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Newbie to Computer Audio

K

KillerFry

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 1, 2008
Messages
373
Hey there!

Previously, my only thought about computer audio were: "Get a sound card from Creative, some speakers and done".

Of course, now I see the err of my ways.

Yet, I am still somewhat lost. I see that a good deal of people are using some kind of bookshelf speakers, sometimes connected to a receiver. But I was wondering what is the medium to get the audio out of the computer.

I was about to buy an Asus Xonar Essence STX, when it occurred to me that if eventually I get a receiver... then what's the point of such a card? And if I don't use the card, then what output does one use for the audio? The video card's HDMI? A USB DAC?

I hope you guys can enlighten me on this. I see a lot of topics discussing particular hardware, but none on the setup and its details.. At least, not clear enough for this n00b.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I know I'll be asked what do I do. Mostly gaming single player games, RPG's most of the time. That and listening to music while coding. Rarely do I watch movies on the computer, I do that through the PS3... which I rarely use for gaming, heh.
 
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HDMI would feed into a receiver. USB DAC is essentially an external sound source, also useless if you plan on getting a receiver. Your audio out from the laptop would likely suffice if using active (read: amplified) speakers.

What kind of speaker setup were you thinking? Theres always the option of buying an integrated 2.1ch amp to power some decent speakers.
 
Well, it is not for my laptop. I should update my sig to include my desktop.

Haven't thought much about the speaker setup; but I think I'd start with a 2.1 kind of thing. I don't have the room space to go 5.1.
 
You wouldn't need any kind of internal or external DAC if you bought an integrated amp or receiver. Motherboard out -> amp/receiver would work great. It would be a bit more flexible in building a 2.1 channel system than getting an active 2.1 set.

How much were you looking to spend?
 
Around $500, give or take. I know that audiophile setups can get more expensive, but I'm just starting, no need to go eat all thr cake in one bite ;)
 
I'd suggest a used Onkyo 6xx series receiver for ~$100. If you can find a receiver without HDMI it should be much cheaper & better than the cheap ones with HDMI.
Check Craigslist & Ebay (factor shipping)
Use it to power a $200 set of passive speakers and a $200 sub.

I purchased a Dayton speaker (BR-1) kit for the bookshelf speakers and a rebranded HSU 10" (STF-1) sub for $170.

My criteria for the speakers were <$200, large drivers and able to produce good mids & reasonable bass (6.5" drivers work well for this) Argueably, 5.25" drivers will work fine as well when paired with a sub. Total was about $470 when I was done. It is a fantastic sounding setup.

As for Subs near $200, BIC, Energy, Elemental Designs. Go read up at avsforums.
 
And is the motherboard out really adecuate? Am I correct if I understand the receiver will amplify and also "clean" the audio from any interference?

Also, LeninGHOLA, whay do you mean the it would be more flexible than an active setup?
 
Use Optical out (SP/DIF) from the motherboard to receiver. The signal is then decoded with the DAC in the receiver. yes, motherboard audio out via optical is the exact same as optical out on a soundcard. That is why you don't see optical out on sound cards very often. It completely bypasses the DAC on the soundcard or motherboard.

Passive speakers & receiver & subwoofer are more flexible because you can have complete control customization versus powered speakers & trying to connect a sub.

Using powered speakers requires the use of the DAC on the soundcard or motherboard and you'd have to use a 3.5mm out (RCA if you're lucky) to get a signal to the speakers. It is susceptible to electronic interference from the motherboard.

Sound cards must have up-to-date drivers as well. If the manufacturer doesn't release Windows 8 drivers, what are you going to do? Buy a different soundcard that is supported or stick with Win 7.

It can be difficult to get a clean sub-out signal using powered speakers. Many active speakers don't have a subwoofer pre-out so you'll have a hard time connecting a subwoofer without a MacGyver hack job of connectors from Radioshack.
 
KillerFry said:
And is the motherboard out really adecuate? Am I correct if I understand the receiver will amplify and also "clean" the audio from any interference?

Also, LeninGHOLA, whay do you mean the it would be more flexible than an active setup?
Click to expand...

The motherboard sound is irrelevant when using something like a receiver or integrated amp. The DAC in the receiver will be converting and decoding the audio signal, therefore doing all of the work. The motherboard is only going to be supplying the digital data, which will not affect sound quality. DAC converts the digital signal to analog output for your speakers.

Having a 2.1 (or more) channel receiver is more flexible due to being able to swap out speakers or sub if they don't meet your liking. Most active speakers do not have a variable pre-out. Meaning they will either not be able to output signal to a sub or the sub will need to be volume controlled separately from the speakers. Active speakers also have a built in amp, which can only be used for the active speakers themselves. If you want to replace them, you're replacing both amp and speaker.

With a setup like I posted, or like J Macker mentioned, the receiver will control volume of speakers and sub, as well as have bass management crossover capabilities. This allows you to apply crossover to your speakers and sub, negating overlapping frequencies from the low end of your speakers and high end of the sub. Usually this takes place ~80hz.
 
I had purchased and used a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz sound card (with craptastic logitech speakers) for a few years before windows 7.

It was a popular card in the 2002-2005 timeframe but they never released Windows 7 drivers. That really bothered me. Effectively, it's trash now because it's not supported.

I know that I can always get a signal to my receiver and have a clean 85W per channel and a good subwoofer out.

Active speakers are good, but you must have a good DAC/soundcard for them.
With a passive setup, you can add 2 rear channels at any point in time, you have an excellent DAC & equilizer.

You also have less software overhead (no bloaty sound card software).

Bye bye Creative bloatware.
 
Awesome! Thanks a lot for pointing me in how to get started, I really appreciate it. I'll let you know how the setup ends up.
 
Yeah, it helps to post what you are looking at before you buy it. If you are about to make a mistake, we can tell you. I buy and sell stuff on craigslist and audiogon. Heavy stuff like speakers and sometimes receivers, are best bought used locally. That way, you can go listen to them and save some serious $$.
 
Well, that Onkyo I found in Craiglist. I might call the dude up an go see and try it out.
 
It's a nice receiver, but you don't need the HDMI. I'd suggest a cheaper one so you have more money for a sub & speakers.

Negotiate him down to <$160 and then that's a good deal. $175 is reasonable though.
 
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