Audigy 2 ZS + HT Setup

Autor

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fzkl
Neuling

#1 erstellt: 27. Apr 2005, 03:10

Hi all,

I have a Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS soundcard in my computer and want to setup a HT that will connect to my computer. I am not interested in any of the computer speaker solutions normally given and am looking to have an A/V receiver with a 5.1 setup.

I have looked for information on the net and found that the Onkyo HT240 along with the TX SR502 is a very good combo. I stay in bangalore and would like to know if these are available here and if they are then what their cost is (an approximate estimate).

Also, can anyone recommend a shop in bangalore where these or good alternative systems can be purchased. I was looking at budget of around 50k for the a/v receiver and the 5.1 speakers.

alternatively I was thinking that for the same 50K I will get a good a/v receiver, 2 floor standing speakers and a subwoofer ( and add center, and surround speakers later on.). in this case what would be the best recommendation for my budget.

Thanks in advance.

abhi.pani
Inventar

#2 erstellt: 27. Apr 2005, 05:46

Man, the second option is better but would be too tight for your budget. If you keep 35k for a floorstander + sub-woofer then you just remain with around 15k for AV reciever.....In that budget you have too little choices...may be a Yamaha RXV350/RXV450, Sonodyne AVR, Sony AVR (didnt find it up to the mark), can try a Onkyo also but I doubt....you can also look for stuffs without bills or from the Grey Market then you can get better products but warranty is doubtful !!!!

Though this would be tight but I would still suggest you to go this way because at 50k even if you try to get a Sub-Satt package with AVR, you would be getting the same entry level AVRs with Entry level subs + satt combo then why not go for seperates !!!!

So if you are thinking of expanding your current system in future then should try and go for the FloorStander way.....
People may suggest you some good bookshelves in your budget, should also try them.

Jeeves
Stammgast

#3 erstellt: 27. Apr 2005, 11:11

I believe KEF has a decent HT system for approx 50k. Pl check with Prithvi.

fzkl
Neuling

#4 erstellt: 27. Apr 2005, 11:15

I have rethought my plans and now am thinking to get just an av receiver and a pair of floors standers to start with. i will add more later on. do you think 50k is a good amounnt for a decent floor stander and an amp, what do u suggest?

abhi.pani
Inventar

#5 erstellt: 27. Apr 2005, 12:08

Ok, since you have decided to go for Floorstander + AVR, I can suggest you the following options:

Speakers:

Wharfdale Diamond 8.4 (22k)
Polk Audio Monitor60 (24k)
Sonodyne Sonus 2605 (22k)
Dali Blue 3003 (28k)
Wharfdale Diamond 9.5 (29k)
Acoustics Energy Evo3 (32k)
Polk Audio Monitor70 (33k)
Jamo E series (25k - 35k)

AVRs:
Yamaha RXV350/450/650 (15k/17k/26k)
Onkyo SR series (within 30k)
Harmon Kardon AVR130/230 (26k/32k)
Denon 1405/1605/1705 (20k/24k/28k)
Marantz 4400/4500/5400 (24k/26k/34k) (All the Marantz prices are without bills but from the dealer and according to me it is the best sounding AVR from the lot).

Now you have mix and match them according to your auditions and budget. You can avoid Jamo if you want, they are not known for entry level speakers.
Try Wharfdale, Polk, Acoustics Energy and Sonodyne.
Similarly you can avoid Onkyo AVRs, because they dont offer as much VFM and quality at the entry level as their counterparts.

fzkl
Neuling

#6 erstellt: 28. Apr 2005, 01:38

That was exhaustive and to the point. Thanx a ton.

abhi.pani
Inventar

#7 erstellt: 28. Apr 2005, 06:27

ENJOY MAADI !!!! I mean enjoy your journey Man !!!

Let us know what suits your ears best....

fzkl
Neuling

#8 erstellt: 28. Apr 2005, 11:43

I am new to B'lore and dont know all the places here. I went to profx. The guy there had the Denon 1705 for 25k. Do you think thats a good price? Also, what are the places you suggest that I check out?

Sonic_Master
Stammgast

#9 erstellt: 29. Apr 2005, 05:41

hey hey the most important thing is that the kind of DACs that are used in the AUDIGY 2ZS is far superior than the one that are used the any AV receiver. so the best for you bucks is that...get multichannel amplifiers and use your audigy cards analog outputs ( which are gold plated) excellent and then go with the good surround speakers

I am sure that you will definitely get the quality of a system worth 1.5lakhs

Coz see the specs and the quality of DACs they are very highend...
Ok tell me one thing which AV receiver will give a signal to noise ratio SNR of 108 db!!!!!!! very outstanding figure where the quality is as much as what you use in the studios.

thats why the audigy is used for even recording purposes...

One more thing is that if you want best sound from your pc then do this..

If you go for other av receiver then you will not get these features...

One more important things is that audigy 2 supports upto 7.1 channel and as well as for games you will get even EAX 3 etc etc etc... lots of things... the quality is very good just do that..

One fact is that the thing what AV receiver does is done completely in PC which is far far superior than the av receiver.

Do this practical test :

Get a good amplifier and attach 2 audiophile quality speakers and then check them with your sound card analog output.. you will be amazed ( if you have good amp and speakers )

I have a complete package for this application...

complete amps with the speakers

its config:
surround speakers with the following specs:
6.5 inch midbass with 1 inch softdome tweeter( these are imported from europe )

40 watts RMS (nominal) with
150watts RMS for longterm power
350watts RMS for short tem power

with 12" subwoofer powered 300watts RMS with double stacked 155 magnets.( very powerful sub becoz of its double stacked magnet structure)

Its all about the order If you want to know more then you can mail me to smartdeep21@yahoo.com

I can send you the pics of this speaker by tomorrow evening
subwoofer pic it needs some more time.

mail me for further more details

best regards,
Sandeep

Sonic_Master
Stammgast

#10 erstellt: 29. Apr 2005, 09:56

one thing i want to tell you that...

general AV receivers like onkyo, teac etc...

the classabanca or rotels or anthems are far far superior and they are the best ( upto the extent that i know )

Sonic_Master
Stammgast

#11 erstellt: 29. Apr 2005, 09:59

the audigy cards never come close to the not even far to the quality of classabanca or anthem processors ...

so what I have said in the above detail explanation is that the thing what you are already getting good surround processing on the card itself.. so why to spend more money on the AV receiver which does the same thing as the card but with power amps inbuilt.. thats it even they are not good power amps...

so get external amps or my complete package and use ur true potential of your card..

Best of luck...

ravi
Ist häufiger hier

#12 erstellt: 02. Mai 2005, 19:14

Audigy has a better DAC than run of the mill sound cards. But it does not ever deliver 108dB of SNR. Sandeep, the DAC used in Audigy 2 has a spec of 108dB SNR (CS4382 - Cirrus Logic) - but the SNR of the card itself is dependent on a lot of other factors - it measures min 102dB (A-weighted) in practice for front and rear and less than 90dB for other channels. Compare this to Denon 3802 (using PCM1791 DAC) which has min 102dB for all channels.
But yes, if you already have an Audigy 2 card, makes sense to skip the AVR and use power amps, if you have not other use for AVR.

Sonic_Master
Stammgast

#13 erstellt: 10. Mai 2005, 08:39

yes ravi you are right... rated specs are very diff than the quoted ones...

thats what I have suggested to him he said that He has a audigy card and so I said to go for just amps and speakers... thats it...