Quickie: Hooking up desktop system

[Shurephile]

I need a little bit of help. Setting up Music Fidelity M1SDAC to JBL LSR4328P's. Using coax interconnects for each speaker, left going into Aux 1, and the right into Aux 2 on the M1S. Have the USB cable going from the asynchronous port to the USB on the back of my motherboard. Now is this the proper config? I have the latest drivers downloaded, and under audio its default is on M1S. On the M1S I have it on Aux 1 and switching to USB with still no sound. What am I missing?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I need a little bit of help. Setting up Music Fidelity M1SDAC to JBL LSR4328P's. Using coax interconnects for each speaker, left going into Aux 1, and the right into Aux 2 on the M1S. Have the USB cable going from the asynchronous port to the USB on the back of my motherboard. Now is this the proper config? I have the latest drivers downloaded, and under audio its default is on M1S. On the M1S I have it on Aux 1 and switching to USB with still no sound. What am I missing?

Assuming that even "works," ie, you get sound on both speakers, you're not getting full stereo. On the M1S Aux 1 has L-R outputs and Aux 2 also has L-R outputs, ie, they're meant to branch off to different amplifiers driving a different stereo set of transducers, not have one channel on one pair and have the other channel on the other pair.

Also, you don't have a preamp between them. Why not just hook up the M1S preamp output to the JBLs?

 

[Shurephile]

Assuming that even "works," ie, you get sound on both speakers, you're not getting full stereo. On the M1S Aux 1 has L-R outputs and Aux 2 also has L-R outputs, ie, they're meant to branch off to different amplifiers driving a different stereo set of transducers, not have one channel on one pair and have the other channel on the other pair.

Also, you don't have a preamp between them. Why not just hook up the M1S preamp output to the JBLs?

Ok.... So I will need a splitter from pre-out to both speakers. Currently have pre-out going to left speaker. Still have the speakers set to analog, and my M1S set to aux 1 and still no sound. Its weird because when I look at the equalizer, it's moving properly, but just not hearing it yet.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Ok.... So I will need a splitter from pre-out to both speakers. Currently have pre-out going to left speaker. Still have the speakers set to analog, and my M1S set to aux 1 and still no sound. Its weird because when I look at the equalizer, it's moving properly, but just not hearing it yet.

I don't see how the splitter factors into all this....and why only the Left speaker? You have two speakers, both need to be wired (and properly too).

Are your speakers symmetrical design, ie, you see the exact same rear panel design? Because if so then this is how that works using an RCA to TRS cable.

 

[MindsMirror]

Aux 1 and 2 are inputs, the speakers need to be connected to the output. The M1S input should be set to USB.

 

[Shurephile]

I don't see how the splitter factors into all this....and why only the Left speaker? You have two speakers, both need to be wired (and properly too).

Are your speakers symmetrical design, ie, you see the exact same rear panel design? Because if so then this is how that works using an RCA to TRS cable.

Yes they are. Thanks for the drawing! I forget to mention I was coming out of the SPDIF connection on the speakers, to the Aux. II'll either grab those RCA to TRS cables, or should I go balanced to TRS?

Aux 1 and 2 are inputs, the speakers need to be connected to the output. The M1S input should be set to USB.

Thanks again!

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Yes they are. Thanks for the drawing! I forget to mention I was coming out of the SPDIF connection on the speakers, to the Aux. II'll either grab those RCA to TRS cables, or should I go balanced to TRS?

SPDIF means Sony-Philips Digital Interface. That means it's for digital connections. The Aux 1 and 2 on the M1S are analogue.

What exactly are you trying to do here? What other gear are in the system? Because normally in a simple set up like I posted above the M1S will be the DAC sending audio to the speakers. Are you using the DAC on the JBLs and routing it through the M1S? And even if this is what you're trying to do you need to hook up the SPDIF output on the speakers to the M1S' SPDIF input.

Otherwise if what you're trying to do is have the M1S decode digital audio and send it to the JBLs then just follow the diagram I posted. Set the gain on the JBLs by, roughly, setting them to lowest setting first along with the M1S, then set the M1S to 75% of its preamp output setting. Then slowly turn up the gain on one of the JBLs. Once you hit noise or distortion, pull back a little bit. Look at where it is on the dial and set it to the nearest dot below where you are, then set the other speaker to that same setting. You'll then use the M1S' remote to control the volume.

 

[Shurephile]

SPDIF means Sony-Philips Digital Interface. That means it's for digital connections. The Aux 1 and 2 on the M1S are analogue.

What exactly are you trying to do here? What other gear are in the system? Because normally in a simple set up like I posted above the M1S will be the DAC sending audio to the speakers. Are you using the DAC on the JBLs and routing it through the M1S? And even if this is what you're trying to do you need to hook up the SPDIF output on the speakers to the M1S' SPDIF input.

