Skip sound card and audio through HDMI video card?

[AznAnarchy99]

Originally I had my Logitech Z-2300s connected via RCA to my Asus Xonar STX and hadn't change it for years.

https://www.asus.com/us/Essence-Hi-Fi-Audio/Xonar_Essence_STX/

Recently started using a Sony X850c TV for my monitor so I have an HDMI connection from my AMD R9 290 to my TV.

I can connect my Z-2300s to the 3.5mm audio in on my TV and project sound via HDMI and AMD's audio processing directly. This way I don't have to be physically changing the connection any time I want my speakers on the computer and TV.

Am I losing any processing power/clarity by going through my video card instead of my Xonar STX?

 

[.vodka]

Sound quality on your Z2300s will depend on how well the TV converts digital to analog.

I don't think it'll be as good as your STX. By all means give it a try.

 

[Voxata]

Here is how I do my setup. I also use an STX.

Line out from TV (3.5MM to 1/4 adapter) into input of STX
L/R out from STX to Amp/Speakers

I enable always listening to the line in for the windows settings, adjust volume bar to something that isn't ear bleeding and use my keyboard sound buttons to adjust volume when consoles etc are in use (basically using PC as a preamp).

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Sound quality on your Z2300s will depend on how well the TV converts digital to analog.

I don't think it'll be as good as your STX. By all means give it a try.

So the TV does the conversion? I remember a few years back there was a big thing about AMD's True Audio stuff. Does that play any role in the conversion?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Here is how I do my setup. I also use an STX.

Line out from TV (3.5MM to 1/4 adapter) into input of STX
L/R out from STX to Amp/Speakers

I enable always listening to the line in for the windows settings, adjust volume bar to something that isn't ear bleeding and use my keyboard sound buttons to adjust volume when consoles etc are in use (basically using PC as a preamp).

So L/R to speakers, Line in to TV?

 

[.vodka]

HDMI transmits audio in digital form. When that gets converted to analog, it's done in the receiving end of the chain, in your case the TV and outputted to its 3.5mm TRS jack, or to the built in speakers.

Voxata's setup sounds like a good one.

 

[Voxata]

That is correct AZN, just be sure to turn down the line in volume as if you test with it maxed out you could damage your speakers (Though, my AMP is 100% all the time and I use the STX to control the volume) if your speakers have a volume knob you can use that as well, though I recommend using the windows settings.

 

[Voxata]

Also, the sound honestly wasn't too bad from my TVs DAC. Its still processed through the STX Opamps I believe, I could be wrong though. I use Burson V5's.