Generally speaking, the DA converters in computers or small devices like MP3 players are not audiophile quality. Taking analog out would not be as good as taking digital out and then doing the DA conversion in your stereo. This presumes that the DA converter in your stereo is beter than the one in the notebook, which it should be. However, you did say that you want to do it on the cheap. In this case, taking analog out may be less expensive.
Notebook digital vs analog out to digital amp?
Please let me know which is better:
Audigy ZS -> decent optical out cable-> Panasonic sa-xr55 digital amp -> Silverline SR-17
vs.
Audigy ZS -> decent RCA -> $2-300 Rotel/Marantz...-> Silverline SR-17
On the one hand I think I can give the Panasonic a bit-perfect signal with the optical out. On the other hand there's more flexibility in the amplifier if I go with an standard RCA connection.
Or is there a better solution to getting audio out of a notebook on the cheap? Anything better than an audigy around that price? Thanks.
Audigy ZS -> decent optical out cable-> Panasonic sa-xr55 digital amp -> Silverline SR-17
vs.
Audigy ZS -> decent RCA -> $2-300 Rotel/Marantz...-> Silverline SR-17
On the one hand I think I can give the Panasonic a bit-perfect signal with the optical out. On the other hand there's more flexibility in the amplifier if I go with an standard RCA connection.
Or is there a better solution to getting audio out of a notebook on the cheap? Anything better than an audigy around that price? Thanks.
8 responses Add your response