In what way should I connect my PC to my Pioneer receiver?

[killerline]

Heya guys! 
To begin with, sorry if I started this in the wrong section or perhaps even forum. But I love both you guys and your expertise so this would be an acceptable exception. c:
Okey so in this instance I've hooked up my PC to my receiver by HDMI. But I was thinking, even a Xonar Essence STX II (as I happen to own one for my DT990) should improve the sound quality further than it is now, right? The receiver's a Pioneer VSX-922 and my GPU a GTX 1070 if that is necessary. 
So my question for you is should I stay this way with the HDMI cable or should I connect it through RCA/ Optical from the STX II to the receiver's audio in? What would be the best choice?
And if you know of any other way that you think is better than I'd be pleased to hear about it. Oh, and I'm unfortunately unable to spend money over like 30 bucks 'cause this setup was an expensive one . Running 2.1 for those who're wondering.
 
Cheers 

​

 

[PurpleAngel]

Optical will not offer any audio quality improvements, over HDMI.
The STX II Front Speaker (analog) line-output might(?) offer an improvement.
Me, I think I would just keep using the HDMI connection.

 

[killerline]

I see. Then perhaps, I will stick with HDMI then. Oh another question, randomly at times, I hear stutters. Do you know why that could be?
Like maybe once every 10 min or something, don't mind it but just asking if there's a fix?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  So my question for you is should I stay this way with the HDMI cable or should I connect it through RCA/ Optical from the STX II to the receiver's audio in? What would be the best choice?

 
The only difference is that you can use the soundcard's DSP, and the only relevant features there vs the receiver's DSP might be an easier EQ interface and virtual surround. If you're using speakers anyway then no problem.
 
 

  I see. Then perhaps, I will stick with HDMI then. Oh another question, randomly at times, I hear stutters. Do you know why that could be?
Like maybe once every 10 min or something, don't mind it but just asking if there's a fix?

 

Try to reinstall the relevant audio drivers - motherboard and NVidia's (if it's packaged with all the other video drivers then just reinstall everything).

 

If your STX II is installed in the system that might be causing some kind of interference. Take it out and make sure to remove all of its drivers, then see if it helps. If it does, time to go SLI or get a PCI-Ex SSD, since you're not putting that soundcard back in.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I see. Then perhaps, I will stick with HDMI then. Oh another question, randomly at times, I hear stutters. Do you know why that could be?
Like maybe once every 10 min or something, don't mind it but just asking if there's a fix?

 
As your running HDMI audio to the receiver, might as well remove the Essence STX II
Using the graphics card as the Audio output bypass all the sound card features of the STX II anyway.
Make sure the graphics card is the computer's default audio device, in the Control Panel > Sound > Playback tab.

 

[killerline]

   
The only difference is that you can use the soundcard's DSP, and the only relevant features there vs the receiver's DSP might be an easier EQ interface and virtual surround. If you're using speakers anyway then no problem.
 
 

 

Try to reinstall the relevant audio drivers - motherboard and NVidia's (if it's packaged with all the other video drivers then just reinstall everything).

 

If your STX II is installed in the system that might be causing some kind of interference. Take it out and make sure to remove all of its drivers, then see if it helps. If it does, time to go SLI or get a PCI-Ex SSD, since you're not putting that soundcard back in.

 
Ok. Thanks for clearing that up. I'll stick to HDMI then!
And, I think you missed the part about me barely having any money left haha. But I would love to, believe me . And I did also mention that I'm using the sound card for my DT990 (250 ohms) and I do love it indeed. So wouldn't remove it from the PC, sorry. 

   
As your running HDMI audio to the receiver, might as well remove the Essence STX II
Using the graphics card as the Audio output bypass all the sound card features of the STX II anyway.
Make sure the graphics card is the computer's default audio device, in the Control Panel > Sound > Playback tab.

 
"I'm using the sound card for my DT990 (250 ohms)". So HDMI audio is the best solution?
And just to point out that I know my way very well around a PC FYI. So, what you just said I already know (sorry if I sound rude or anything, not intended to). 
 
Thanks for the help guys! I'll stick to HDMI then by the looks of it.
Cheers.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

   
Ok. Thanks for clearing that up. I'll stick to HDMI then!
And, I think you missed the part about me barely having any money left haha. But I would love to, believe me . And I did also mention that I'm using the sound card for my DT990 (250 ohms) and I do love it indeed. So wouldn't remove it from the PC, sorry. 

 

Take it out or at least remove all of its drivers just to check if it is the one causing the issues on the HDMI.

 

Alternately, given limited funds, why use a 5.1 receiver that can't do virtual surround for headphones (and has issues with low impedance cans) to run 2.1 audio? I would have just picked up a DAC-HPamp-Preamp combo to active speakers and a sub.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  "I'm using the sound card for my DT990 (250 ohms)". So HDMI audio is the best solution?
And just to point out that I know my way very well around a PC FYI. So, what you just said I already know (sorry if I sound rude or anything, not intended to). 
Thanks for the help guys! I'll stick to HDMI then by the looks of it.

