Modern computer can be used in a wide range of fields, from creating mathematical models of thermonuclear reactions to viewing any nonsense on the Internet. As they say, who in that sober. Between these two extremes is the huge number of useful tasks performed on a PC. Many of them are united by the presence of the soundtrack of which want to ensure in the best form and when watching movies, and during the Games, and through the office applications. Yes little if at the time of what work you want to enjoy favorite music! Making a computer in the top audio, home theater, sound recording studio and home gaming center can be easily. It is in different aspects of voice "profile" and we will try in this cycle articles.
Taking into account the specifics of the domestic market and the priorities of its customers by the word "computer" machine architecture will include the X86 (a standard PC), working under Windows XP.
Structure
According to its internal structure of a personal computer (PC) is largely similar with a fixed audiosystems, but PC - modular design that allows us flexibility to vary the configuration in a single device (block system).This is one of the main advantages to the computer systems ready audiocomponents: Rather than buy a new machine, you can change one or more nodes, which would cost considerably less expensive.
In most cases, the formation of sound scheme by the PC is as follows: stream with a digital media (CD, DVD), hard disk or over the LAN goes into the computer. Specifically, in its systemic (or, as it still is called, parent) fee, which established a central processor, memory, chipset, controllers and others. Through interaction audio subsystem and software with the majority, skeleton, computer audio stream being processed, or served as-is in the audible subsystem, which is converted to analog form and displayed on the active column, headphones or other equipment.
The bulk of the computer remains almost unchanged (change processor or motherboard direct influence on the sound quality has not, to be precise - should not have, although there has its pitfalls, as we talk below). Accordingly, the possible areas for improved voice quality, selection of appropriate sound card and acoustic systems. Aside from the acoustic processing facilities and the correct placement of trainees, and loudspeakers in the room (when using headphones items about acoustics facilities could be omitted).
Sound Card
How to find the sound card? The first point is to determine for what purpose-purchased PCs, and this component should it be at all to buy. 
After all, if your goal is to listen to background music through inexpensive plastic grant, the sense in buying a separate audiokarty there is no enough and sound-chip embedded in systemic fee or laptop computer. Yes, the sound quality is not high, but on the cheap acoustics these flaws barely show themselves as sound as a whole would kill distortions due to substandard speakers, amplifier and cabinet resonance these columns. In all other cases, the implementation of quality audiotrakta PC is not possible without a good sound subsystem, which assumes the user according to their own preferences.
Key features "areas where audiokarty fall," for the computer games "," to work with sound "(as they are for listening to music) and" universal ". Consider the last no special meaning, as a fundamentally different requirements in the vast majority of cases do not adequately implement and Game, and, so to speak, and musical abilities in a single device. Indeed, for the correct implementation of the volumetric sound in the game is required productive DSP (signal processor) that performs complex audio processing. Often, the signal passes a fairly long way to go before it get to tsifro-analogovyh converters, which are "gaming" the maps are usually secondary point: "powerful" processor, support for multichannel audio, abundant opportunities switching chips and software are many attractive to ordinary buyer than what AMC is the inexplicable. Nevertheless, if there were universal card, which not only fully meet the needs of geymera, but also can serve as a platform for building a decent music system? Yes. It is not difficult to guess, it is a family company X-Fi Creative. Today it is the most advanced sound cards - both navorotam and computing power, and the sound quality. Of course, among the "home" models. It is not that X-Fi - panacea, but it is more interesting from the point of view of the universality of the proposals in the market's no.
But would I pay for the pleasure: the base model with the support 8-channel audio (true for the games and home theater) is approximately one and a half hundreds of dollars, and options to block compartment 5,25, "on which entrances / exits, as well as amplifiers for headphones, facing more than $ 200. Finally, the flagship model X-Fi Elite Pro, combining "gambling" opportunities and high-quality D / A converters, equipped with the same convenient external unit costs more than $ 300.
If it is a qualitatively sound reproduction (for example, when the computer is used as a source of fixed audio), it is useful to draw attention to the card-class professional. Unlike the media, "game", these models are designed much simpler: as a rule, they do not have to form a powerful DSP effects, there is no support mnogokanalnosti needed geymeram lovers and home theater. In fact, at least "overweight". The emphasis is solely on the quality of audiotrakta in stereo mode. This involves not only the use of more high-AMC, but also more effective filtering power supply voltage to prevent the entry of harmful interference, as well as more correct audio processing for maximum accuracy of their withdrawal. Also in the "professional" maps usually attends the possibility of withdrawal and balanced input signal to the scheme significantly reduces fire in the use of long cables and / or in places with a large number of miscellaneous equipment. Maps called "professional" because their original area of application-home studio: sound recordings, working with virtual instruments / synthesizer, sekvensorami and so on. So another "professional" distinct maps of multimedia-support standards ASIO2, GSIF and others, which provides a minimum of delay in the processing of the signal, which is particularly important in the home studio. In terms of listening to music, this option has no value.
The price range of specialized maps to work with sound (as they are for listening to music), from 150 to a few thousand dollars. Just too expensive models usually have a particular functional equipping, so "home" is not too attractive: Why overpay? The most rational ratio of price and quality audio devices is a Class valued from $ 150 to 400. There Ball ruled two companies: E-Mu (Creative unit) and ESI, the former EgoSys. The first has been able to win popularity through a series of maps, of which the most noteworthy are models 1616M and 1212M.
E-Mu 1616M PCI is an internal PCI card and an external switching unit also contains up-to-date and mic pre-amplifier for fans to headphones, and it is of a decent quality. The model perfectly sound, so it is appropriate to compare it with a block (Hi-Fi) sources of sound category "more than $ 1,000".
E-Mu 1212M is notable for the fact that when the price of less than $ 200 has excellent converter, which have no competitors. In fact, the 1616M is the same, only without an external unit. In terms of melomana, this option even preferable, because the money saved (about $ 200) you can buy a compact Powered Mixer. What better mixer removing the block? At a pre-mic quality even worse. But if the system only as a musical, compact pult provide not only access to the headphone with dedicated (and what there is in a block 1616M PCI), but also provide a convenient adjustment of the level of loudness main break that the case for the use of active speakers. Indeed, as we know, device volume is not only convenient (always at hand, there is no need to open windows on the screen, drive a mouse), it does not diminish the sound quality, unlike most software regulators.
Of the company ESI is noteworthy primarily famous Juli @ stake, which is on the characteristics of its audiotrakta though inferior E-Mu 1212M (differences at the level of nuance), but has a more convenient administration, and its price is below a quarter. C AMA does Juli @, as E-Mu 1212M, has only linear exits / entrances (not digital), which is to connect the headphones to it also will have to finish bathing small Powered Mixer.
One of the unique features of ESI Juli @ - konstruktsiya-transformer: connecting the two halves differently maps can be obtained from either exits TRS (balansnye), or "usual" RCA household.
The second interesting map of ESI-Maya44. She made "on the grounds" @ Juli and it is very similar in appearance. In Maya44 no wheel design, used a little more simple converters. But there is a built amplifier for headphones. Let connect headphones will not be too convenient, though only adjustable-level program, but Powered Mixer is not necessarily to finish bathing. And the chart is in the region of $ 100. Very lucky budget, but not bad sounding version.
