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Anyone tried hooking a receiver to pc? - Page 2

post #16 of 25
5/29/11 at 10:53am
Thread Starter 

My intention is to use the receiver as an amp to drive my current speakers to achieve better sound hopefully.

 

The bookshelf speaker is just the front pair, I got 5 extra Energy satellite speakers to get 7.1 surround sound.

 

Most of my musics are stored in the computer hard drive, so currently I replaced all the Logitech Z-5500 speakers with the Energy speakers and is hook up to the back of the subwoofer > control pod (optical in) > sound card (optical out). 

 

My budget is keep it under 1000, for receiver + sub if I ever need the sub that is.  I lived in a house, but is connected right next to neighbor's house and someone lived in the basement, so IDK getting a subwoofer is even wise idea since I won't even use more than 15% of the power without someone banging up my doors.

 

Current setup:

Energy CB-20 bookshelf speakers

Energy Take 5 satellite speakers not the set with the subwoofer

Logitech Z-5500 subwoofer

HT Omega Claro Plus sound card

 

What I plan to get:

Receiver (Denon or Yamaha most likely)
Subwoofer been looking mostly at the HSU STF-2.

 

If the sound improvement won't be much I probably not going to make the purchase.

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post #17 of 25
5/29/11 at 11:33am

Hmmm you've got quite a few options available to you there.

 

Option 1. Have you tried using the CB-20 bookshelf speakers for the front left and right channels together with three of the Take 5 satellite speakers used for the center and rear surrounds and powering it all from the Z-5500 subwoofer. This would be the cheapest option as you already own all the components needed.

 

Option 2. Buy a 7.1 receiver and a subwoofer. You could then use these to give you a 7.1 surround sound system using the CB-20 bookshelf speakers for the front left and right channels together with the Take 5 satellite speakers used for the center and four surround channels

 

Option 3. Take your Take 5 satellites and CB-20 bookshelf speakers to a good local hifi store and listen to them with different combinations of receivers and subwoofers to see which sounds the best to your ears.  It may also be worth listening to some other speakers while you're there too.

 

Remember the best way to choose audio equipment is to listen to it yourself and make your own mind up which sounds best to you. Other peoples reviews are useful to help point you in the right direction but don't let them choose for you.


Edited by steve1979 - 5/29/11 at 11:42am
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post #18 of 25
5/29/11 at 11:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by prtuc2 View Post

Yes, I was referring use as a computer speakers system where the subwoofer act as an amp to power the speakers.  Is it because the sound quality decreased or just defeat the purpose of owning a receiver?  Thanks again for the precise information.


Yes on both counts. As I said, a computer speaker system is a step backwards in SQ (my opinion); and the computer speaker system does defeat the purpose of a receiver as you would actually have to use the pre outs on the receiver to feed the computer speaker system. What you are describing is: 

 

HT Omega Claro plus (optical out) > Receiver (optical in) > Receiver pre outs > Computer speaker analog in

 

In that chain, the receiver is nothing more than a DAC; and there are probably better DACs for the money (as you aren't paying for all the other functionality included in the receiver).


Edited by MtnSloth - 5/29/11 at 11:42am
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post #19 of 25
5/29/11 at 1:07pm

...Continued

 

Option 4. Sell all of your current speakers and add the money to the 1000 budget and buy a completely new surround sound set up.

 

Option 5. Keep your current 5.1 setup for surround sound duties and use the 1000 budget to buy a good hifi quality DAC and stereo amplifier for listening to music.

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post #20 of 25
5/29/11 at 1:32pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks Steve for your time and very detailed information.  As up now I am doing what you listed on option 1, option 2 is what I plan to achieve.

 

Option 5 looks interesting, but I am not familiar with any good hifi quality DAC and stereo amplifier (any examples would be greatly appreciated for research purpose of course).

 

My speakers are very good I know not the best, but given the budget and living conditions getting high end speakers and not using their full potential probably is waste. 

 

To MtnSloth: thanks for your information as well, so my best option to improve the sound quality from a computer system is not getting a receiver but rather getting a better DAC?  Because the Logitech Z-5500 subwoofer is very muddy. 

 

Once again greatly appreciated all the opinions so far.

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post #21 of 25
5/29/11 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by prtuc2 View Post

Thanks Steve for your time and very detailed information.



Glad I could be of help. Besides my graphics cards died the other day so I've been spending the last couple of day sitting in front of the TV with an old laptop browsing through forums while I wait for a replacement card.

 

I don't know what's available to buy over there in the US of A but here's a list of good British amps and DAC's within your buget.

Arcam rDAC

Cambridge Audio DacMagic

Beresford TC-7520 DAC

Yamaha A-S500 

Marantz PM6003

 

Whatever you go for try and listen to them with your own speakers first because different combinations of audio equiptment don't always compliment each other that well. It might also we worth looking to see what bargins you can find on eBay.


Edited by steve1979 - 5/29/11 at 3:29pm
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post #22 of 25
5/29/11 at 9:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by prtuc2 View Post
To MtnSloth: thanks for your information as well, so my best option to improve the sound quality from a computer system is not getting a receiver but rather getting a better DAC?  Because the Logitech Z-5500 subwoofer is very muddy. 


Arrrg . . . no. smile.gif

 

The best way to maximize SQ coming from a computer, in my opinion, is to not touch computer speakers or computer sound systems - the speakers and speaker systems targeting computer users - it's a trap! [doing best Admiral Ackbar impression]

 

Go for "regular" stereo speakers. Get the best ones you can afford, but leave enough money for a receiver that can handle the output from your computer. Just be sure the receiver has an optical in. Thus, I would be in most agreement with Steve's Options 4 or 5, but don't disagree with any of his suggestions.

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post #23 of 25
5/29/11 at 11:07pm

Aktimate Minis - just give them a whirl from the line-out on your PC : if still not happy, look at something like the MSII to give the Minis a better analog signal. Then party, with lotsa beer and chicks.

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post #24 of 25
5/30/11 at 6:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by estreeter View Post

Aktimate Minis - just give them a whirl from the line-out on your PC : if still not happy, look at something like the MSII to give the Minis a better analog signal. Then party, with lotsa beer and chicks.



Actually I already own the HRT MS2+ DAC, however the control of the Logitech Z-5500 doesn't have  RCA connectors.

http://store.picbg.net/pubpic/69/D3/b1c8e66e53d269d3.png

 

 

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post #25 of 25
6/14/11 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 

Just to update my status, I have picked up a Yamaha RX-797 stereo receivers instead of the 7.1 surround sound which very unlikely going to use since majority of my time just listening to music.

 

A round of applaud to you guys for helping out.  Right now missing a sub but people living below me so going to skip it until I find a better place. 

 

As for the sound is clearer, cleaner bass, this receiver is very powerful.

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