recent review (warts and all).

[lsiberian]

This should explain all:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3465737453_85710516d1_o.png

There is a bus connector on both cards that is tied together via a ribbon cable.

That's a beautiful piece of equipment. With Asus reputation I imagine it's solid.

[Alex2507]

I'm considering going speaker less. :D

Sorry, I've been wanting to post that since the beginning of the thread. I have nothing to contribute. :o

[lsiberian]

I'm considering going speaker less. :D

Sorry, I've been wanting to post that since the beginning of the thread. I have nothing to contribute. :o

I'll PM you my address to help with this endeavor I'll even pay for shipping.:D

[jinjuku]

I'll PM you my address to help with this endeavor I'll even pay for shipping.:D

Good one...lol

[jinjuku]

I'm considering going speaker less. :D

I have nothing to contribute. :o

Don't worry, we're used to it...:D

[biz97]

This is similar to those who are/want to run a squeezebox 3 straight into an amp. The only time there is cause for concern is if there is no gain control on the amps themselves. This could be an issue if you run into any driver/software bugs that change your volume control accidently. Something like having the PC volume at 100 percent w/ no other volume limiters in place may cause damage to your speakers. If I remember correctly though, the A500s do have gain control. I'd suggest you simply set them to the highest you'd ever want to listen to w/ the pc volume at 100 percent. Then use the PC to control your volume from there on out. And if by some chance the volume is accidently maxed, your gear is still safe. Should work just fine ;)

[AcuDefTechGuy]

This is similar to those who are/want to run a squeezebox 3 straight into an amp. The only time there is cause for concern is if there is no gain control on the amps themselves. This could be an issue if you run into any driver/software bugs that change your volume control accidently. Something like having the PC volume at 100 percent w/ no other volume limiters in place may cause damage to your speakers. If I remember correctly though, the A500s do have gain control. I'd suggest you simply set them to the highest you'd ever want to listen to w/ the pc volume at 100 percent. Then use the PC to control your volume from there on out. And if by some chance the volume is accidently maxed, your gear is still safe. Should work just fine ;)

That makes perfect sense.

I agree.

If your amp (like most amps) don't have gain control, and your PC accidentally defaults back to 100% Volume (computer glitch or whatever), you are screwed.:D

Now I see the coolness of amps that have gain controls.

[agarwalro]

Dude you are gonna make me get the Build my own computer bug again. I bet I could make a sick Pre-pro. with built in Blu-ray and a TV Tuner.

I could build something so sick with the right budget. :DSame here! I have been putting off the urge for a while.

[quicke60]

That makes perfect sense.

I agree.

If your amp (like most amps) don't have gain control, and your PC accidentally defaults back to 100% Volume (computer glitch or whatever), you are screwed.:D

Now I see the coolness of amps that have gain controls.

While that makes logical sense, I've never actually had a glitch push output to 100% before - have you? Just wondering

[jinjuku]

While that makes logical sense, I've never actually had a glitch push output to 100% before - have you? Just wondering

I doubt that would be a problem also. There is a limit that the audio out is going to hit no matter what the volume slider is at.

[lsiberian]

That makes perfect sense.

I agree.

If your amp (like most amps) don't have gain control, and your PC accidentally defaults back to 100% Volume (computer glitch or whatever), you are screwed.:D

Now I see the coolness of amps that have gain controls.

LOL. Not if you got good enough speakers. :)

[lsiberian]

While that makes logical sense, I've never actually had a glitch push output to 100% before - have you? Just wondering

It's happened to me with my head phones. Yikes that hurt.

[Patrick_Wolf]

Noob question: What type of unit(s) would you need to connect the sound card and speakers/sub to?

[jinjuku]

Noob question: What type of unit(s) would you need to connect the sound card and speakers/sub to?

You would need a multichannel amp. The sub will have it's own amplification.

Some examples of multichannel amps:

NAD T955 (http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/T955.asp?gclid=CKvt_7n7gJoCFSAgDQodm1OTGA)

Emotive XPA-5 (http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm)

Rotel RMB 1085 (http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/ProductDetails.htm?Id=468&Tab=1&Pic=1)

Other manufacturers:

Parasound, B&K, Adcom... and others.

[sawzalot]

You would need a multichannel amp. The sub will have it's own amplification.

Some examples of multichannel amps:

NAD T955 (http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/T955.asp?gclid=CKvt_7n7gJoCFSAgDQodm1OTGA)

Emotive XPA-5 (http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm)

Rotel RMB 1085 (http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/ProductDetails.htm?Id=468&Tab=1&Pic=1)

Other manufacturers:

Parasound, B&K, Adcom... and others.

I like the XPA-5 for this setup besides it would leave you extra money to use elsewhere and still give you an awesome amp.

[lsiberian]

Noob question: What type of unit(s) would you need to connect the sound card and speakers/sub to?

This depends on a lot of factors.

But the XpA-5 is nice.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

While that makes logical sense, I've never actually had a glitch push output to 100% before - have you? Just wondering

Yes, it happened to me SEVERAL times on BOTH my HP Pavilion BD Laptop and on my Custom AMD desktop, both are hooked via HDMI.

Maybe the HDMI has something to do with it?

[jinjuku]

This depends on a lot of factors.

But the XpA-5 is nice.

You will hate me for saying this but I have seen the Richard Marsh designed Monster 5150 5 channel amps NIB (new in box) on ebay for ~$1000.

That is damned tempting. The slew rate on these is 70v uSec and dampening factor is 600. It's a nice amp, has VU meter for each channel along with a gain knob for each channel. That would tempt me to spend the extra $200 or so.

I know that slew and dampening factor hits a point of diminishing returns, but that is a lot of attention to detail.