Soundcard to Amp

[junkie2]

Hi, I noticed that many people use sound cards as their source to their amps; for example, the EMU 0404 PCI, EMU 0404 USB, and the X-Fi series. How do people connect these sound cards into their amps. I can see that many amps take Stereo RCA L/R into the amps or 1/8" stereo mini jack or even 1/4" stereo phono jack. I also notice that these cards have digital outs like mini, optical toslink, and digital coaxial; but aren't these for external DACs?

So my question is how do people connect their sound cards into an amp? I am thinking of upgrading my computer sound card as I am only using the on-board soundcard from the motherboard.

Thank You.

 

[poo]

By pretty much any of the options you just explained...

 

[TheVinylRipper]

The digital outs are for external DAC's or perhaps surround sound receivers.

Analog outs connect to the amp via RCA cables or a 1/8" to RCA cable adapter.

If you decide to upgrade your soundcard, this seems like a good deal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829120103

 

[narbe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVinylRipper /img/forum/go_quote.gif The digital outs are for external DAC's or perhaps surround sound receivers. Analog outs connect to the amp via RCA cables or a 1/8" to RCA cable adapter. If you decide to upgrade your soundcard, this seems like a good deal: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829120103

I'm new but I saw this post and its similar to my setup: I am currently using onboard sound from the MB 3.5mm jack out to component RCA to my AMP straight. My question is, will I have better quality sound if I use for a better sound card for example juli@ ? I don't understand the importance of external DAC+ sound card as I thought the soundcard itself does DAC?

My AMP only accepts analogue RCA so a external DAC would be useless to me right?

 

[Chri5peed]

I did use the R & W RCA connectors originally, now I use the Digital-out to a DAC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by narbe /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't understand the importance of external DAC+ sound card as I thought the soundcard itself does DAC?

My Juli@ is virtually bypassed, I use its Optical-out.

 

[junkie2]

I have looked through the forums, and I have seen the Chaintech AV710 in other threads. Doesn't the AV710 not have very good sound quality? Or will it be an significant upgrade from my on-board sound?

I was originally thinking of the X-Fi series, or the EMU 0404, or the ESI Juli@; but was hesitant to upgrade due to money, and was unsure about the connections with future upgrades.

 

[Logistics]

IIRC, because the card has an Envy DSP, it is good as a transport, but as it's price will even suggest, it does not have amazing analog output. People just use it as a good digital transport.

 

[Seaside]

AV-710 sound is noticably better than average on-board.

It's normal output is using via codec, which is so so, and that makes the sound so so. It's alternative output (channel 7,8) is good due to the wolfson dac it uses. The sound is detailed at treble, warm at mid, little weak at bass IMO, so basically the sound is clear, not bloated or muddy at all. This is nice, but not nice enough to be called an audiophile grade.

People mainly use it as a transport. They use it's optical output to connect it with amp. That's digital, and Envy chipset is quite good for that purpose. People do not have an adequate amp usually use it's alternative output for 2channel stereo listening. As for 5.1ch or 7.1ch, it is better than on-board, but do not expect anything impressive. Also do not expect fancy sound effects like EAX with this card.

In any ways, I don't think you're going to complain about the sound of this $25 card. For the price of $25, it is a steal. I used to have that card for years, and I liked it a lot till I broke it due to excessive modding.

 

[TheVinylRipper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by narbe /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm new but I saw this post and its similar to my setup: I am currently using onboard sound from the MB 3.5mm jack out to component RCA to my AMP straight. My question is, will I have better quality sound if I use for a better sound card for example juli@ ? I don't understand the importance of external DAC+ sound card as I thought the soundcard itself does DAC? My AMP only accepts analogue RCA so a external DAC would be useless to me right?

An external DAC with RCA jack outs would drive your amp just fine..

The mobo soundcard has a DAC but it and the built in amp are usually not all that good. There is a lot of electrical noise inside the computer and some of it tends to leak into the mobo sound output.

Better quality soundcards have a better DAC, amp and noise suppression so they can sound considerably better than the mobo sound.

I have an old Turtle Beach Santa Cruz soundcard, it has three stereo 20 bit DAC's and sounds quite good. You can pick them up used on ebay for considerably less than $20 shipped if you shop for a while. Drivers for WinXP are available on the manufacturers website.