How To Connect Computer Audio To An A/V Reciever?

Question

Hi everyone, just want to say thanks for everyone who helps millions of viewers with thier problems.


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I have a SB Audigy 2 Sound card ( Here is how it looks)
http://kiskerarak.hu/img/goodies/g12274.jpg

and a Onkyo Ht-R550 Reciever

(Specifications) http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-SR800&p=s&class=Systems

(Image of ports behind reciever)
http://www.onkyousa.com/zoom.cfm?class=Systems&m=HT-SR800#

I was wondering what is the best possible connection i can make to connect the computers audio to my onkyo reciever.

I have a 7.1 setup home theater setup in this room, and i was wondering what cables/ jacks i should use i oreder to get the maximum quality between the two.

Once again, thanks for your help and support. It is much appreciated.

Additional Details

Anyone please?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Depending on the total number of channels (i.e., either 6 or 8,) that you would like to use you have two choices: a single-cable digital interconnection or a multi-cable-bundle analog interconnection. Because you’re using an Audigy 2 card* the digital connection would provide better audio quality however you would be limited to 5.1-channel (e.g., AC-3,) audio. *(With an Audigy 2 card your audio quality will almost certainly benefit by choosing the interconnection method that ultimately minimizes the amount of processing done on the Audigy 2 card, i.e., using the coaxial S/PDIF connection.)

The alternative to a digital connection—and your only option if you want to use all 8 audio channels—is to use Creative’s Sound Blaster Home Theater Cable multi-cable bundle to connect the Audigy 2 card to your HT-R550B A/V receiver in the analog domain.

The next step is to purchase (if you haven’t already done so,) the appropriate cable - either a 75Ω coaxial cable fitted with an RCA connector at each end or Creative’s “Sound Blaster Home Theater Cable.” (Please follow the links below if you’re interested in high quality digital audio cables; though any well-made 75Ω coaxial cable should be sufficient.)

To use the digital connection connect the 75Ω coaxial cable from the audio card’s Digital I/O jack (DIGITAL_IO) to one of the orange color-coded coaxial S/PDIF DIGITAL IN connectors on the back of the HT-R550B A/V receiver. Be sure to configure the settings on both your computer and Onkyo A/V receiver for proper 5.1-channel operation.

Conversely, if you choose to utilize all 8 audio channels then you must connect the Sound Blaster Home Theater Cable from your Audigy 2 card, as indicated in the Creative documentation, to the L and R: FRONT, SURROUND, and SURR BACK, analog audio inputs as well as the single-channel CENTER and SUBWOOFER analog audio inputs on the rear of your HT-R550B A/V receiver. Again, be sure to configure the settings on both your computer and Onkyo A/V receiver for proper 6.1- or 7.1-channel surround sound operation.

For what it’s worth Creative’s Audigy 2 cards are far from the best choice these days when it comes to providing “maximum [audio] quality.” Nearly any of the new sound cards on the market, including Creative’s X-Fi cards, will perform much better than the unpopular Audigy 2 cards.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?…

Sound Blaster Home Theater Cable
http://www.creative.com/products/product…
http://us.creative.com/products/product.…

Digital Audio Cables at Blue Jeans Cable
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digi…
Digital Audio Cable Price List
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digi…
 

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Thanks!

Answer 2

your soundcard won't put out 7.1. if it has a digital optical cable, that is the best way to hook it up. However you are only going to get dolby digital off of it when you are playing something that is encoded in a digital format. so just streaming music won't give you surround sound.

onkyo recievers are nice.