Firstly, Merry Christmas one and all!

I'd like to start using my Hi-Fi for playing my music etc on my PC. I've just changed over to using a Shuttle box as my main machine (SN25 Athlon64-based). I've done this in the past using a decent quality jack-phono cable. I have a reasonable Creative 4.1 setup for the PC, but it seems a bit daft having this as I have a good hi-fi separates system right next to the PC.

This time, the Shuttle doesn't seem to have a standard Line-Out :( The only out connections are digital SPDIF ones, in both co-ax and optical Toslink flavours.

My amp (Marantz PM4400) only has std phono connections, as it's not an AV amp with digital inputs/outputs.

Is there anything I can do? Is a reasonably priced digital-analogue convertor available or is it not worth it? I don't particularly want any degredation in sound quality.

Thoughts?

Steve

Yes, I also have a Shuttle Case and I use an Edirol UA-1X USB Audio interface.

"Studio" quality sound through it (it's a semi-pro device).

About 60 quid... I am a bit of an Audio geek and I love to bits.

Thanks Josh, 'sounds' ideal Bit more than I wanted to spend, but if it does the job...

I've some of your other audio based threads on here before, so know it must be a decent bit of kit

Where did you get it?

Steve

I use an EMU 0404 soundcard. Costs £70 and the sound quality is absolutely spot on. I use this with a £220 ANT Amber headphone amp and £100 Beyerdynamic DT531 headphones, and I am absolutely delighted with it. I have used this for a year now, and been very happy.... and believe me, thats not easy when it comes to hifi....

Hehehe, I know what you mean PB...

The only problem with the shuttles is the lack of space inside (you get an AGP and a PCI iirc) so if there's nothing else in the PCI slot, the EMU 0404 would be a good choice.

I like the USB device because it's outside the case, but the choice is most definately yours.

I use the same headphones (the DT531's) along with a CORDA HA-1 MKII Headphone Amp. Sounds lovelly to me!

Thanks guys. The SN25 has moved over to PCI-E and an SLI slot, so that's taken up with my GFX card (this model doesn't have onboard video). That's the only oversight with this model I think, they should have tried harder to fit in 2 expansion slots! Can't complain too much though, as the rest of it is stuffed full

Liking your choice of equipment Paul, I couldn't quite stretch to the 531s, so have the 231s instead :P They sound fine to me, and haven't seen the need for a headphone amp.... yet

I've seen tonight that Soundware do the UA-1X for £50 so I'll probably get it from them, when I have some cash spare.

Cheers,

Steve

You won't be disappointed.

Re: the Headphone amp... We think you need one

Even a CMoy from www.evilfire.com will make your 'phones sound better.

As much as I hate to disagree, I'd exercise caution with headphone amps. The DT231 should be a fairly easy to drive headphone, and headphone amps are mainly to be recommended with headphones that prove more difficult to drive - then the difference can truly be appreciated. See headphone amps more as getting the most out of genuinely better headphones, and you wont go far wrong. The DT531 is such a headphone that warrants a headphone amp IMPO, but not the DT231.... especially if he is already satisfied.

I've had too many headphone amps which were a waste of money....