New Desktop around £700

socrates

http://www.medion.com/gb/electronics/prod/MEDION%C2%AE%20AKOYA%C2%AE%20P5327%20E%20%28MD8198%29/310015998

Have just seen this - would just squeeze in height wise - do not really know much about this make - but the spec seems OK - any thoughts?

Empty_pockets

I appreciate you have good heaphones but I think if you want to match those with the correct amplification a PC soundcard is the last place to be looking.

I don't use headphones these days but I do have a very good Hi-Fi system.

What is your source?

Have you considered a basic PC (sufficient for graphics) and a proper external system for listening?

I'd suggest something like a Dacmagic to act as soundcard and a quality amplifier. Can be connected to your PC by USB, optical etc. Personally I'm a fan of NVA.

Dac
http://www.froogle.richersounds.com/product/cd-players-recorders-dacs-cassette-decks/cambridge-audio/dacmagic-100/camb-dac-mag-100-blk

VGC used amp
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Traded-NVA-AP10P-Personal-Integrated-amplifier-/270973215853?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3f1743246d

New amp
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NVA-AP10P-Personal-Integrated-amplifier-/270505082352?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3efb5bfdf0

gonzo127

socrates wrote: »

http://www.medion.com/gb/electronics/prod/MEDION%C2%AE%20AKOYA%C2%AE%20P5327%20E%20%28MD8198%29/310015998

Have just seen this - would just squeeze in height wise - do not really know much about this make - but the spec seems OK - any thoughts?

good spec for the price but they are a budget brand and i would be a bit worried about the ventalation in a tight squeeze

maybe some other options here

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/view/Intel-advanced-htpc/
http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/amd-htpc/

robmar0se

Empty_pockets wrote: »

I appreciate you have good heaphones but I think if you want to match those with the correct amplification a PC soundcard is the last place to be looking.

I appreciate this is an opinion, however we did put togther a system for a retiring lead instrumentalist of the LPO - he tells me that he is very happy with the Creative Audigy sound quality together with I Trique 3000i 2.1 speakers.

On another note how does this spec sound:
Shuttle SZ68R5; Mobo Z68 chipset; Intel I5 2500k cpu, Crucial 2 x 4gb ddr3 10600 ram; 1tb 2.5”Samsung Hdd, Pioneer dvdrw; Creative Audigy x-fi xtreme sound; AMD HD 6770 graphics; edimax usb dual band 450 wireless; 500w PSU bronze; USB ports 2x6 & 3x4 + esata; win 7/64 hp; Dimensions: 33.2 x 21,6 x 19.8 cm (LWH), ??

socrates

robmar0se wrote: »

I appreciate this is an opinion, however we did put togther a system for a retiring lead instrumentalist of the LPO - he tells me that he is very happy with the Creative Audigy sound quality together with I Trique 3000i 2.1 speakers.

On another note how does this spec sound:
Shuttle SZ68R5; Mobo Z68 chipset; Intel I5 2500k cpu, Crucial 2 x 4gb ddr3 10600 ram; 1tb 2.5”Samsung Hdd, Pioneer dvdrw; Creative Audigy x-fi xtreme sound; AMD HD 6770 graphics; edimax usb dual band 450 wireless; 500w PSU bronze; USB ports 2x6 & 3x4 + esata; win 7/64 hp; Dimensions: 33.2 x 21,6 x 19.8 cm (LWH), ??

SSD?

Price?

Coolers/fans?

Can the 1tb become 2?

robmar0se

Here is a fuller spec:http://www.ebuyer.com/350716-shuttle-sz68r5-barebone-sz68r5

The shuttle has a slot available for an SSD drive

Processor cooling
Shuttle I.C.E. (Integrated Cooling Engine)
advanced I.C.E. Heatpipe technology, linear controlled 92mm fan
SilentX cooling and noise reduction technology with Active Airflow

hdd can be upgraded

Price excluding ssd or upgrade to 2gb hdd would be £900 I will PM you with further details.

socrates

robmar0se wrote: »

Here is a fuller spec:http://www.ebuyer.com/350716-shuttle-sz68r5-barebone-sz68r5

The shuttle has a slot available for an SSD drive

Processor cooling
Shuttle I.C.E. (Integrated Cooling Engine)
advanced I.C.E. Heatpipe technology, linear controlled 92mm fan
SilentX cooling and noise reduction technology with Active Airflow

hdd can be upgraded

Price excluding ssd or upgrade to 2gb hdd would be £900 I will PM you with further details.

It comes out at more than the Chillblast machine BUT keeps the sound card internal

gonzo127

gonzo127 wrote: »

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/view/Intel-advanced-htpc/
http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/amd-htpc/

have you looked at these?

i only ask as for example looking at the amd one (ok not as powerful a processor but should be more than up to most tasks) and updating it to

8gb ram
1gb nvidia gt430 - for potential CUDA support in your programs
120gb ssd + 2tb hdd
dvd rw
and a internal creative sound blaster x-fi titanium

goes for around £700 (depending on which case and cpu you go for)

or the intel one for around £800

socrates

gonzo127 wrote: »

have you looked at these?

i only ask as for example looking at the amd one (ok not as powerful a processor but should be more than up to most tasks) and updating it to

8gb ram
1gb nvidia gt430 - for potential CUDA support in your programs
120gb ssd + 2tb hdd
dvd rw
and a internal creative sound blaster x-fi titanium

goes for around £700 (depending on which case and cpu you go for)

or the intel one for around £800

The case size is a problem

tonyh66

here you go...
Overclockers Nano120a

not quite as cheap as I suggested :doh:but £484 including an SSD and Win7

case dimensions 200 x 326 x 260 (WxHxD mm)