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Main => Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Forum => Topic started by: D2E on January 05, 2006, 01:56:36 pm

Title: Best Hookup for a PC to a receiver
Post by: D2E on January 05, 2006, 01:56:36 pm

I'd like to get some feedback on what people recommend as the better method(s) to hook up a PC/media server to a stereo receiver.
I bought a better mid-range ($90) sound card, which improved the sound, but the connection is still the cheesy thin wires going from a 2-Y into 1 jack.
I also looked into the Xitel ProHiFi audio box, but it appears to be just a soundcard in a box with RCA jacks...
Do the higher end soundcards have RCA jacks?
Trying to figure out the best way to go, while I'm upgrading to new speakers @ the same time.
Thanks in advance -
BTW, this is a dedicated media PC used solely for audio/video thru a jukebox software interface.

Title: Re: Best Hookup for a PC to a receiver
Post by: BobA on January 06, 2006, 05:56:42 pm

High end cards can have coaxial outputs (s-pdif) and various digital formats you can even get fibre optic.  Your receiver will have to accomodate the high end outputs.  The regular cheesy jacks are standard outputs for most analog outputs.

BobA

Title: Re: Best Hookup for a PC to a receiver
Post by: Silverwind on January 23, 2006, 04:24:29 pm

coaxial or optical digital connections are the best way to do it.

If you have a PC game it is limited to 2 channel audio as it may not work corectly over the digital connection unless you have a card that can encode to dolby digital real time.

Title: Re: Best Hookup for a PC to a receiver
Post by: kelemvor on February 06, 2006, 10:39:06 pm

The best soundcard out there is the new Creative Labs one but it's like $300 or so.  I'm sure that can do anything you'd want.

I just use my Santa Cruz card with a mini-headphone jack to red/white RCA jack splitter thing.

Title: Re: Best Hookup for a PC to a receiver
Post by: Luckydevil on February 06, 2006, 10:56:48 pm

I highly recommend the Creative Audigy2 ZS. It is only about $100 and has 3 mini-stereo outputs (front/rear/subwoofer). It also outputs at 2volts while most soundcards output at 1volt.

The Audigy2 ZS comes with special software to make the mp3's play correctly if you have multiple speakers. For example with a normal soundcard mp3's will only play on the front channel. The Soundblaster software will play it on the rear and subwoofer channels also.

You can either make your own mini->rca cables or you can just buy the radio shack adapter for $6. If you have the capability, it also has digital output.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102162 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102162)

Title: Re: Best Hookup for a PC to a receiver
Post by: MovingTarget on February 23, 2006, 11:54:15 am

For what it's worth, coax is slightly better than the optical for sound quality.

I was hot and heavy into home theater before starting my build on my cab and that opinion is per the audiophiles.

Title: Re: Best Hookup for a PC to a receiver
Post by: clanggedin on February 23, 2006, 12:11:38 pm

You can pick up an X-Fi platinum for $170. You can also pick up an Audigy4 for $85 and Best Buy right now.

I was going to get the X-fi, but I decided that I'llw ait until I finish my Jukebox first and then see if I need better quality sound than what is coming out of it at the moment.

Title: Re: Best Hookup for a PC to a receiver
Post by: kingflynn on February 23, 2006, 05:01:33 pm

I found this last night while searching for my solution to the PC to stereo thing.  I'm still undecided, but I might give this a try.  I want to run it from my yet-to-be-built wall juke, to the stereo. I might need just over 20' though.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00003CWC9/sr=8-2/qid=1140666052/ref=sr_1_2/002-3739997-5493665?%5Fencoding=UTF8