 
How does the DT990 sound plugged into the receiver (out of curiosity)?
 
If you going to keep the STX II installed.
Might as well just run optical to the receiver (and disconnect the HDMI from the receiver) and disable the motherboard's on-board audio, in the BIOS.
Maybe even disable the grahics card's audio controller.
Hopeful that will fix the stuttering issue
 
As you only need to run 2-channels of PCM digital audio to the receiver, optical should sound just as good as HDMI.
 
Guess you would run the HDMI cable straight from the graphics card to your display.

 

[killerline]

 

 

Take it out or at least remove all of its drivers just to check if it is the one causing the issues on the HDMI.

 

Alternately, given limited funds, why use a 5.1 receiver that can't do virtual surround for headphones (and has issues with low impedance cans) to run 2.1 audio? I would have just picked up a DAC-HPamp-Preamp combo to active speakers and a sub.

Ok, that I can do.
 
And I bought a used one. I got it for a mere 130 dollars or so (it's 7.2 btw). Here in Sweden we barely have stuff like that around, DACs, Amps, Preamp. All of those are like a rare collection here. 
So this was the best route for me to choose as I will expand later on. I went recently from 2.0 to 2.1. And I will most likely keep this system for a very long while as well. Soon, I'm thinking of going 3.1 (center channel) and then maybe 5.1 if I can make space for it. Get it? I future-proofed

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Ok, that I can do.
 
And I bought a used one. I got it for a mere 130 dollars or so (it's 7.2 btw). Here in Sweden we barely have stuff like that around, DACs, Amps, Preamp. All of those are like a rare collection here. 
So this was the best route for me to choose as I will expand later on. I went recently from 2.0 to 2.1. And I will most likely keep this system for a very long while as well. Soon, I'm thinking of going 3.1 (center channel) and then maybe 5.1 if I can make space for it. Get it? I future-proofed

 
I'm not the expert on receivers, but your receiver may not support a 3.1 setup, you might have to set the receiver's controls to 5.1, to get the center channel working.
Which means the receiver will send some of the audio signal the rear speakers that are not there, so you might lose out on some of the audio.
Maybe go thru the receiver's manual before investing in a center channel speaker.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
And I bought a used one. I got it for a mere 130 dollars or so (it's 7.2 btw). Here in Sweden we barely have stuff like that around, DACs, Amps, Preamp. All of those are like a rare collection here. 
So this was the best route for me to choose as I will expand later on. I went recently from 2.0 to 2.1. And I will most likely keep this system for a very long while as well. Soon, I'm thinking of going 3.1 (center channel) and then maybe 5.1 if I can make space for it. Get it? I future-proofed

 

If you're building a 5.1 slowly then yeah, that's one way to do it. I wouldn't go hard and fast on the idea that it's future proof though - A/V receivers are the ones that are least future proof in all A/V gear due to the processor features and digital inputs. I can remember how many people over here went around dumping entry level receivers to get audio going along with video in HDMI1.3 or the ARC in HDMI2.0. In your case though it can be if all you really need for it is to process 5.1 audio to go out of 5.1 speakers via HDMI1.3 and newer.

 

That said, given how important it is that you can drive a headphone I assume this set-up isn't on a couch with a large display in the living room but still on a desk, I'd still much rather prioritize the driving the headphone and just use decent multimedia surround speakers. As much as the HiVi set can cost $500 (you might have picked up the receiver cheap, but how much are the mains and sub? plus the Center and surrounds you don't have yet?), the idea here is that you can plug it directly to the analogue 5.1 outputs on the same soundcard that you'll use to drive headphones. It's not like the room will be large enough to really need large speakers driven by a large receiver for surround sound, and really just go with headphones for music if the sub doesn't "meet" the smaller mains' response properly.

 

But then again you already have the receiver. Still, check if the problem is some kind of conflict with the soundcard driver, because if it is, then consider selling the receiver and 2.1 speakers and just using a good 5.1 multimedia set.

 

[killerline]

   
I'm not the expert on receivers, but your receiver may not support a 3.1 setup, you might have to set the receiver's controls to 5.1, to get the center channel working.
Which means the receiver will send some of the audio signals the rear speakers that are not there, so you might lose out on some of the audio.
Maybe go thru the receiver's manual before investing in a center channel speaker.

 
Really? I'll have to check. Thanks a lot for warning me, appreciate it.
 
 

 

 

If you're building a 5.1 slowly then yeah, that's one way to do it. I wouldn't go hard and fast on the idea that it's future proof, though - A/V receivers are the ones that are least future proof in all A/V gear due to the processor features and digital inputs. I can remember how many people over here went around dumping entry level receivers to get audio going along with the video in HDMI1.3 or the ARC in HDMI2.0. In your case, though it can be if all you really need for it is to process 5.1 audio to go out of 5.1 speakers via HDMI1.3 and newer.

