Running computer audio output to a receiver?

[Bonham]

I've got almost my entire CD collection on my hard drive and was wondering what the best way to run audio out of it to the computer is.

Obviously I could just split the regular out and get some converters for an RCA input... that could result in less quality... but we are talking MP3's anyhow (even though they are not crappy quality ones downloaded off the net in almost all cases). Course, them being MP3's could be a good reason to get a better quality connection.

Anyonw have any experience with doing this?

As shown below, I've got the HK AVR 7300 and it has pretty much every connection available.

[sowen010599]

Get either an M-Audio, or Audigy 2 ZS, sound card. Use the SPDIF/digital output to the digital coax in on the reciever. The M-Audio has an actual RCA digital coax, so all you need is the cable. The Audigy needs an adapter you can get at Rat Shack for $6. If you get the Audigy 2 ZS platinum, it comes with a front panel that includes an optical output.

[bknauss]

Wouldn't get anything Creative... they're kinda like the Bose of sound cards. They claim they have stuff like 24/96 output, but in reality they downconvert the signal only to upconvert it.

[dorokusai]

I use a Creative Audigy with a Signal Cable Mini-Plug/RCA adapter into a Cambridge Audio integrated. Sounds fantastic, no problems, and I'm not missing anything.

[anonymouse]

You guys all need to mod your xbox's and get your collections on there. Far more elegant and usable than PCs.

[saguppy]

Sorry to butt in, but I am about to have this problem as well.

So, you can buy an adapter to go from the mini-plug to rca in order to run a digital signal from an audio card to the digital coax on the receiver?

[anonymouse]

No, the mini plug on your stock audio card is strictly analog, unless your stock audio card is a high end one with a digital audio out. You need to buy an internal or USB based audio card to get a digital out from your PC.

If you use the mini plug that outputs to your speakers, you will be able to hook that up to the RCA analog input of your receiver with a suitable adapter.

Of course, all this assumes that your computer is in close proximity to your audio gear. If that is not the case, and/or you do not want to mess with the computer to change a song etc. then you may want to consider one of the digital audio broadcaster/receiver solutions from Linksys, HP etc. These allow you to stream audio over a WiFi wireless network to the receiver uint which sits by your receiver. The remote control allows you to control which song gets streamed without being next to the computer.

Or as I suggested earlier, you can convert an XBox into an all in one applicance which stores your MP3s, OGG files etc. and plays them back without your computer needing to be on at all.

[danger boy]

I use a Audigy sound card.. with a mini jack to a Monster RCA cable.. that goes in to the left and right channels into the rear of my integrated amp. sounds pretty dang good to me.

[TechChallenged]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000078WG6/qid=1098117873/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1_etk-electronics/102-0256267-8707348?v=glance&s=electronics&n=172282

The XITEL Pro HiFi-Link is an inexpensive and hassle free solution.

[hellotheworld]

upgrading the sound card
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=29-121-116&DEPA=0

[goingganzo]

install a mo bo with the n-force 2 chipset and you get on bord dd 5.1 with digital audio out

[Mjr7531]

I use a Sound Blaster Live! and it's not so bad, if you use the digital output, I tried using the analog, and it would distort on the cannon shots with the Telarc Recording of the 1812 Overture (A must buy for any of you out there who don't have it; the cannon shots are truly electrifying, along with the bells, brass choir, et cetera...) However, using the digital out, it doesn't distort for me, it makes a marked improvement because you don't have to use a DAC on the card. If you are looking for middle of the road, relatively cheap soundcard for the comp, Creative is fine, very compatible, and has some decent software bundles. If you want to go above and beyond(as we all do), I know Zero and many others here have some great recommendations, good luck,
Matt

[malikarshad]

I have two PCS one for gaming and one for Music.
For gaming you cannot beat the Creative Audigy.
For music I have Emu 0404 ($99) professional card. The consumer sound card cannot simply beat the quality of professional sound card for music. Though its not very easy to use the professional card unless your are into music recording. I simply use these card for listening purpose and the MP3 sounds so good.
The other choice is Chaintech AV10 sound card that costs $25. If you sole purpose is directing the digital output from the your PC to your receiver then this is all u need. The drawback is that its has only optical out and there is no coax digital out. I needed coax digital output as my receiver is 25ft away.
I've also heard good things about M-Audio revo cards but at that price point I would go with professional sound card if you are only going to listen to music.

