Sound card Vs AV reciever?

craigxt22

craigxt22

craigxt22

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23 Dec 2009
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302
Hi guys,

Before I start, I'm aware a sound card won't give me amplification!

I was wondering how well an onboard sound card can process 5.1 audio in comparison to an AV receiver? This is for watching films.

I'm beginning to think I should use a sound card as I don't need the amplification given from an AV receiver (I have 2 stereo amps).

Thanks if you can help
 
Depends how the AV receiver is connected. If using analogue connection, then the on-board audio is doing the processing, and likely will not be as good, as the AV receiver doing it. If you connect with SPDIF, then you are bypassing the on-board audio, and sending digital data direct to the AV receiver to process.

If you compare a sound card to an AV receiver, then the sound card will likely have better sound processing, unless it's a more expensive AV receiver. Would need to connect via analogue though, to make use of the sound cards processing of data into audio.
 
Cool.

I would use analogue connections as I have stereo amps. They're both fairly decent, so I'm trying to get the most out of them!

Would you think spending some cash on a sound card is worthwhile in my situation?
 
Which AV receiver? I personally run my onkyo 506 via coax from the HTPC as while the soundcard is nice, the amp auto detects the specific audio formats so i get the DTS and DD5.1 processing, it's less cabling and in comparison to my x-fi gamer, sounds better.
 
You mean getting 5.1 without buying an AV receiver? PC speakers that use analogue connection, or something like Logitech Z5500 speakers, which can use either analogue or digital connection. I'm guessing though, what you have currently, offers much better sound quality. If you are looking for 5.1, then really, an AV receiver is the best way to go about it, unless you are willing to sacrifice a drop in sound quality from what you are using ATM.

I suppose technically, there is another to go about it. Use 1 stereo amp for the left/right, a 2nd stereo amp for the left/right rears. An amplifier to which you would connect a centre speaker, and an active subwoofer. Both would be connected to the centre/sub connection on the sound card, just 1 channel to the amp for the centre, and the other channel to the sub. Might not be the best way to go about it though.
 
Marsman said:
I suppose technically, there is another to go about it. Use 1 stereo amp for the left/right, a 2nd stereo amp for the left/right rears. An amplifier to which you would connect a centre speaker, and an active subwoofer. Both would be connected to the centre/sub connection on the sound card, just 1 channel to the amp for the centre, and the other channel to the sub. Might not be the best way to go about it though.
Click to expand...

That is about the best way to go about it actually. When spending massive amounts a pre/power amplifier system is what you'll be looking at.

What are you going to be using the system for? 5.1 isn't neccessary and in most cases hinders music reproduction so a stereo system would be better for that. If you look at say £350 for an AV receiver you'd have better onboard processing than a pc soundcard. You'd also have the benefits of all the amplification in a single unit and more beneficial things like sound calibration (audyssey) built into the amp. Correcting for room characteristics often yields much better results than spending more on processing ability.

If you're going second hand you can pick up a unit like mine that is a couple of years old which will have the remote, all major audio formats, remote control and room calibration as well as the amplification for all channels, not just 4. This should set you back about £100-130, the same price as decent soundcards anyway.
 
Marsman said:
You mean getting 5.1 without buying an AV receiver? PC speakers that use analogue connection, or something like Logitech Z5500 speakers, which can use either analogue or digital connection. I'm guessing though, what you have currently, offers much better sound quality. If you are looking for 5.1, then really, an AV receiver is the best way to go about it, unless you are willing to sacrifice a drop in sound quality from what you are using ATM.

I suppose technically, there is another to go about it. Use 1 stereo amp for the left/right, a 2nd stereo amp for the left/right rears. An amplifier to which you would connect a centre speaker, and an active subwoofer. Both would be connected to the centre/sub connection on the sound card, just 1 channel to the amp for the centre, and the other channel to the sub. Might not be the best way to go about it though.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd rather not buy PC speakers. Like you mentioned, I have a better quality Hi Fi system (my amp + speakers + sub = worth around 2k).


krisboats said:
That is about the best way to go about it actually. When spending massive amounts a pre/power amplifier system is what you'll be looking at.

What are you going to be using the system for? 5.1 isn't neccessary and in most cases hinders music reproduction so a stereo system would be better for that. If you look at say £350 for an AV receiver you'd have better onboard processing than a pc soundcard. You'd also have the benefits of all the amplification in a single unit and more beneficial things like sound calibration (audyssey) built into the amp. Correcting for room characteristics often yields much better results than spending more on processing ability.

If you're going second hand you can pick up a unit like mine that is a couple of years old which will have the remote, all major audio formats, remote control and room calibration as well as the amplification for all channels, not just 4. This should set you back about £100-130, the same price as decent soundcards anyway.
Click to expand...

I'd like it for movies.
I'm just trying to get the most out of my current 2 channel Hi Fi system. I've spent quite a bit of money on my stereo amp, so I'm reluctant to spend more money on amplification.

I think its best I just save for an AV receiver lol!
 
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