Good Computer Audio Receiver?

[SuperGroove]

I want to hook up some home theatre speakers to my computer. The way i used to do it was:

From Computer with 1/8-two RCAs into the Receiver.

It sounds horrible as many of you might be able to attest to. DVD audio is horrible, and there is much distortion and interference.

What options are out there if I want to use regular bookshelf speakers as opposed to a dedicated PC Speaker unit?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[HouRman]

What sound card were you using?
It's all in the sound card. If you have a decent quality card such as the TB santa cruz, audigy, phillips AE, or GTXP, the sound will be good.

The choices all involve a 1/8-rca or rca-rca interconnect. Unless.. you buy a 5.1 integrated receiver and then use a digital out on the sound card to the receiver, and then plug the speakers to the receiver.

Either way with the quality sound card, your audio shouldn't lack.

If you would like to use 2 bookshelf speakers you may purchase a stereo integrated receiver that plugs to the sound card. OR you may use the sound card as the (preamplifier processor) and connect a separate power amplifier to the sound card (What I recommend).

If you already have a 5.1 integrated receiver, then just use a digital coaxial cable or optical from the sound card to the receiver. This might be the easiest and most affordable solution.

If you already have the speakers and sound card, then you can buy an amp instead of a receiver. Companies such as Parasound, Rotel, Kenwood or ATI make decent amplifiers. 5 channel amps don't come cheap though...

 

[MasterHoss]

Well, although I would always recommend against it, you might find a receiver with USN connectivity.

 

[SuperGroove]

<< What sound card were you using?
It's all in the sound card. If you have a decent quality card such as the TB santa cruz, audigy, phillips AE, or GTXP, the sound will be good.

The choices all involve a 1/8-rca or rca-rca interconnect. Unless.. you buy a 5.1 integrated receiver and then use a digital out on the sound card to the receiver, and then plug the speakers to the receiver.

Either way with the quality sound card, your audio shouldn't lack.

If you would like to use 2 bookshelf speakers you may purchase a stereo integrated receiver that plugs to the sound card. OR you may use the sound card as the (preamplifier processor) and connect a separate power amplifier to the sound card (What I recommend).

If you already have a 5.1 integrated receiver, then just use a digital coaxial cable or optical from the sound card to the receiver. This might be the easiest and most affordable solution.

If you already have the speakers and sound card, then you can buy an amp instead of a receiver. Companies such as Parasound, Rotel, Kenwood or ATI make decent amplifiers. 5 channel amps don't come cheap though... >>



Thanks for the quick response! Here's the setup I envision:
Acoustic Research HC1 or Acoustic Research HC6
McIntosh Amplifier
Sony Trinitron Television with RCA input


I have a laptop with not so good sound. It's not 5.1 compatible, and it does not have digital out. When I use it with my Onkyo Receiver via the 1/8 to RCAs, I set it to BYPASS so I only hear the front two bookshelf speakers. It still doesn't sound good however

Which Power Amplifier do you recommend? Do you think I should get an Extigy (external SoundBlaster Audigy) then get a power amplifier and receiver? I want to have a mini home theatre system that I can also hook my laptop to for when I want to listen to my MP3s

Sorry for the jumbled post, but I really appreciate the help!

 

[LoTecha]

I'm guessing the problem was your laptop's sound card. I have the same 1/8" stereo --> rca connection with an awe64 as my source, and it sounds great (for a computer setup). Make sure the output you're using is the line-out and not speaker-out as the latter is amplified and will add significant distortion. The best choice, of course, would be using a sound card with digital out and a receiver with digital in, but that's pretty expensive. I don't see how you're planning to upgrade your laptop's sound card though. Maybe you can get a usb external sound card?

 

[SuperGroove]

My laptop has:
Line-In
Headphone Out
Microphone In

No Line-Out

Anyways, I remembered that my dad had a really old McIntosh Amplifier or Pre-amplifier (I can't tell the difference). What...the...hell...have...I...been...missing...out...on?!!?!?!?!

I hooked my laptop up to the Amplifier via 1/8-RCA and HOLEEEE CRUD! All this time I've been looking for a suitable 2.1 solution, and I've found it!! This is definitely better than I could have imagined. I can also use my Sennheisers to their TRUE potential! Why in the hell did I spend $200 on a bookshelf system?! I mean it sounds great and all, but I can see how awesome a Component setup is going to sound!

BYE BYE Computer Speakers, HELLO REAL DEAL SPEAKERS!

Now...any pre-amp, power amp, receiver recommendations?

I am HAPPY!

 

[Goi]

The problem probably lies in the quality of your laptop sound device. The lack of a digital out means that you will have to use your analog line-out(headphone out), which is probably of a very low quality.

 

[arcenite]

I have my computer plugged into the DVD Input on my Aiwa Home Theatre System (bookshelf system + 3 more speakers)