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Thread: SoudBlaster PCI128 Do I need amplifier

  1. 10-07-2002, 05:20 PM #1
    Eddy25
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    SoudBlaster PCI128 Do I need amplifier

    My Soundblaster PCI128 sound card has 2 ouput connectors. One Green coloured to be wired with an external amplifier or headphones and the other Black coloured to be wired directly to the speakers since it corresponds to the ouput of the internal card amplifier. while using this card at home i always use the Black connector (IE without external amplifier) and it works very well. Does this means that i can use this SB PCI128 card in my carputer without using an amplifier.(By connecting the Black output connector directly to the speakers).
    ps: My psu is a sproggy MK2.
    Thanks.
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  2. 10-07-2002, 06:05 PM #2
    Maveric
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    It depends on how you have the audio set up in your car. If you have it wired directly to your speakers then you will need an amp, but if you have it running into your head unit you will not. Your head unit should have a built-in amp.

    The two outputs of your sound card are Line out, and speaker. The speaker signal is amplified, as the line out is not.
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  3. 10-07-2002, 06:25 PM #3
    ShinkunoNamida
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    Originally posted by Maveric
    The two outputs of your sound card are Line out, and speaker. The speaker signal is amplified, as the line out is not.
    note: this doesn't mean you can use this to directly power your speakers.. this is for headphones, or small speakers.
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  4. 10-07-2002, 06:46 PM #4
    Eddy25
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    Tanks Maveric for replying. I wish you 'll continue to help me since i have some other questions.
    Here's go : Since the "speakers ouput" is already amplified as you confirm, why do I need another separate amplifier whatever it is (an external or the head unit one depending on my setup) and remember I have been using this card at home by connecting it (Speakers ouput) directly to my room speakers and sound has always been very nice.

    My second question: I have just put this card in my carputer and connected its "speakers ouput" (the black one) DIRECTLY to 2 separate speakers rated at 200Watts Maxi (for now my head unit is off and totally disconnected) the result was : when powering my carputer using the normal AC-DC power supply (connected to the outlet public network in my garage...) everything goes well and the sound is OK. BUT when powering it using my home made sproggy MK2 (I say MK2 NOT MK2.6 or MK2.8) the sound is very very poor mainly with BASS music and it happens when increasing the volume that all the system hangs and here I have to reboot it.
    So what is wrong with me.
    Sorry for my poor english knowledge and thanks again.
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  5. 10-07-2002, 07:20 PM #5
    Charliey
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    See here:
    Sound quality problem. Please help.

    Although your questions are a bit different, its best to only start one thread for your questions, that way its easier to find answers when people reply.
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  6. 10-07-2002, 09:17 PM #6
    Maveric
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    You can not power your car speakers with the output of a soundcard! It may work fine for a couple small speakers, but most cars have 6 or more speakers rated 200+ watts each. The speaker output is only 20 watts or so, you will be lucky to have it sounding good on one speaker. You would be better off running the sound through your head unit.
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  7. 10-07-2002, 10:57 PM #7
    magnetik
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    on-board sound card amp were typically crappy anyway, and pretty much every new sound card on the market nowadays only provide line-out levels for that very reason.... powering a audio amplifer from a PSU supply used to run digital electronics (as in the CPU/mobo/video card/etc) is never gonna be a good idea audiophile speaking....

    and Eddy25, be careful.... one big burst of audio when running the sproggy could potentionaly overload the PSU supply... it really sounds like you are peaking out the abilities of the PSU....
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