 

That said, given how important it is that you can drive a headphone I assume this set-up isn't on a couch with a large display in the living room but still on a desk, I'd still much rather prioritize the driving the headphone and just use decent multimedia surround speakers. As much as the HiVi set can cost $500 (you might have picked up the receiver cheap, but how much are the mains and sub? plus the Center and surrounds you don't have yet?), the idea here is that you can plug it directly to the analogue 5.1 outputs on the same soundcard that you'll use to drive headphones. It's not like the room will be large enough to really need large speakers driven by a large receiver for surround sound, and really just go with headphones for music if the sub doesn't "meet" the smaller mains' response properly.

 

But then again you already have the receiver. Still, check if the problem is some kind of conflict with the soundcard driver, because if it is, then consider selling the receiver and 2.1 speakers and just using a good 5.1 multimedia set.

 
I know I've barely given you any info on my setup so here it goes: 
I've got Monitor Audio MR2 bookshelf speakers on my desk, next to my display on both sides. Then, because the bed is right behind me (got a medium-sized room) so I put my Klipsch R12-SW (sub) to my right on the floor. It could fit underneath my desk if I wanted to but here's the deal; I've placed the receiver, a Pioneer VSX-922 (think like 2013 no?), on the sub (that's to my right as I said).
This is the most convenient way for me. The subs and receivers placements are both space saving and very effective for good sound. I've also put a thick layer of foam between the sub and receiver so that I 1. Don't damage the receiver in any way 'cause of the bass and 2. It made an annoying sound as well so this fixed it. 
 
Sure, a 5.1 multimedia set would save me money ok. But I would neither call it quality nor HiFi. And I am much more satisfied with my current system, and I will always be able to upgrade it later on so I don't think I've made a wrong decision here. The total cost for me was 330 dollars or so (that price includes the disgusting 25% tax on every item, Sweden...). The total price would've been 700 dollars-ish. I got the speakers as a Christmas gift. My parents were very kind to sponsor me 100 dollars for the sub (the rest I paid 250 dollars). And I bought the receiver myself for 130-ish dollars.
So if something I went plus for this. The center channel (thinking of getting the one from the same series as my speakers) would only cost me 100 dollars from the English Amazon. And that isn't an issue . Surround speakers? Perhaps someday, if I get the space for it somehow.
Oh yeah would never sell this setup (at least not anytime soon), that's stupid if you ask me. That way I'll lose all the money I paid for this pretty system.
Did I forget anything? 

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
I know I've barely given you any info on my setup so here it goes: 
---
Sure, a 5.1 multimedia set would save me money ok. But I would neither call it quality nor HiFi. And I am much more satisfied with my current system, and I will always be able to upgrade it later on so I don't think I've made a wrong decision here. The total cost for me was 330 dollars or so (that price includes the disgusting 25% tax on every item, Sweden...). The total price would've been 700 dollars-ish. I got the speakers as a Christmas gift. My parents were very kind to sponsor me 100 dollars for the sub (the rest I paid 250 dollars). And I bought the receiver myself for 130-ish dollars.
So if something I went plus for this. The center channel (thinking of getting the one from the same series as my speakers) would only cost me 100 dollars from the English Amazon. And that isn't an issue . Surround speakers? Perhaps someday, if I get the space for it somehow.
Oh yeah would never sell this setup (at least not anytime soon), that's stupid if you ask me. That way I'll lose all the money I paid for this pretty system.
Did I forget anything? 

 

You're missing the points I already raised. Your desk system isn't a large enough space for quality multimedia 5.1 speakers to have a considerable disadvantage vs larger speakers and a large receiver, more so when at this point driving a headphone is just as important to you, and possibly having a driver conflict as well.

 

You've invested this much and gone this far, fine. What I'm saying about selling it is if you confirm that the problem is a software conflict between the soundcard driving the headphone and providing DSP processing for it, which you normally can't get both in a receiver, while that same soundcard can feed a 5.1 signal to multimedia speakers which if large enough will again not have that big of a disadvantage vs larger speakers and a giant receiver. I didn't even mention "damaging" anything but I'm not sure why you brought that  about he receiver and the sub (they're build under the assumption that users would have a sub not too far away after all).

 

Btw, when I talk about multimedia speakers, I'm NOT talking about something like this...

...but something like this, the brand I specifically cited.

Or this. Either way, you can see these two aren't exactly plastic speakers with tiny speakers, but 3in to 4in drivers in wood cabinets built around a 10in sub.

 
 
 

 

In any case, you don't really have to go that far, but the problem is some kind of software conflict, then the thing is you'll really just have to deal with the problem you're having unless some future software update fixes it.

 

 

 

[killerline]

Ok, cheers. Thanks for all of the help!

 

[killerline]

Btw, just another question if it's ok (so I don't have to start a new thread)? If you remember, I said that I'm using the Monitor Audio MR2 as my fronts on my desk, right? So the obvious choice would be to get the centre channel from the same series, but here's the thing; it's about half the height of the speakers (that is, it's too big). Wouldn't it drown out the fronts? Should I get something smaller or still get it but just perhaps lower the volume of the centre? Opinions? I thought of maybe a Dynavoice speaker 'cause they're both cheap and small but maybe not quality? I don't know help me D: