X-fi to 5.1 amp connector?

number41 · 26 Mar 2007 at 18:57

Whats the best method to connect an X-Fi to a 5.1 surround amp (normal hifi one) to obtain surround sound? Does the x-fi need a special optical cable or something? Bought an OEM x-fi and cant figure out how to do it the best way!

Thanks for any advice

Rebelius · 26 Mar 2007 at 19:38

which X-Fi is it and what are the inputs on your Amp?

number41 · 26 Mar 2007 at 21:45

Amp has both digital coaxial and optical and normal analog. X-fi is the xtreme version so the cheap one!

number41 · 26 Mar 2007 at 22:09

Double post

Rebelius · 26 Mar 2007 at 22:52

can't you just connect the 3 stereo jacks on the x-fi to the analog inputs on the amp then?

Uriel · 27 Mar 2007 at 09:57

If your amp accepts 6 channel analogue go with that. If you only have optical or coax connections it gets a bit more complicated. The X-Fi doesn't encode Dolby Digital or DTX - it can only decode or pass through the signals. Unless it's passing through a signal it can only do stereo on an optical or coax output.

Passing through is for pre-encoded content such as a DVD. You set the X-Fi to pass through the signal and it will be decoded by your amp. This doesn't work for games though.

If your amp only has the digital connections then you have a few options. One is use the amp in stereo mode for everything but films and have full 5.1 in them. (no good for surround sound gaming).

Another option is to keep the X-Fi using analogue output and use a separate encoder. I only know of one that isn't ridiculously expensive which is Creative Labs' Home Theatre Connect DTS-610 (not sold on OCUK and AFAIK only available from the manufacturer - if anyone knows of an alternative please post as I'm thinking of getting one myself). To use this, your amp needs to be able to decode DTS (look for the logo).

The last option would be to change your soundcard to one that supports Dolby Digital Live or DTS connect. These encode Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 in realtime and output a 5.1 signal over optical or coax. Creative do not currently have a soundcard that does this and have no plans to release one AFAIK. The X-Meridian or Razer Barracuda (available on OCUK) do support these features. Bear in mind that non-Creative cards only support up to EAX2 so there are a few nice in game audio effects that you'd be missing out on.