Best Sound card that works with 5.1 speakers & 2 100watt speakers

Ender1183 · 03-08-2005, 09:48 PM

Well I'm was looking into getting a reciver but now my current sound card is not working right. So i was thinking about combining the two.
I was looking at these 3 on newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-163&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-164&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-181&depa=0

Just wanted some input on what u guys think or if anyone has these and what hey think of them. I should be checking this offten so if u need more info just ask me.

Ender1183 · 03-09-2005, 10:27 PM

OK well does anyone have an idea of what i can do to hook up my 5.1s and the 2 100 speakers. Am i going to need a Receiver and just run a cable out to the receiver? How do i do that and whats the best way? I'm willing to buy everything that i would need.

thekidrocks · 03-10-2005, 01:20 PM

I guess I am a little puzzled - maybe you can help a bit here. Are you wanting to connect the PC to a home theater receiver? Do you want to use a digital feed vs. analog? Are you expecting a Dolby Digital output?

All I can add at this point is that I have an Audigy 2 card in my system, and overall I am pleased. I preferred the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz for years, but this Sound Blaster one is fine. The software I have does have it's quirks however.

Do you need advice in a receiver as well???

Ender1183 · 03-10-2005, 07:59 PM

sorry i havent been to clear. I have a audigy gamer right now but it hasnt been working right. So i was trying to eather get a new sound card that can work with my 5.1s and 2 extra speakers(if that is even posable). I am als willing to get a new card and recive but i dont know what i should get.

i guess what my question is if i can combine the receiver and sound card. If i can't what do i need to do? Also if i do have to get a reciver i would want to be able to hook up 4 speakers to the reciver and just run a cable to it from my computer.

If that is still not enough maybe ill start a new post that is more to the point and clear.

Bires · 03-10-2005, 09:24 PM

You audigy should have a digital output-run that (1/8-->RCA that came with the card) to your reciever. That will give you your spdif output and 5.1 output.

Otherwise, you would need a set of 5.1 analog inputs on your reciever. If it's old enough, it may have them, but newer sets have ditched the aging analog 5.1 inputs.

thekidrocks · 03-10-2005, 09:30 PM

I have to agree - a Dolby Digital receiver will accept the digital output from the sound card and play just fine. The output may not be Dolby Digital, but at least there will only be 1 connection... then let the receiver do the rest.

Actually 5.1/6.1/7.1 analog inputs are back again, due to SACD and DVD audio. I have my DVD player connected that way as I do have a collection of SACDs. It's a royal pain to run 6 cables to the receiver!!!

Ender1183 · 03-10-2005, 09:39 PM

ok so what u guys are say is there is no way for me NOT to get a receiver. I'm not looking to run 5.1 with the reciver just the extra speakers. I would like to keep my current 5.1s hooked up to my sound card. Then run the digital out to the reciver and hook up for speakers to that. Im just looking to play some music really load.

zippyjuan · 03-10-2005, 10:00 PM

Looking to piss off the neighbors?

Ender1183 · 03-11-2005, 12:13 AM

yep thats my goal

OK i got my sound card to work so now i have a digital out that i can run to a receiver. Any suggestions? It doesn't have to be 5.1 but it would be nice if i could have an speaker A and B/A or B switching so i can have 4 100watt speaker

edit: i need a receiver that has Speakers A ,B A+B switching and digital input. I have been looking but couldn't find one in my price range (under $300 and the lower the better) I'm not looking for a name brand or anything. So anything that gest me the switching and digital input would be great.

Edit#2:
found this one, will it work?
http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/...cation.do#tabs

thekidrocks · 03-11-2005, 07:08 AM

If you are looking for a bargain in a solid, decent quality receiver - check out the Onkyo refurbs at J&R Music World (www.jr.com). They have sold them and Denon B stock for years - far better overall quality (sound/build) than a Sony.

Even the entry level at $150 (a killer deal) has A and B speaker switching - I think in parallel, a real aluminum face and a decent power supply. Don't let the "only 75 watts" fool you, as the majority of "100 watt times whatever" HT receivers can't do as advertized without a meltdown.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4014530

zippyjuan · 03-11-2005, 02:27 PM

SOny's are one brand that are notoriously underpowered compared to what they claim. Another thing to note is that if a speaker is rated 100 watts, that is the maximim power recommended, not necessarily what it has to have. One more, twice the power does not translate into twice as loud. I think you have to triple the wattage to get twice the volume or something like that, so don't worry about a lower power reciever not being as loud. Onkyo and Maranz are excellent recievers.

Ender1183 · 03-11-2005, 02:41 PM

thanks for the help! Now i know what to look for and I was useing the sony as an example. So i will look into those receivers.

thekidrocks · 03-11-2005, 03:33 PM

Zippyjuan, indeed you are right!

Get this - to double the power yields a 3db increase in volume... not a lot really.

To get twice the volume, you need 10 times the power. In other words, back in the 1970s (I know, I am showing my age (LOL)) the market was full of 20-35 watt receivers. However to play twice as loud as, say a classic 20w/ch Marantz 2220b, you'd need 200 watts!!!

Keeping this in mind, look at the sentivity rating on a loudspeaker. All else being equal in terms of sound balance, one rated at 90db/w/m requires twice a much power as one rated at 93db/w/m to obtain the same sound level.

The reason is that the human ear protects itself/us by being insensitive to high volume sounds - yet is very sensitive to soft sounds.

03-08-2005, 09:48 PM	#1
Ender1183 Ensign Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11	Best Sound card that works with 5.1 speakers & 2 100watt speakers Well I'm was looking into getting a reciver but now my current sound card is not working right. So i was thinking about combining the two. I was looking at these 3 on newegg: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-163&depa=0 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-164&depa=0 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-181&depa=0 Just wanted some input on what u guys think or if anyone has these and what hey think of them. I should be checking this offten so if u need more info just ask me.

