Thread: pc to amp

ahh
ok

but it's always about me!

wait...

lol


there are some cards out there that perform admerably well, even in terms of voltage output...we've found a few of them in some thread that's floating around here...somewhere

yup...also look into the echo gina3g, 5.76 volts. I have that and an m-audio audiophile 192. I have been considering doing some comparitave tests. I just have to get a zapco active x-over so It may not be the greatest comparison

Originally Posted by PutterMcGavin

Ok I'm going to play devil's advocate here because I have a setup that utilizes a H/U and blows away ALL the other systems I have come across. Here is a quick breakdown of my setup:

-Biostar M7NCG 400 w/AMD 35w XP-m chip; 512mb ram; onboard sound
-Alpine CDA-855D Headunit
-Alpine component speakers (9 total including Type R sub)

My setup basically runs a line from the computer into an Ai-Net RCA y-adapter into the back of the H/U. Ai-Net is Apline's older connection for CD changers, processors, etc. From there the sound runs to amps and speakers. I only use ONE line running out the back of the computer to the H/U and have the comp. setup to send this as a "full signal", kind of like what you'd get in some headphones or whatever. The H/U processes this signal and puts it out. And unlike hammered dog **** the sound quality is incredible. I haven't once turned it up to the point where it distorts as it has hurt my ears before it gets there! The highs are crisp, sub hits hard and nobody would ever guess that it was from a computer. Personally I like the H/U acting as A) a processing center for the music (much higher quality) and B) it serves as a back up should my comp. go down (knock on wood).

Just be careful. If you hook a line straight from the computer to the H/U you might be a high pitched whine that you won't be able to take. 99% of the time if you run a wire form the comp. chassis to a ground then the noise will go away. That is what I had to do with one of my older comps. Just play with it, it will work and hopefully if all goes well you'll be as happy as I've been thus far!

Oh and think about this too...those aux input jack on your H/U are meant for iPods, cd players, etc. But you plug headphones into iPods, cd playes...and computers with the same effect. The problem isn't the voltage, but rather the way it is routed through the device. I can use the exact same line going to the H/U on both the iPod and computer. I just have to play with the volume on the H/U about 20% then use the iPod/computer to control volume from there.

what were the other car computer setups running? I find it hard to believe that that setup would 'blow away' a properly tuned pxa-h700/701 seeing how you have digital in to the processor and you're not using the onboard dacs.

i think i'll sit back and just let red reply to this one though :-)

Originally Posted by proph

Apples and oranges Putter. Hes talking about removing the Headunit. Its a totally different monster.

No question about it some sort of crossover w/ a line driver inline.

Thank you PPI FRX-456, I'll post a review one of these days after I'm done tuning but a great intermedite piece.

i bet you'd have even greater sound quality if you used a usb dac and hooked that to the ppi. they aren't really that expensive compared to what you'd spend on a higher end soundblaster card...probably even cheaper. do a sech for 'usb dac' and you'll find more info. basically, from the research i've done, the usb dac is the choosen method for audiophiles to get sound from thier computers to thier amps

Originally Posted by godraj

what are the prices like on the Audiocontrol crossovers?

depends on which one you get. i have a 24xs sitting here doing nothing that i am looking to sell for about 80bucks. this would only be useful in a 2.1 system though.

Depending on how deep you're wallet is, you can check out the zapco slx-4. if you get a pro audio card with balanced outputs and go balanced into the zapco x-over, you'll have a much cleaner signal then the audio contorl boxes. This is the route i'm going right now, I'll post a review when the install is completed.

Originally Posted by godraj

what are the prices like on the Audiocontrol crossovers?

depends on what exactly you are looking for they have a pretty wide range of products. 2, 4, 6, and 8 channel crossovers, line drivers, signal processors etc. I was looking at their 6XS 6 channel crossover and line driver and its right around $200, but everybody has different needs or ideas about their systems. But strictly cost wise, audiocontrol components are not cheap, and they are worth every penny.