The next level of PC Hi-Fi

[Zero]

The arrival of a new amp, H2O 150 Signature has ushed in a whole new level of PC hi-fi for yours truly. I'm freakin estatic over here. Naturally, I have to share the excitement with you folk here and show some pictures of gear otherwise relatively unknown to this neck of the cyber woods... I'm one very proud pappa.

[Zero]

A few system shots....

[amulford]

PC Hi Fi??? WTF is that?

[Zero]

It has something to do with computers, old man. :p

[audiobliss]

Wow, that's a beasty looking little amp. And that's a big transformer in that pre! Isn't that the one you had in the FM? What speakers are those?

Congrats!!

[Early B.]

That's some serious gear. Impressive.

[heiney9]

I sure don't understand how you can appreciate those speakers and amp combo with the speakers sitting inches from your head, not to mention all the weird harmonics/resonances you will get by having the speaks on a desk/table top, seems like a waste to me. I get some weird resonances with my computer rig because the speaks are sitting on top of a dresser. Mine however are about 5.5 feet in front of me so I get a nice stereo image and the speakers can breathe a bit; stands would really make a difference in my case. They are just way down on the to do list.

My brother has Lsi-7's sitting on his computer table inches in front of him and I always tell him what a waste of a speaker it is to have them set up like that. They sound less than spectacular. It's like buying a Ferarri to drive forward and backward in your 10 foot driveway.

Just my .02c in case you wanted it.

H9

[jhermance]

Those speakers look like Totem Model 1's if i am right those are are nice set of speakers for a pc setup. If you ever want to get rid of them let me know i am in the market for a set of totem's.

[Zero]

It’s pretty funny, when I saw your name had posted in this thread H9 – I already knew exactly what you were going to say. You didn’t disappoint me. Heh.

The limitations encountered by ultra near-field listening, not to mention the very close proximities of nearby walls create problems, as you mention. Why its issues are more obvious, I rarely come across anyone who has the ideal situation for their system. This system in particular has been built to last me a long – long time. In other words, it will see many different rooms and potentially homes. I spend more time than I should behind this screen, so its not too surprising that I take the system hooked up to it very seriously

I also enjoy the many benefits of near-field listening. I am not trying to re-create live sound, or the full body of a performance or performer. That’s for my other system to handle. This is to take near-field listening to the fullest potential I can afford. While I have odd resonances at mid-low bands, the speakers handle things incredibly well and the sound from the drivers hit my ears before reflections.

This type of system is not for everyone. I am sure you and others will still feel this is a complete waste of equipment. In that case, just be glad its not your money. I can say – with bias – that this system is already much better sounding than most conventional rig’s I’ve come across. That’s good enough for me.

[Zero]

The speakers are from Stone Image Audio. They are called the Rothschilde A2's. The boys at Stone Image are class acts and make exceptional products.. be it speakers or wire.

I know of only one affordable compact monitor in the same ball-park as the A2... and thats the Dynaudio Focus 110. As it turns out, Jimmy (from Stone Image) considers the new Focus 110 and 140 as one of his top 5 favorite monitors. They are ridiculous for the money. The A2's, in my opinion - are better - for less. The Totem Model 1 Sig is out of its league here. Nothing against Totem - I love the company and have ran a pair of Sttafs for years. They are never leaving my posession.

If you are interested Jhermance, I can put you in contact with Jimmy from Stone Image. I am sure they can do something for ya. I will give you a hint; the retail on these monitors is not much above the average used price for a pair of model 1 sigs. PM me if interested.

[heiney9]

I was partly busting your chops. Nice rig, set-up in an unconventional way with a few limitations. Glad you enjoy it that's what it's all about. Me, I'd be annoyed at the set-up, but of course I've never heard it so until I do, I'll work on my perceived assumptions. I still bust my bro's chops every chance I get. ;)

I totally get where you are coming from in spending mucho time on the computer so a nice system is essential.

Rock on

H9

[Zero]

H9,

It's all good man. I wanted to post a longish response because I know the points you raised are no doubt shared by others. Man, if only I knew many moons ago that getting hooked on the PC would cost me THIS much. Yikes!

[joeparaski]

Way to go Zero! Overkill is the way to go, like you said, ya never know when you're gonna change the setup...plus, it looks cool.

Joe

[faster100]

pc and HI-fi don't belong in the same sentence..

so how long is this gear on loan for? :D or when will we see it in the flea market next? :D :)

Im on the computer for hours and hours a day and never found a need for a rig like this, however it does look cool.. ;)

[Zero]

Cliff,

I'd put a well executed PC desk-top with good hardware (dac or soundcard) against many very pricey and highly esteemed cd-players and transport / dac combo's. If it didn't have that much potential - I wouldn't have even bothered in the first place.

[F1nut]

Still beating that dead horse I see.

It does look nice, though.

[danger boy]

The arrival of a new amp, H2O 150 Signature has ushed in a whole new level of PC hi-fi for yours truly. I'm freakin estatic over here. Naturally, I have to share the excitement with you folk here and show some pictures of gear otherwise relatively unknown to this neck of the cyber woods... I'm one very proud pappa.

Wow! very nice... what are the specs on that huge amp?

[danger boy]

I sure don't understand how you can appreciate those speakers and amp combo with the speakers sitting inches from your head, not to mention all the weird harmonics/resonances you will get by having the speaks on a desk/table top, seems like a waste to me. I get some weird resonances with my computer rig because the speaks are sitting on top of a dresser. Mine however are about 5.5 feet in front of me so I get a nice stereo image and the speakers can breathe a bit; stands would really make a difference in my case. They are just way down on the to do list.

