Coaxial or Digital connections

[Smartazz]

I have Logitech Z-5500's in a 5.1 setup, currently it's connected by direct input. Should I change them to Coaxial connections or Digial connections, because supposedly direct connect doesn't sound that great.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Any time you can use the Coxial or Optical (SPDIF) connections, do so. The quality will always be better however not always noticeable. (Depends on the audio card you use)

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Any time you can use the Coxial or Optical (SPDIF) connections, do so. The quality will always be better however not always noticeable. (Depends on the audio card you use)

Can't possibly agree with that, depends on the sound card being used.

If you're running onboard audio, it likely would be beneficial to switch to digital. If you have a modestly high-end sound card, the choice is no longer very clear.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I have Logitech Z-5500's in a 5.1 setup, currently it's connected by direct input. Should I change them to Coaxial connections or Digial connections, because supposedly direct connect doesn't sound that great.

I wouls not. You need to have the analog still hooked up to make use of the surround sound abilities(assuming you do not have a DDL or DTS interactice card).

So if you do hook up digital. Leave the analog connections connected or you will lose the ability to have surround sound in games or any other non pre-encoded source

 

[Smartazz]

sorry to specify the sound card, it's a creative Xfi Xtreme music.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Smartazz
sorry to specify the sound card, it's a creative Xfi Xtreme music.

so yes, stay with analog. Definitely, no doubt.

 

[ChiSoxFan]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I have Logitech Z-5500's in a 5.1 setup, currently it's connected by direct input. Should I change them to Coaxial connections or Digial connections, because supposedly direct connect doesn't sound that great.

I wouls not. You need to have the analog still hooked up to make use of the surround sound abilities(assuming you do not have a DDL or DTS interactice card).

So if you do hook up digital. Leave the analog connections connected or you will lose the ability to have surround sound in games or any other non pre-encoded source

Exactly. When I bought my XFi Platinum I connected it through digital coax and wasn't getting true surround. I spoke with Creative Tech support for a long time and they said to always go with the analog connection for best sound in both music and games. I have my z5500 connected with analog now and it's way better then when I try either coax or optical to my Xfi.