03-10-2005, 09:24 PM	#5
Bires Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 5,064	You audigy should have a digital output-run that (1/8-->RCA that came with the card) to your reciever. That will give you your spdif output and 5.1 output. Otherwise, you would need a set of 5.1 analog inputs on your reciever. If it's old enough, it may have them, but newer sets have ditched the aging analog 5.1 inputs. __________________ Five years...

03-10-2005, 10:00 PM	#8
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	Looking to piss off the neighbors? __________________ I add new pictures to my photo gallery pretty regularly. You can see them here if you are interested: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz

03-11-2005, 12:13 AM	#9
Ender1183 Ensign Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11	yep thats my goal OK i got my sound card to work so now i have a digital out that i can run to a receiver. Any suggestions? It doesn't have to be 5.1 but it would be nice if i could have an speaker A and B/A or B switching so i can have 4 100watt speaker edit: i need a receiver that has Speakers A ,B A+B switching and digital input. I have been looking but couldn't find one in my price range (under $300 and the lower the better) I'm not looking for a name brand or anything. So anything that gest me the switching and digital input would be great. Edit#2: found this one, will it work? http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/...cation.do#tabs Last edited by Ender1183 : 03-11-2005 at 01:34 AM.

03-11-2005, 02:41 PM	#12
Ender1183 Ensign Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11	thanks for the help! Now i know what to look for and I was useing the sony as an example. So i will look into those receivers. Last edited by Ender1183 : 03-11-2005 at 11:18 PM.

03-09-2005, 10:27 PM	#2
Ender1183 Ensign Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11	OK well does anyone have an idea of what i can do to hook up my 5.1s and the 2 100 speakers. Am i going to need a Receiver and just run a cable out to the receiver? How do i do that and whats the best way? I'm willing to buy everything that i would need.

03-10-2005, 01:20 PM	#3
thekidrocks Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northen Indiana Posts: 357	I guess I am a little puzzled - maybe you can help a bit here. Are you wanting to connect the PC to a home theater receiver? Do you want to use a digital feed vs. analog? Are you expecting a Dolby Digital output? All I can add at this point is that I have an Audigy 2 card in my system, and overall I am pleased. I preferred the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz for years, but this Sound Blaster one is fine. The software I have does have it's quirks however. Do you need advice in a receiver as well???

03-10-2005, 07:59 PM	#4
Ender1183 Ensign Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11	sorry i havent been to clear. I have a audigy gamer right now but it hasnt been working right. So i was trying to eather get a new sound card that can work with my 5.1s and 2 extra speakers(if that is even posable). I am als willing to get a new card and recive but i dont know what i should get. i guess what my question is if i can combine the receiver and sound card. If i can't what do i need to do? Also if i do have to get a reciver i would want to be able to hook up 4 speakers to the reciver and just run a cable to it from my computer. If that is still not enough maybe ill start a new post that is more to the point and clear.

03-10-2005, 09:30 PM	#6
thekidrocks Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northen Indiana Posts: 357	I have to agree - a Dolby Digital receiver will accept the digital output from the sound card and play just fine. The output may not be Dolby Digital, but at least there will only be 1 connection... then let the receiver do the rest. Actually 5.1/6.1/7.1 analog inputs are back again, due to SACD and DVD audio. I have my DVD player connected that way as I do have a collection of SACDs. It's a royal pain to run 6 cables to the receiver!!!

03-10-2005, 09:39 PM	#7
Ender1183 Ensign Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11	ok so what u guys are say is there is no way for me NOT to get a receiver. I'm not looking to run 5.1 with the reciver just the extra speakers. I would like to keep my current 5.1s hooked up to my sound card. Then run the digital out to the reciver and hook up for speakers to that. Im just looking to play some music really load.

03-11-2005, 07:08 AM	#10
thekidrocks Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northen Indiana Posts: 357	If you are looking for a bargain in a solid, decent quality receiver - check out the Onkyo refurbs at J&R Music World (www.jr.com). They have sold them and Denon B stock for years - far better overall quality (sound/build) than a Sony. Even the entry level at $150 (a killer deal) has A and B speaker switching - I think in parallel, a real aluminum face and a decent power supply. Don't let the "only 75 watts" fool you, as the majority of "100 watt times whatever" HT receivers can't do as advertized without a meltdown. http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4014530

03-11-2005, 02:27 PM	#11
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	SOny's are one brand that are notoriously underpowered compared to what they claim. Another thing to note is that if a speaker is rated 100 watts, that is the maximim power recommended, not necessarily what it has to have. One more, twice the power does not translate into twice as loud. I think you have to triple the wattage to get twice the volume or something like that, so don't worry about a lower power reciever not being as loud. Onkyo and Maranz are excellent recievers.

03-11-2005, 03:33 PM	#13
thekidrocks Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northen Indiana Posts: 357	Zippyjuan, indeed you are right! Get this - to double the power yields a 3db increase in volume... not a lot really. To get twice the volume, you need 10 times the power. In other words, back in the 1970s (I know, I am showing my age (LOL)) the market was full of 20-35 watt receivers. However to play twice as loud as, say a classic 20w/ch Marantz 2220b, you'd need 200 watts!!! Keeping this in mind, look at the sentivity rating on a loudspeaker. All else being equal in terms of sound balance, one rated at 90db/w/m requires twice a much power as one rated at 93db/w/m to obtain the same sound level. The reason is that the human ear protects itself/us by being insensitive to high volume sounds - yet is very sensitive to soft sounds.

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