- Nov 6, 2011
- 6,292
- 62
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RE: HTPC in signature.
We are remodeling the house and I need to find a better solution for the HTPC... and the 3000' of wire I have behind the cabinet.
Currently, the HTPC video goes directly to the TV via HDMI, which is fine; it's the audio I need to work on. Sound comes out of the HTPC via mini-jack to a Denon amplifier, and then to the speakers via 2-wire speaker cable. The Denon is an old Class-A amp that would be great on a stereo system, it's completely overkill as an amplifier for the HTPC.... and I'd like an alternative, except that I'm completely clueless on what's out there these days. Couple of questions...
1) Is the HTPC alone enough to drive the speakers? ...and that's assuming I can convert the miniplug output to a standard stereo 2-wire speaker input.
2) Are there very small amplifiers available that would serve my needs? I don't need a Class-A amp, that's for sure. There are no other components hooked to the amp... just the HTPC. But because I'm trying to reduce clutter.... I want something smaller than a frikkin' rack-sized amp.
3) Am I missing anything obvious? Would a separate sound card for the HTPC solve this issue? My main concern is getting the signal to the speakers via 2-wire speaker cable with enough volume to hear it.
EDIT: And I'm not saying I wouldn't like to update the old speakers, either. If there is a better system I'm open to suggestions. I can't do 4- or 5- speaker surround, but I can do 2-, 3-, or 5-speaker front stage.
We are remodeling the house and I need to find a better solution for the HTPC... and the 3000' of wire I have behind the cabinet.
Currently, the HTPC video goes directly to the TV via HDMI, which is fine; it's the audio I need to work on. Sound comes out of the HTPC via mini-jack to a Denon amplifier, and then to the speakers via 2-wire speaker cable. The Denon is an old Class-A amp that would be great on a stereo system, it's completely overkill as an amplifier for the HTPC.... and I'd like an alternative, except that I'm completely clueless on what's out there these days. Couple of questions...
1) Is the HTPC alone enough to drive the speakers? ...and that's assuming I can convert the miniplug output to a standard stereo 2-wire speaker input.
2) Are there very small amplifiers available that would serve my needs? I don't need a Class-A amp, that's for sure. There are no other components hooked to the amp... just the HTPC. But because I'm trying to reduce clutter.... I want something smaller than a frikkin' rack-sized amp.
3) Am I missing anything obvious? Would a separate sound card for the HTPC solve this issue? My main concern is getting the signal to the speakers via 2-wire speaker cable with enough volume to hear it.
EDIT: And I'm not saying I wouldn't like to update the old speakers, either. If there is a better system I'm open to suggestions. I can't do 4- or 5- speaker surround, but I can do 2-, 3-, or 5-speaker front stage.