Advice on Audio Card and Speakers

[jima]

I am looking for a high end audio output card for upcoming purchase of Adam S2.5A speakers. The card is only for playback but I want the best card sporting good to high quality DAC's. I work away from home during the week and rent apartments for four to six month durations. Thus my PC becomes my window on the world and audio playback. The speakers are well situated for presenting excellent soundstage and very flat response throughout the frequency range. I want a card that can take advantage of these quality speakers.

Any suggestions would be most welcome. Inputs are not important and neither is multi-channel. Just really great stereo output.

Jim

[Ryan_Sloan]

Hello Jima,

I think you'll really enjoy the Adam monitors. We actually use them in our world class studios at Sweetwater. They are extremely accurate, and I'm sure you'll really enjoy the new level of clarity that they'll bring you.

Now to your question. When it comes to converters I'm sure a lot of people will tell you that Apogee is the first name that comes to mind. Chances are pretty good that most of the things you'll be playing back have gone through an Apogee product before it was released to the public. I know several people that use an Apogee Mini-DAC to get quality conversion right from their computer.

Apogee has a new Firewire based version of the Mini-DAC coming out soon so that would probably be a great option for you. What got you interested in the Adam monitors?

-Ryan

________________________
Ryan Sloan
Sales Engineer
800 222 4700 x 1306

[jima]

Thanks for responding Ryan,

The first time I heard the Adam monitors was at a small studio in Amsterdam several years ago. During my search for a quality monitor, I have been fortunate to review quite a few units from JBL's, Events, M-Audio’s, Dynaudio, Genelec and Mackie and of course Adam. I really liked the Events for their less harsh, almost sweet presentation. The Adam's really impressed me on their mid range - very clean - almost irritability clean and very responsive.

I had not looked into the Apogee product line and will do so.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Jim

[dpd]

If you have an SPDIF output from your PC, you have all kinds of great options. I would add the Benchmark DAC-1 to Ryan's Apogee suggestion.

If you want an internal sound card solution, then take a look at the $499 list LynxOne (http://www.lynxone.com/lynxone.html). You'll get very good A/D and D/A converters for less than either the Apogee or Benchmark. Probably not in the Apogee/Benchmark vein, but these may be the best 'sound cards' available for the PC.

Sweetwater sells Lynx, but I didn't find a link to the LynxOne card - I'd bet they can get one for you if that is what you decide.