Any PC Builders Out There?

Creative has always had issues as long as I can remember. I'll try the onboard audio first. The toslink connection is the only thing that has kept the z5500's alive over the years.

The best sound quality I had from them was with this card many, many years ago.

https://support.creative.com/Produc...prodName=X-Fi+XtremeGamer+Fatal1ty+Pro+Series

I was hoping to recreate a similar audio experience on the new build.

 

Z5500's are pretty dynamic speakers for what they are, but they're still just computer speakers. It's like trying to get HP/TQ out of an old 1st Gen Tacoma with only bolt-ons (no forced induction).

So really, I doubt you'll hear any difference using the analog inputs with the use of a premium soundcard with a good DAC versus just using the optical output of your motherboard.

But here's another thing, if you've been using your Z5500's via digital connection already, you will get the same exact sound quality with your new motherboard because you are still using the Logitech's own DAC.

 

IMO, that old creative sound card really brought the z5500's to life. I could turn them up as loud as I wanted, they'd never distort and the quality of the audio was incredible for the price point.

I've used them briefly with a toslink cable connected to a tv and tried to find a suitable connection for a MacBook Pro, but the audio quality just wasn't the same. They been stored in a box for years. I should probably get rid of them.

My ears are audio snobs. I like high end audio (tube amplifiers, McIntosh, ect) with DSP/DAC correction.

 

Sounds like you just need a dedicated 2-channel setup.

You are not going to get that from any Logitech speakers.

Want to treat your ears to something compact, yet really beautiful sounding for a little?

A Peachtree Decco (or Nova if you want to spend a little more) with some older Polk LSI7's and you'll have an extremely hard to beat setup easily for less than $1k.

 

Maybe a brand you like? Last 3-4 I've had don't have it.

 

I'm a fan of Polk. I have Polk Reserves (R700, R400, R200) for a home theater setup.

 

Naw, I'm no brand snob at least not with PC stuff.

The three I still own all have digital out, and they're each different brands and time periods. 2008, 2013, and 2023 respectively -



My 2015 build did as well but I gave that one away so no picture of it.

 

Treat yourself to some SDA's.

Use to have several different types, and you can mod them to sound even better.

If you do get yourself a set, let me know what ones and I can scan for you full wiring schematics, part numbers, etc.

Used to have a foot in the door with Polk years back and so I've got a ton of old school goodies still.

 

Audiophilia is highly effective at erasing money.

The market is oversaturated lots of REALLY good speakers. I just want to try everything but not own them.

 

That's a huge understatement

We can't forget about the classics though!

 

Lol, that's why I settled for polk reserves.

 

Sorry for deviating but a little nerding out cause SDAs have a huge cult following

 

My wife may have started something. She got me the Fear Inoculum vinyl set and a turntable for Christmas. Nothing fancy, but functional. That's when I picked up the new audio headphones. Vinyl is just -- immersive.

 

Now if some 9800X3Ds could come in stock in Canada, that would be great...

 

Not really. Did the "buy once - cry once" with my 4090 & that was @ msrp.
Care not to cry again....
Crazy how deep the rabbit hole of PC gaming can get.

 

Now we’re Talkin’. Just setting up my 1st NAS. Still Lovin’ vinyl.

 

5000 is an ez skip if you're already on a high end 4000 card, most people don't even have 4k monitors at this point anyway. The PC market will take your soul if you buy into all the hype cycle. 600W for the 5090 sounds ridiculous , i'll be shootin for a 5080 at most this time.

 

Out of curiosity, if you got a 5080, what would it replace?

It's interesting reading some of the comments on these "benchmark" videos and such with some claiming they're still running an RX570 or GTX1070

Then again, 1080P is still used in single monitor setups for over 56% of Steam users

 

I just upgraded to 9800x3d but still rocking a 3080 on a 38" ultrawide.

 

I can still hear the roar of my old 3080