Help understanding digital input/output

Dinerty

Dinerty

Dinerty

Associate
Joined
1 Feb 2004
Posts
1,826
Hey all

Sound card: Creative Sound Blaster ZxR
Speakers: Edifier S730 2.1

Really dumb question I know, setting up these tomorrow and just wanted to double check I'm doing things correct.

Edifier S730 has "digital in" so I'm guessing my optical cable goes into "optical out" on the sound card?
 
Dinerty said:
Edifier S730 has "digital in" so I'm guessing my optical cable goes into "optical out" on the sound card?
Click to expand...

That is indeed correct.

I wouldn't do that though. Sound quality via a digital cable is something that does not exist. Sound is analogue; optical and coaxial are used to pass digital data, that is converted into sound on the other end of the cable. In short, your nice £200 sound card is just an expensive digital data transport. The Edifier S730 speakers are responsible for the sound quality, not the sound card.

You need to use analogue connection to the speakers in order use what the sound card is capable of.
 
Thanks for your help, you are very good at this sound stuff.

Would there be a noticeable sound difference between optical and analogue?, I think I will definitely be using the analogue though.
 
Yes, well there should be. If there isn't, then the ZxR is not worth £200. The whole point of a high end sound card is the hopefully fantastic sound quality. The S730s have their own built in sound processing. If a £200 sound card doesn't sound any better than that, then you have to wonder why such expensive sound cards exist.
 
Just an update:

Running through my analogue connection now ... and wow the sound is a lot better, just done a bass test with the creative sound software on low volume (Around 9 I believe) nearly felt my heart jump out from my chest!

Just wanted to say thanks Marsman, wouldn't of knew about analogue being better for sound then digital.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom