The All Purpose Advice Thread

I know the Battlefield series has always had much higher quality audio than say any CoD game. I was amazed at BF4 compared to BF3. Battlefront took audio design to a whole other level. BF1 is basically a reskinned Battlefront, and the sound design is fantastic. Although, I have a much easier time locating people in BF4 with their own HRTF headphone algorithm compared to the same settings in BF1.

I switch back and forth between in game HRTF dsp and Creative SBX both fed coax to Gungnir Multibit->Zana Deux/Freya/Jot. The in game sound is the most accurate and realistic sounding, but struggles with positioning behind you. SBX works very well for positioning but still has some of that reverb type effect a la Dolby, although nowhere near as bad.

I would be fine with Bifrost Multibit, but think Gungnir Multibit is a worthy upgrade. Plus balanced output for future gear is always nice to have.

 

I have been playing with the idea of making a retro speaker setup, I already have a rotel pre-amp and a old denon amp (cannot remember their model names, but they are from mid 80's), what would be a nice pair of old speakers that doesn't break the bank, maybe 250$ or less

 

I would just look for what you can find used near you.
But whats wrong with your Bronze 2's?

 

I've been using a Dragonfly Red with my Project Starlight, but find the volume too high too quickly with the Fostex TH-X00, and there's no gain switch to lessen the output. Fortunately, you can control the volume of the DF Red, but I wonder if that is better to simply turn down the volume in iTunes, particularly in regards to sound quality degradation. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Google the user known as GUTB, seek him, ask him the very question you asked here. He will guide you to the promised land. No, and's, if's, or buts. Hurry, time is wasting, he is a level 39 DAC whisperer.

 

Here's my 2cents on gaming, coming from someone with a Gungnir Multibit>ZDS>HD800/AD2000 at their computer (used to have Mjo2 as well)
For "gaming" do you mean....

Positional accuracy, footsteps, etc... Once you get to the level of an openback with decent stage width plugged into anything, it stops mattering. HD598, AD series, AKG K7 series....etc

Immersive Experience... Big bass and strong highs to be immersed, such as action games, non-competitive...etc. Priorities here are kinda like home theater, loud and bassy. DAC doesn't really matter

Listen to music while gaming, within the game... Well here source components start to matter, but not really. Considering the quality of embedded video game music, are you going to notice the diffrence between Gungnir Multibit/Yggdrasil? Idk, seems like a big flier just for gaming

 

Oh nothing is wrong with my Bronze 2's I LOVE them so much, there might be some that are a bit better for the same price, but the signature is just right so I can enjoy them when I am sensitive, but also when I am "normal". I just have this idea with an old school setup, I think it could be an interesting addition to my setup plus the design of vintage speakers can be quite beautiful.

 

I just googled GUTB and wish I could get that 5 minutes back looking that up on my phone. I apperciate everyone else for the replies and will decide if the Gungnir Multibit is worth it for the music I do listen to. Gaming wise doesn't seem to be worth it compared to the Modi Multibit.

 

Can anyone help with Asus Xonar STX on Win 8.1 installation>?. Bough the card factory refurbished on eBay from a good seller, put it into the right slot, connected power and ...nothing. Win 8.1 device manager does not see the card, the driver installation software does not see the card. Changed slots, power plugs etc.. nothing helps. Is the card just dead or more can be done? Otherwise my PC works fine.

 

Do you see anything in device manager with a yellow warning triangle next to it?

 

Consider listening to (not in-game) music while playing as well. Since, unlike BF and maybe The Witcher 3, most of it is (heavily compressed) not that enjoyable, music. Still i would agree Gungnir Multibit/Yggi would be going way overboard.

Does it have a power on light like my old sound card? Just to know if it's indeed receiving power.

 

No, even when I do scan for hardware changes from the device manager. And Asus driver installer aborts with the message that the card is not found. In the meantime I read that on some systems the card is not recognized or even powered until you disable the on board audio. I will try that after work.

I do not see any light. You mean you had an Essence STX with power on light?

 

One for "am I going mad?" corner.

I had two transformer-coupled amps a few centimetres apart. On of them has been powered down/unplugged from power and signal for a month or two. I moved it from the desk, and the remaining amp sounds a great deal clearer and more lively. Is it possible that the output transformers on the running amp were doing some weird inductive coupling with the inactive amp, which was futzing with the output? Highs sound clearer, attacks sharper, and bass more snappy now.

I don't think it's confirmation bias, as it was a shock to me.. if it is, it's a weird subconscious type!

 

I actually have a Essence STX but I have no board at home to plug it into... Is it still within warranty?

 

Not on warranty but the seller already accepted return. And disabling on board audio did not help either.

 

Consider the Fulla 2. No noise issues with my Monk Plus.

 

No mate, was another model. I tried to find and there no led in that card, so I guess you were without luck. At least you were able to return it