Otherwise if what you're trying to do is have the M1S decode digital audio and send it to the JBLs then just follow the diagram I posted. Set the gain on the JBLs by, roughly, setting them to lowest setting first along with the M1S, then set the M1S to 75% of its preamp output setting. Then slowly turn up the gain on one of the JBLs. Once you hit noise or distortion, pull back a little bit. Look at where it is on the dial and set it to the nearest dot below where you are, then set the other speaker to that same setting. You'll then use the M1S' remote to control the volume.

Alright, alright. Makes sense. I was just plugging in cables to where I had thought they were suppose to be. An amateur move, given my involvement with vintage audio. Was just using the DAC as the intermediary between the computer and speakers, and was using a cheap Creative Sound Blaster while I grabbed something better. Do you like the use of balanced to TRS or should I stick to the RCA to TRS?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Was just using the DAC as the intermediary between the computer and speakers, and was using a cheap Creative Sound Blaster while I grabbed something better.

If you're not using the DSP on the soundcard (the primary reason for which is to use it for Virtual Surround on headphones) you can skip the soundcard and just use USB from the computer to the M1S. If you're actually using USB now you're not even using the soundcard since it will be bypassed.

Do you like the use of balanced to TRS or should I stick to the RCA to TRS?

If you can get a DAC-HPamp with balanced preamplifier output like the AudioGD NFB-28 then use that, but then what for? You already have the M1S. Unless you sell that and get the NFB-28.

 

[Shurephile]

If you're not using the DSP on the soundcard (the primary reason for which is to use it for Virtual Surround on headphones) you can skip the soundcard and just use USB from the computer to the M1S. If you're actually using USB now you're not even using the soundcard since it will be bypassed.

If you can get a DAC-HPamp with balanced preamplifier output like the AudioGD NFB-28 then use that, but then what for? You already have the M1S. Unless you sell that and get the NFB-28.

I think I may have asked a few too many questions. I'll stick with the RCA to TRS and let you know if everything goes smoothly.

 

[obobskivich]

I think I may have asked a few too many questions. I'll stick with the RCA to TRS and let you know if everything goes smoothly.

Wanted to add:

- Everything everyone has said above is right - you cannot connect an input to an input and expect sound, and you cannot connect a digital to an analog and expect sound. The pre-outs on the M1S are the proper outputs for the inputs on the speakers.

- TRS and XLR are both balanced - there's no single ended inputs I can see, so you'll have to adapt RCA to balanced. It may very well accept an RCA to TS connection though, otherwise there are active converters.

ALL OF THAT HAVING BEEN SAID: these are some immensely high end monitors that offer tons of control and functionality, and that absolutely DO NOT need the M1S anywhere near them - you can connect digital audio (not via USB, via S/PDIF or AES) directly to the speakers, and do all sorts of nifty stuff once you link them together via their RJ-45 connectors and associated software. Read the manual: http://www.jblpro.com/ProductAttachments/LSR4328PLSR4326Pmanual[1].pdf

My advice would be to set them up as defined in the manual, and ditch the M1S for this system. Let the snazzy pro hardware do its snazzy pro hardware thing.

 

[Shurephile]

Wanted to add:

- Everything everyone has said above is right - you cannot connect an input to an input and expect sound, and you cannot connect a digital to an analog and expect sound. The pre-outs on the M1S are the proper outputs for the inputs on the speakers.

- TRS and XLR are both balanced - there's no single ended inputs I can see, so you'll have to adapt RCA to balanced. It may very well accept an RCA to TS connection though, otherwise there are active converters.

ALL OF THAT HAVING BEEN SAID: these are some immensely high end monitors that offer tons of control and functionality, and that absolutely DO NOT need the M1S anywhere near them - you can connect digital audio (not via USB, via S/PDIF or AES) directly to the speakers, and do all sorts of nifty stuff once you link them together via their RJ-45 connectors and associated software. Read the manual: http://www.jblpro.com/ProductAttachments/LSR4328PLSR4326Pmanual[1].pdf

My advice would be to set them up as defined in the manual, and ditch the M1S for this system. Let the snazzy pro hardware do its snazzy pro hardware thing.

I have the Creative Sound Blaster but I don't think I'm doing my speakers any service by using it. I ordered RCA to balanced and RCA to TRS and will give it a go. I used a wire I had laying around the house and added a 1/4 adapter to the end and set it to USB on the M1S and it keeps telling me 'No Lock'. Meaning it's not reading the USB.

 

[obobskivich]

I have the Creative Sound Blaster but I don't think I'm doing my speakers any service by using it. I ordered RCA to balanced and RCA to TRS and will give it a go. I used a wire I had laying around the house and added a 1/4 adapter to the end and set it to USB on the M1S and it keeps telling me 'No Lock'. Meaning it's not reading the USB.

What do you mean "used a wire and added a 1/4 to the end"?

Anyways, these JBL monitors do not need to be connected to another DAC or analog source - just connect them to the digital output of whatever you begin with (computer, CD player, whatever) and let their software + internal hardware do the work - refer to the owner's manual for proper configuration and connection. The USB connection on the JBL speakers is *not* for audio - its for configuration.