connecting laptop to hifi.

[aradesh]

Hello. I'm new to this sort of thing and I'm wanting some help on knowing what I need to buy to connect my laptop to a stereo amplifier. The only output on my laptop is a headphones output so I think I need to get a USB DAC, or something like that. So I was looking for advise on what to buy. I would like probably some USB DAC that I could get for less than £100 approx $200 if that's doable

Thanks for any advice.

 

[GSurge]

I don't know what the pricing is in the UK, but the EMU 0404 USB is $200 or a little less in the US. I would recommend that as it is a great DAC and has an okay headphone amp for 1/4" plugs. It also has a ton of connection options.

 

[tjkurita]

A quick search on Audiogon came up with this.

It looks kind of interesting. I can't vouch for it and I have never even heard of it. I'm sure you will get lots of answers here because there are lots of computer-as-source folks here.

I've connected the optical out of my MacBook to my Emm Labs DAC and it sounds pretty good.

I'm pretty sure any kind of DAC in the chain will beat the headphone out of your laptop connected via a 1/8" to RCA cable.

There are some DIY folks here too who would probably build one in your price range.

Also, you might want to do a search using the terms USB DAC or something like that.

Welcome to Head-fi. Sorry about your wallet.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSurge /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't know what the pricing is in the UK, but the EMU 0404 USB is $200 or a little less in the US. I would recommend that as it is a great DAC and has an okay headphone amp for 1/4" plugs. It also has a ton of connection options.

x2. E-MU 0404 USB is the sweet spot for $200 DACs, and the fact that you need a USB DAC (can't use a PCI card) is just another reason to get it.

 

[TheVinylRipper]

For $100 you can get this unit and a remote as well..

I've had two Turtle Beach soundcards and they both performed very well. TB has been building high quality sound cards for quite a while now.

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/...-srm/home.aspx

 

[HIPPOhifi]

For dedicated laptop use get something a small as you can.

My 5 cents worth...

 

[Henry Flower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVinylRipper /img/forum/go_quote.gif For $100 you can get this unit and a remote as well.. I've had two Turtle Beach soundcards and they both performed very well. TB has been building high quality sound cards for quite a while now.

"Turtle Beach will only ship to destinations in the continental United States (including Alaska), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada."

 

[dimm0k]

Check eBay... there's some for sale there.

 

[gz76]

Um, or if you're a noob and want to keep it simple, you could just get a '3.5mm to RCA' cable and plug it directly into your amp via one of the line ins.

Here's an image for illustration purposes:

 

[Schalldampfer]

Total BitHead?

 

[bonkon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gz76 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Um, or if you're a noob and want to keep it simple, you could just get a '3.5mm to RCA' cable and plug it directly into your amp via one of the line ins. Here's an image for illustration purposes:

x2 maybe you could tell us what your stereo amplifier and speakers are, if they are worth spending the money for a usb DAC. Using the laptop's headphone out with the cable mentioned above gets the job done, not the best of qualities but you will get music from your speakers. In any case don't buy a headphone amp/DAC like the bithead, sheik or others if you are planning to use it only with a stereo amplifier.