My brother has Lsi-7's sitting on his computer table inches in front of him and I always tell him what a waste of a speaker it is to have them set up like that. They sound less than spectacular. It's like buying a Ferarri to drive forward and backward in your 10 foot driveway.

Just my .02c in case you wanted it.

H9



I have my set up on my computer about the same distance.. my speakers are Speakerlabs bookeshelves.. about the same size as a pair of RT55i's. all hooked up to vintage Pioneer and Yamaha gear. Sounds pretty dang good to me. certainly much better than any computer speakers on the market.

The stereo imaging may not be as good as if I were sitting 8 or 10 feet back.. but it's not to bad let me tell ya. ;)

[dorokusai]

I sure don't understand how you can appreciate those speakers and amp combo with the speakers sitting inches from your head, not to mention all the weird harmonics/resonances you will get by having the speaks on a desk/table top, seems like a waste to me. I get some weird resonances with my computer rig because the speaks are sitting on top of a dresser. Mine however are about 5.5 feet in front of me so I get a nice stereo image and the speakers can breathe a bit; stands would really make a difference in my case. They are just way down on the to do list.

My brother has Lsi-7's sitting on his computer table inches in front of him and I always tell him what a waste of a speaker it is to have them set up like that. They sound less than spectacular. It's like buying a Ferarri to drive forward and backward in your 10 foot driveway.

Just my .02c in case you wanted it.

H9

It's all about nearfield experience. You don't have to be in a equidistant triangle, or some bullshit measurement, to experience high quality sound reproduction.

[Zero]

Thanks for the comments, boys.

Danger - I don't have anything on paper to go by, but its a powerhouse. Its two transformers total up the capability to output 1 kw. Henry has this particular unit set up for 150 wpc into 8 ohms, 300 into 4. Each channel has 200,000 micro farrets of capacitance. 500 total. This thing also has two smaller power supplies for the output stage of the amp.

This amplifier can drive damn near any speaker in existance, even the vaunted Apogee Scintilla (most mid-late models being 1 ohm).

[VR3]

I think one of the coolest experiences I had was at my store when I sat down infront of those Behringers and listened to music...

It wasnt the best sound I ever heard - but the imaging the Behringers put on the table at 1-2 feet was amazing. I kid you not, at one point it felt like the rapper in the song was talking in my ear - just amazing.

Sean,
Those amps are beastly, as is the preamp. Like I told you before, I give it 2 weeks... MAX - Congrats.

[Early B.]

Nothing wrong with extreme nearfield listening. The most extreme form is the use of headphones. I also don't doubt for a moment that a nice computer rig can sound great.

Enjoy your sh*t, Zero, you crazy mofo.:eek:

[heiney9]

It's all about nearfield experience. You don't have to be in a equidistant triangle, or some bullshit measurement, to experience high quality sound reproduction.

I agree to a certain extent, but near field to me is a bit more than 6-8 inches. I do have some near field listening experiences and while it's not really my preferred method I will say it does sound different, not in a bad way, just different. However it just sounds less realistic. I'm used to the scale of a performance and the nuances and spatial cues, that's what's defintely missing in the near field especially when you have only 6-8" distance.

No doubt the amp and pre are killer, IMO overkill and a bit of a waste for the application at this time.

H9

[zombie boy 2000]

Impressive set-up Sean! Congrats.. Now how does it sound?:)

[Joey_V]

Nice Sean (got to return your calls sometime soon, been very busy with school, sorry!)!

Now, it's still not as killer as when I had the Summits hooked to the PC... :p .

Though I bet it gives my current setup of Rotel RC1070 -> Rotel RB1090 -> Polk LSi9 a good run for its money.:D

H9,
The thing about PC speakers ISNT that you're trying to recreate a musical event, heck most people here with ht or 2ch system dont even have the room or have the speakers laid out that is conducive to this.... the point of PC audio is simply so that when you're on your PC, you can have a good time with anything audio related - whether its some downloaded movies, games, or music.

For those of us who spend more time on the 'puter than anywhere else, it's best to have a good PC audio system.

[BionicSniper]

Very Nice.

What sound card are you using?

I just went from some old creative gd580 system to 4xr15's a csi25 and a 10" sub with a pioneer vsx-516 receiver. And I'm using a HDA X-Plosion sound card.
All my music is lossless or wav and it sounds very good

[Zero]

Sid,

Two weeks huh. Screw you, hippy. :p

Zombie Boy,

Amp is still breaking in - the systems not done yet, but almost . almost.. sounds great so far.

Joey,

You would love this amp. It was made to drive boxless speakers (in a bit of a different league than ML :p ).

Systems with a PC for a front end is becoming a tad more commonplace with those who have tried it with good results. Still, for general multi media purposes... there is someone from audiokarma who uses the summits along with some pretty beastin' electronics for his 'puter rig. His HT? Oh, just big arse wilsons. 2-channel? Avantgarde duo's.. nothing special at all. Must be nice.

Bionic,

Right now I am still flying with a stock E-mu 1212M. It's analog section is pretty good, although I was less than impressed with its digital outs. In the upcoming months, it will finally be replaced with a Scott Nixon USB Tube Dac.

The E-Mu has served me very well and has given me extremely solid performance.

[audiobliss]

The E-Mu has served me very well and has given me extremely solid performance.
Would you be getting rid of it?

[Zero]

Thats a rgr kiddo

[SKsolutions]

I haven't looked at the SNR of a soundcard in quite some time, but last I checked the specs looked ghastly. I hope they have improved in noise rejection and crosstalk, because those Amps look like they could liquify your cortex.

Short poll:

Micro-farret. . . . .mammal or rodent?