With a integrated sound chip into the motherboard, an optical output (SP / DIF) on the motherboard is better than the analog output ?
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Hardware & Technical Sound chip
- Thread starter Patrick_68000
- Start date
In terms of less noise, yes. When it comes to multi-channel output, no.
Ok and for the sound quality with stereo two channels only ?
I' would like to go from the computer with SP / DIF towards a Digital / Analog converter and towards an analog amp
Currently I go directly from the analog output of the computer towards the analog amp
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Depends a lot on what you plug it into. You're effectively replacing the onboard analog circuitry.
Thanks for your advice which confirms what I have read on the Web.
I like the advice of connoisseurs on the forum
Curious about what are you doing with it Are you recording/mixing music or sound? Generally in my opinion today's on board sound is more than adequate for general multimedia consumption. People give more credit to their ears than they deserve. It's like same old debate about mp3/flac. Factually 320 kbps audio file will be indistinguishable from lossless or any digital audio format imaginable, but people still claim to hear a massive difference. That is until you hit them with a blind test
Are you recording/mixing music or sound? Generally in my opinion today's on board sound is more than adequate for general multimedia consumption. People give more credit to their ears than they deserve. It's like same old debate about mp3/flac. Factually 320 kbps audio file will be indistinguishable from lossless or any digital audio format imaginable, but people still claim to hear a massive difference. That is until you hit them with a blind test Curious about what are you doing with it
It's just for listen the music from the computer towards the amp.
I am not an audiophile.
It was just to know if the sound quality would be better
Robert Maynard
Volunteer Moderator
It may be - or not.
Whether any difference is really discernible (i.e. not placebo) is another matter.
If you have high impedance headphones an amp can definitely help. It's not even a sound quality question, it's about putting an appropriately high load to drive them.
I read a lot of comments on the web. They say that with a DAC (specific) between the computer and the amp, the sound is clearer, more crystalline
One thing I find with a lot of analogue PC audio, especially via USB is you get some background noises from the PC which are quite audible if you turn up the volume without anything playing, in the form of clicking and whirring. I have not noticed this same type of noise via optical or coax digital outputs.
Like people are saying there is no definite yes or no answer. The best thing to do with audio is listen and see if the sound suits your ears and your system. It's so subjective.
I do like music to sound as good as possible (without going mad with the credit card) and do use optical outputs on the HTPC to an amp and main PC to a DAC with a headphone amp and line level output to a little amp but that doesn't mean it's definitively better as type of output, just that to my ears that's the best configuration for my systems. My currently unused music server PC uses a Xonar D2X soundcard analogue output rather than the on board optical output because I think it sounds better. Everything in the chain from source material to your ears affects the sound and everyone's ears are different
I'd say it's certainly worth trying optical / DAC.
Like people are saying there is no definite yes or no answer. The best thing to do with audio is listen and see if the sound suits your ears and your system. It's so subjective.
I do like music to sound as good as possible (without going mad with the credit card) and do use optical outputs on the HTPC to an amp and main PC to a DAC with a headphone amp and line level output to a little amp but that doesn't mean it's definitively better as type of output, just that to my ears that's the best configuration for my systems. My currently unused music server PC uses a Xonar D2X soundcard analogue output rather than the on board optical output because I think it sounds better. Everything in the chain from source material to your ears affects the sound and everyone's ears are different
I'd say it's certainly worth trying optical / DAC.
No headphones.
Currently I have the computer and the amp with a direct analog / analog link. The sound is very good with the integrated sound chip Asus Supreme FX.
But I would like to test an SP / DIF computer link towards a DAC digital / analog towards analog amp.
I read that the converter can bring a surplus of sound quality.
I wonder if it's true
It's the best solution I believe.
I ordered a DAC to connect a LED TV which only has a digital output, with an amp which has only analog inputs.
I will also try with the computer to judge in real.
I do like music to sound as good as possible (without going mad with the credit card) and do use optical outputs on the HTPC to an amp and main PC to a DAC with a headphone amp and line level output to a little amp but that doesn't mean it's definitively better as type of output, just that to my ears that's the best configuration for my systems. My currently unused music server PC uses a Xonar D2X soundcard analogue output rather than the on board optical output because I think it sounds better. Everything in the chain from source material to your ears affects the sound and everyone's ears are different
I'd say it's certainly worth trying optical / DAC.
Yes, I understand your explanations perfectly.
Everything is really subjective and each hardware configuration is different.
Same for the human ears.
The best, as you say, is to try
as long as your onboard soundchip has an analog output then it is already using an A/D converter.
What you have read is people telling you a way to get cleaner sound...the thing is, as long as there is no interference affecting the analog output amp portion of your system, then it won't matter to the input of your stereo.
as another person here indicated with usb audio devices, those are external devices which contain A/D circuitry and yes, they are very susceptible to interference.
The jist there is even if you go digital output from your pc to an external converter, you can easily hit the same issue and end up with interference...the interference is going to occur in the analog portion of the device, same as it might in the case of going direct from your pc analog output then into your stereo.
I have several pc's in my place and the digital audio from all of them are all connected in various ways that all lead to one pc that is then connected to my stereo/5.1 sound system...I have been doing this ever since I had my first computer back in 78, connecting to the stereo..
I am also a computer tech and an electronics tech, so I have made or bought extra devices to help at various times, depending on what I am plugging into what.
