This is it – the conclusion. I finally put together all the recommendations that I have received over the last few days. I am posting this reply in all the forums I have gotten decent response:
Sound Cards:
1. E-MU 0404 – $99.95
2. E-MU 1212M – $199.95
3. M-Audio Audiophile 192 - $199.95
4. M-Audio Audiophile 2496 - $129.95
5. M-Audio 5.1 Revolution – $79.95
Speakers with integrated amps:
1. Swan M200 (two speakers) – $189.95
2. Wharfedale Diamond 8.2 Monitors (two speakers) – $338.95
3. Cambridge SoundWorks S300 (a pair) - $259 (from ebay)
4. M-Audio Studio Pro 4 (a pair) – $199.95 http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...Pro4-main.html
5. Alesis M-1 Active 520 (a pair) - $299.00
6. Denon (I guess any model)
7. Rotel (again any model)
Some of the prices are MSRP and can be gained for lower bargain. Here are all the forums that made useful contributions (IÂ’m listing them for cross-referencing):
http://www.techist.com/showthrea...pagen umber=1
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=183225
http://forums.audioreview.com/showthread.php?t=17953
http://www.audioforums.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=14376
http://forum.stereophile.com/forum/s...e=0#Post882 8
To conclude my research, there are a few contradictions that need to be ironed out:
1. Someone said that E-MU will be a waste of money since Audiophile 2496 can provide all the sound quality I need (that opinion was in this forum http://www.audioforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=14376). How many agree with this?
2. It was suggested to use my current 5.1 Logitech Z-5300 amp/bass with the new speakers. Will this affect the speakersÂ’ quality (until I get a regular amp later)? If I get E-MU 0404, which is 2.1 only, can I connect to it my 5.1 Logitech base without any negative effects and then connect my new high-end speakers to Logitech? CanÂ’t I connect the speakers directly to the soundcard? (the bass will be missing, but oh well)
3. My final thoughts are getting E-MU 0404 with Swan M200 or M-Audio Studio Pro 4. What do you guys think?
Sound Cards:
1. E-MU 0404 – $99.95
2. E-MU 1212M – $199.95
3. M-Audio Audiophile 192 - $199.95
4. M-Audio Audiophile 2496 - $129.95
5. M-Audio 5.1 Revolution – $79.95
Speakers with integrated amps:
1. Swan M200 (two speakers) – $189.95
2. Wharfedale Diamond 8.2 Monitors (two speakers) – $338.95
3. Cambridge SoundWorks S300 (a pair) - $259 (from ebay)
4. M-Audio Studio Pro 4 (a pair) – $199.95 http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...Pro4-main.html
5. Alesis M-1 Active 520 (a pair) - $299.00
6. Denon (I guess any model)
7. Rotel (again any model)
Some of the prices are MSRP and can be gained for lower bargain. Here are all the forums that made useful contributions (IÂ’m listing them for cross-referencing):
http://www.techist.com/showthrea...pagen umber=1
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=183225
http://forums.audioreview.com/showthread.php?t=17953
http://www.audioforums.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=14376
http://forum.stereophile.com/forum/s...e=0#Post882 8
To conclude my research, there are a few contradictions that need to be ironed out:
1. Someone said that E-MU will be a waste of money since Audiophile 2496 can provide all the sound quality I need (that opinion was in this forum http://www.audioforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=14376). How many agree with this?
2. It was suggested to use my current 5.1 Logitech Z-5300 amp/bass with the new speakers. Will this affect the speakersÂ’ quality (until I get a regular amp later)? If I get E-MU 0404, which is 2.1 only, can I connect to it my 5.1 Logitech base without any negative effects and then connect my new high-end speakers to Logitech? CanÂ’t I connect the speakers directly to the soundcard? (the bass will be missing, but oh well)
3. My final thoughts are getting E-MU 0404 with Swan M200 or M-Audio Studio Pro 4. What do you guys think?
