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Computer to Stereo

C

CMD_CMD

New Member
I am wondering if someone could help me out. I want to connect my computer (desktop PC) to my stereo so I can listen to the music I have on iTunes. I want to get pretty decent sound quality and I plan on using some sort of cables to make the connection, not wireless. I also want to be able to listen to music while I also use the computer—so what I’m saying is I’d like to separate the general sounds my computer makes from my music audio so I don’t hear the sounds from websites and computer programs through my stereo speakers. Also, is there a way so I can still hear my computer through a separate set of computer speakers while my music plays through my stereo speakers?

I imagine I’ll need a decent sound card in order to achieve this (would this be possible to achieve in the $100-$150 range?). Currently, I have an old analog stereo system. Someday I’d like to be able to buy a digital receiver. So, if there’s a way, I’d like to be able to make a connection to either analog or digital. Thanks so much for any advice anyone can give.
 
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Connect it the same way lots of us here w/ out digital crap do. Buy a 1/8" stereo headphone to to rca cable. connect it via the aux, tape, etc input on the receiver. Don't upgrade the receiver, it's not needed. You will get better "music" sound from what you have, rather than a digital whatever. Next step, go into start/control panel/ sound devices/ and turn off the windows default sounds, it's the first thing I do after a fresh reload of windows, who the hell wants those irritating sounds through their system anyway? now your done, and i'm sure others will chime in as always, but it's way simple.... :thmbsp:
 
rockin1150 said:
Connect it the same way lots of us here w/ out digital crap do. Buy a 1/8" stereo headphone to to rca cable. connect it via the aux, tape, etc input on the receiver. Don't upgrade the receiver, it's not needed. You will get better "music" sound from what you have, rather than a digital whatever. Next step, go into start/control panel/ sound devices/ and turn off the windows default sounds, it's the first thing I do after a fresh reload of windows, who the hell wants those irritating sounds through their system anyway? now your done, and i'm sure others will chime in as always, but it's way simple.... :thmbsp:
Click to expand...
If you're not too fussed about quality, using the PC's built in stuff will do fine. However, if you want decent sound, you'll need to buy a decent external sound device. The onboard sound on most computers really isn't very good...lots of noise. And as for digital "crap", a good sound card with digital output fed to an outboard DAC can make some very nice music...worlds better than onboard.

I personally use a Creative Audigy 24 bit USB which only cost $30 and is a huge upgrade over onboard. That isn't as good as you can go though...most people use pro audio interface boxes. You can get a DigiDesign Mbox 1 for about $100 on ebay, which gives you much better sound and a few balanced inputs if you'll ever use them. Behringer also do a number of similar USB/Firewire output devices.

What reciever do you have? Rockin1150 is correct in that a digital system may not sound better than your current reciever, but if you have a low-end Yorx or something, it's definetely worth upgrading to a better amp/receiver be it analog or digital. Panasonic's all digital amps have had some good words here if you really want to go fully digital...
 
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I have the Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 4 Pro w/113db S/N (signal to noise) ratio which I am extremely happy with. Although the stock sound card worked, I noticed hissing on quiet passages when the volume was up. I also listen to Sirius XM online through their website and it sounds as good as compressed audio can (actually better than the XM home receiver I have!)

As far as isolating the computer sounds from your iTunes, that could be more of a challenge. The "Wave" input handles both computer sounds, and the iTunes music. Muting one will mute the other. As rockin1150 mentioned, turning off the computer sounds will solve that problem, but I understand you want both. Theoretically, two sound cards (if you can get the resources configured correctly - read as "challenge") may work, but not sure if it is worth it. I turned all windows sounds off, myself. Another option is an iTune/MP3 player. Just hook that up to your system after loading your songs. I hope this helps!
 
I second the outboard DAC. I run a toslink cable to an Entech DAC then to my preamp. I'm not sure how to disable the other computer sounds , but my seperate computer speakers are still active when I use iTunes through my stereo.
 
rockin1150 said:
Connect it the same way lots of us here w/ out digital crap do. Buy a 1/8" stereo headphone to to rca cable. connect it via the aux, tape, etc input on the receiver. Don't upgrade the receiver, it's not needed. You will get better "music" sound from what you have, rather than a digital whatever. Next step, go into start/control panel/ sound devices/ and turn off the windows default sounds, it's the first thing I do after a fresh reload of windows, who the hell wants those irritating sounds through their system anyway? now your done, and i'm sure others will chime in as always, but it's way simple.... :thmbsp:
Click to expand...

+1 And the cord is usually available at Wally World...
 
I have an Alpha Lexicon which costs probably $79, hooks up via USB.

I run everything (elec. guitar, bass, acoustic, CD player, Turntable) to my mixer then to my external sound card.
It is not the most inexpensive way, and you're probably not intersted in recording music, but I am extremely happy with the sound i get though my laptop.

Lexicon-alpha.jpg
 
MunkeyQ said:
I personally use a Creative Audigy 24 bit USB which only cost $30 and is a huge upgrade over onboard. That isn't as good as you can go though...most people use pro audio interface boxes. You can get a DigiDesign Mbox 1 for about $100 on ebay, which gives you much better sound and a few balanced inputs if you'll ever use them. Behringer also do a number of similar USB/Firewire output devices.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have an Audigy 2NX right now, I think it came with my laptop when I got it a couple years ago, so it was cheaper than buying something else :D Doesn't sound too bad, though I do plan on upgrading it sometime...
 
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