wvu80 Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 (edited) I can adjust the EQ with a bunch of EQ tools built into my computer, a home built PC that uses Win7, ASUS motherboard and built-in audio. The included software is VIA HD Audio, supports 7.1 out of the PC. The PC then feeds a Sherborn SR-120 AVR which has powerful and highly adjustable EQ built-in. I am running 5.1 with a hodge-podge of speakers. The PC has easy to use controls which work pretty well, but the SR-120 can fine-tune much better. Does the EQ itself matter so much, or does it matter more where in the signal chain the EQ should go? What does the Klipsch collective recommend? +++ L/R Klipsch CF-4 Center - (BIG mismatch here) DIY center which has a 15" woof and 12" horn HF section is MUCH more efficient than the CF-4's as the Cheap Thrills center completely overpowers the CF-4's. To even out the sound I used my ears and the SR-120 to controls to increase the CF-4's +3db and turn down the center -5 db. Side Surrounds - DIYSoundgroup Fusion 10's which I haven't gotten working yet. Sub - DIY Dayton Audio Reference 15" sub Edited April 23, 2016 by wvu80 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzannucci Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Depends on if it is done in the digital domain in hi-res or not. Changing the volume when in lower resolution will steal bits and drop the resolution. If everything is running at 32bit resolution (may depend on the application and hardware), then you can EQ in the digital domain with minimal problems, as long as you don't overload which means it's best to remove than to add. Make a negative image of what you want so you remove around the areas you want to raise raise in reference to others. Considering you have 32bit processors made just for the task in the AVR, it is likely making the changes in the AVR makes more sense and will be better. Changes on the computer will require horsepower that you may need for other tasks depending on the processor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I've become a big fan of EQing in the digital domain. A couple of times I have gone back to listening without it and couldn't believe I used to listen that way. What an improvement in sound quality it makes. Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 (edited) Changes on the computer will require horsepower that you may need for other tasks depending on the processor. So you are saying that the computer needs to use processing power while the EQ is being utilized? In that case should I set the PC's audio setting to all-flat and let the AVR do the heavy lifting? The PC settings are infinitely easier to change on the fly, but that's also part of my problem, I want to screw around with the sound too much. I was afraid if I made a small change in the original signal path the AVR might not "see" the processing the same way, such as exaggerating the bass. I didn't mention this in the first post, but at the moment the output from the PC is all analog, done with 1/8" jacks out to RCA in to the SR-120. I have S/PDIF available, but no HDMI. I still need a consult with Teaman and to get the SR-120 set up properly, and I didn't want to spend a lot of time tweaking the PC audio signal if I was ultimately going to reset it to flat. Edited April 24, 2016 by wvu80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzannucci Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Since you are going analog, I'd do it on the AVR for sure. No need to tax the processing power of the computer. I would switch to the S/PDIF output if at all possible. Unless you have a very high quality add in sound card, the computer output is typically of marginal quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) Since you are going analog, I'd do it on the AVR for sure. No need to tax the processing power of the computer. Roger that. I would switch to the S/PDIF output if at all possible. I don't know much about the S/PDIF except that I have an output from the PC and an input on the AVR. The only other thing I know is that I can get a cable from Walmart for $25 today or get one from Monoprice for about three bucks. Six if I want the fancy one. Are they all the same? Is there anything I need to know about it? Edited April 25, 2016 by wvu80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang guy Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Dave, there are two spdif types used in AVR's, RCA and optical. The output on your computer is probably optical, so you need an optical SP/DIF patch cord. I think I might have one laying around. How long of one you need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Dave, there are two spdif types used in AVR's, RCA and optical. The output on your computer is probably optical, so you need an optical SP/DIF patch cord. I think I might have one laying around. How long of one you need? Short. The AVR is on a shelf directly above the PC, certainly 1m would be more than enough, and half that would surely work as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang guy Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Cool. I will dig one out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The