I also have 2 Hauppauge devices connected into all this and able to transmit their signals to anything.the worst device of the bunch is actually the Hauppauge pci card as it only has analog audio in/out..so for that, its weak link is actually the cables used and due to audio cables deteriorating over time which basically creates interference, I end up replacing them every few years in order to keep the sound clean.
one device is the 2250 pci card, the other is an external HD box, which can do analog and/or digital which has no issues at all as it uses fiber optic for it audio from the receivers as well as output to a pc..
I do use an amp for the A/V connections from the PCI Hauppauge card and all the cables are top quality 3 feet length...a lot of troubleshooting over the years to discover the best amp and the best cables...
Anyway, as for the rest of my systems, the simple cables from my main pc to the sound system also only ever start to cause problems after roughly 5 years of use, even with gold plated connections..I live in an area that is surrounded by sour gas plants, so connections in stereos and computers need regular cleaning every 1-2 years in order to avoid static type interference.
I also have 1 pc that is only a music server with 800Gb worth of MP3's utilizing Subsonic as its main software component.
The key to getting decent sound from any of it will be more dependent on good cables, their placement, and #1 will be the input connection to the stereo that you select.
Use shielded cables if you can, and gold plated connectors and keep them as short as you can.
The input will depend on the sound system you use...not all sound systems can give a variation of input types, but the jist is correct impedence is vital to getting a decently amplified signal..you are taking a small amplified analog source from the pc and putting it into another analog amplifier..some devices will amplify it too much, others, not enough. My preference has always been input lines on a tape deck with a monitor circuit that does not require you to press record for it to work, these are always variable input and so you can adjust for the perfect amplification level.
Anyway...theres a bit of info for you to go by..
What you have read is people telling you a way to get cleaner sound...the thing is, as long as there is no interference affecting the analog output amp portion of your system, then it won't matter to the input of your stereo.
as another person here indicated with usb audio devices, those are external devices which contain A/D circuitry and yes, they are very susceptible to interference.
The jist there is even if you go digital output from your pc to an external converter, you can easily hit the same issue and end up with interference...the interference is going to occur in the analog portion of the device, same as it might in the case of going direct from your pc analog output then into your stereo.
I have several pc's in my place and the digital audio from all of them are all connected in various ways that all lead to one pc that is then connected to my stereo/5.1 sound system...I have been doing this ever since I had my first computer back in 78, connecting to the stereo..
I am also a computer tech and an electronics tech, so I have made or bought extra devices to help at various times, depending on what I am plugging into what.
I also have 2 Hauppauge devices connected into all this and able to transmit their signals to anything.the worst device of the bunch is actually the Hauppauge pci card as it only has analog audio in/out..so for that, its weak link is actually the cables used and due to audio cables deteriorating over time which basically creates interference, I end up replacing them every few years in order to keep the sound clean.
one device is the 2250 pci card, the other is an external HD box, which can do analog and/or digital which has no issues at all as it uses fiber optic for it audio from the receivers as well as output to a pc..
I do use an amp for the A/V connections from the PCI Hauppauge card and all the cables are top quality 3 feet length...a lot of troubleshooting over the years to discover the best amp and the best cables...
Anyway, as for the rest of my systems, the simple cables from my main pc to the sound system also only ever start to cause problems after roughly 5 years of use, even with gold plated connections..I live in an area that is surrounded by sour gas plants, so connections in stereos and computers need regular cleaning every 1-2 years in order to avoid static type interference.
I also have 1 pc that is only a music server with 800Gb worth of MP3's utilizing Subsonic as its main software component.
The key to getting decent sound from any of it will be more dependent on good cables, their placement, and #1 will be the input connection to the stereo that you select.
Use shielded cables if you can, and gold plated connectors and keep them as short as you can.
The input will depend on the sound system you use...not all sound systems can give a variation of input types, but the jist is correct impedence is vital to getting a decently amplified signal..you are taking a small amplified analog source from the pc and putting it into another analog amplifier..some devices will amplify it too much, others, not enough. My preference has always been input lines on a tape deck with a monitor circuit that does not require you to press record for it to work, these are always variable input and so you can adjust for the perfect amplification level.
Anyway...theres a bit of info for you to go by..
Yes but it seems that the integrated chip converters is of poor quality compared to an external converter
thanks ! Very interesting presentation.
I know that cables are very important for the quality and stability of signals.
Same thing for Ethernet. Well-shielded cables make the difference
Modern motherboards that aren't total trash have pretty decent DACs that are often well isolated. A high-end receiver or external DAC will still be better, as will a very good sound card, but unless you are a hardcore audiophile with equally high-end speakers/headphones and the right audio content, the difference is unlikely to be significant.
It happens, the weak point is usually the analog amp, an analog amp consists of capacitors and coils which are used to separate various frequencies and sadly onboard ones are often very susceptible to interference. Sometimes they can be 'fixed' by placing foil around the circuitry..
I tend to use sound blaster live and sound blaster Audigy cards in most of my pc's, eliminating any concerns that on-board audio can cause. Then just disable onboard audio in the BIOS.
I tend to use sound blaster live and sound blaster Audigy cards in most of my pc's, eliminating any concerns that on-board audio can cause. Then just disable onboard audio in the BIOS.
Indeed, I read in the doc of my motherboard, that there is a good isolation at the level of the sound chip.
I am not an audiophile so I am quite disappointed to read that the difference will be insignificante.
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