[LittleCar_w/12s]

I use an Digidesign AudioMedia III card. It's the cleanest thing I've ever used or ever heard. A friend in the music bussiness gave it to me, I guess he thought it too much trouble. It has R/L+Digital in and out. Trouble is you have to have the Audio-Editing software installed for the driver to work, and windows itself can only use the linear output in a very basic sense. I agree that a Pro card is best, but right now my music PC is a temporary POS with no PCI's left. A more freindly interface would be better, and this card is designed only for the software, and for people that want to run up to 16 of them for editing... big bucks :eek:
I will look into those cards you mentioned, they cost under $100, mine cost over $400... big disadvantage.

Also figured I'd mention that a good deal of on-board and some add-on cards actually have a way to by-pass the DAC. They will be little jumpers labeled SPDiF, and an aftermarket thing bolts onto the slot in the case and a cable replaces the pass-through jumpers on the board. There's a good chance you may have this even if there's no digital (coax) mounted on the board. Most of these also allow digital-in through the connector, which is mapped to line_in.

-Jerry

edit: and I just found out the man'fr disco'd the PCI card line.. that sucks.. Digidesign has opted for fully external systems now. Ahh well, if I only had the serial code for the software...

[malikarshad]

I was previously using digital out of onboard Nvidia soundstorm on my Abit NF7-S. The problem was my Mobo had no coax digital out to had to fiddble around the SPDIF jumpers on the mobo to connect to internal add on sound brackets that had a coax digital out. I had also tested M-Audio revo 7.1 but i did not see a noticable difference in SQ compared to Soundstorm. The difference in SQ was not worth spending $90 for M-Audio. Then I research on the net and found that people really raved about E-mu 1212m and M-Audio audiophile prof. cards. I bought E-mu 1212m($200) and wow what a difference in SQ. Then while browsing then net I found E-mu 0404 has the same SQ without a lots of bells and whistles of 1212m that has lots of input/output options with balanced output and 24/192Khz DAC. I did not need all that as I was purely interested in the digital output and anyways I did not need 24/192 DAC for MP3 playback, 24/96 is high enough. So I got E-mu 0404 ($95) from guitarcenter.com and I have been happy since then. When I run my Denon 3803 in pure direct mode (2-channel) for Mp3 from my PC the SQ is amazingly impressive.

[hellotheworld]

great information

I was planning to use a PC as a source, so a sound card with digital out is must.

Did you guys try some lossless format such as APE other than MP3 on your PC?

[anonymouse]

I personally have compared mp3s ripped with Exact Audio Copy (EAC) and LAME in standard mode and cannot discern a difference from the originals. Perhaps I am not picky enough. Then again, I am on the RTi series, not the LSi series, so perhaps I just cannot hear the nuances that most other folks care about.

[Zero]

What is your price range and application? Are you more into listening to your mp3 collection in surround or stereo? As far as economy cards are concerned, the Chain Tech AV-710 sports an incredible value that simply cannot be topped. It boasts an impressive Wolfson DAC that is quite nice once you enable it. For the price of $23, you simply cannot go wrong. Please visit www.newegg.com to find this card.

The E-mu professional cards are marvels for their price range and are the next logical progressive step. As previously stated, the model 0404 is an excellent choice if you intend on running this system for playback only. For recording and versatility, the 1212m is certainly worth the extra cash. Whether you are an amateur or a seasoned audiophile, you should not be disappointed with their products. Both cards have digital and optical outs. I use the analog outputs using 1/4th jacks. You will have to keep the associated software up and running at all times for this card to function. If you feel the need to toy around and get a better up-sampling rate, remember to save your sessions before making changes.

Anonymouse is spot on with the ripping process. By current standards, there is no better way than to rip using EAC with LAME encoding. I run a fairly decent two channel system on the PC and while there is still a audible difference between the compressed format and the original, it is hardly noticeable.

I wish you the best of luck into your purchasing decision!