History Kid Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 I will say, I have never EQ'd on the computer end of things. All EQing is done on the processor end. Not sure if I'm a purist, deaf, or just in possession of good recordings, but I have never used CPU-end EQing. Then again, I don't use much on the system end either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teaman Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 You are going to end up with a kick *ss system Dave. Keep us posted when all is said and done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 You are going to end up with a kick *ss system Dave. Keep us posted when all is said and done! Thanks, Tim. As you know I am very methodical (read, slow) in setting things up, one step at a time because I like to experiment with variables and listen to the results. I was listening to the SR-120 in 2.0 with the Klipsch CF-4's for a while, then I had to figure out how to get the AVR to output in 5.1 with Youtube. I ended up using the SAT input. I still don't have 5.1, the surrounds don't work, so I need to work that out. But I did get the Center/Sub output to work, and wow, this thing rocks and rolls in 3.1! That's why I am messing with the EQ, both the sub and center are "hot" compared to the CF-4's but the little bit of tuning I did with the computer and AVR EQ has got some sound that is impressive. I'll take a pic so you can see my near-field setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 I am looking to set up a separate PC to run an electronic crossover system.I already have a 30 band EQ plugin to use, that accepts up to 96k sample rates. I will try it out first as a plain eq. stereo in/out. The plugin has an RTA built in and floating parametric eq, can set low pass/high pass filters. Will also check phase issues with the RTA. You can save presets/settings as well. My only issue is getting a small inexpensive board with at least an i3. It also requires 64bit Windows 7 or above. I could get the Mac version, but that would end up costing me way more in hardware. Here's a screen shot of the eq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubo Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) My two cents: Connect the PC with a glass cable to the AVR. Glass will give you electrical isolation and a good low bit error rate. The AVR has dedicated DSP processors optimized for your application, let the AVR do the D to A conversion and EQ along with any other worthwhile features it may have with the mic. Your speakers are not voiced the same, so it may or may not sound perfect. Edited May 2, 2016 by Bubo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prerich Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 I can adjust the EQ with a bunch of EQ tools built into my computer, a home built PC that uses Win7, ASUS motherboard and built-in audio. The included software is VIA HD Audio, supports 7.1 out of the PC. The PC then feeds a Sherborn SR-120 AVR which has powerful and highly adjustable EQ built-in. I am running 5.1 with a hodge-podge of speakers. The PC has easy to use controls which work pretty well, but the SR-120 can fine-tune much better. Does the EQ itself matter so much, or does it matter more where in the signal chain the EQ should go? What does the Klipsch collective recommend? +++ L/R Klipsch CF-4 Center - (BIG mismatch here) DIY center which has a 15" woof and 12" horn HF section is MUCH more efficient than the CF-4's as the Cheap Thrills center completely overpowers the CF-4's. To even out the sound I used my ears and the SR-120 to controls to increase the CF-4's +3db and turn down the center -5 db. Side Surrounds - DIYSoundgroup Fusion 10's which I haven't gotten working yet. Sub - DIY Dayton Audio Reference 15" sub I can tell you that using the PEQ's in Jriver can trump the SR-120. However everything will have to go through JRiver as well. Since this is a receiver - and you are not using preouts....let the Sherbourn do its thing. If you were running everthing through JRiver - I would use that. If you are running different sources - I'd run the Sherbourn for everything but the sub....I'd get a miniDSP for that....Having great success with mine!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted May 2, 2016 Author Share Posted May 2, 2016 I can tell you that using the PEQ's in Jriver can trump the SR-120. However everything will have to go through JRiver as well. Since this is a receiver - and you are not using preouts....let the Sherbourn do its thing. If you were running everthing through JRiver - I would use that. If you are running different sources - I'd run the Sherbourn for everything but the sub....I'd get a miniDSP for that....Having great success with mine!!!! There is no doubt the Sherbourn is the powerhouse of the setup. I like the PC's controls for ease of use as you can make changes in real time on-the-fly and instantly hear the results. I'll take the extra time to setup the Sherbourn as you suggested. I can't do the mini-dsp for the sub because I have a plate amp. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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