How to use a AMP in a Pc's Sound System.

Right to help me , and you I will post my complete money situation. (spreadsheet)

Money.

Cash.

£105 Notes
£6 Coins
Sub Total = £111
____________________________________

Halifax Card

£240

Subtotal= £351
____________________________________
Halifax Account
£10

Subtotal=£361

___________________________________
Laptop
£300

Subtotal= £661
____________________________________

Total @ 25/5/2008 = £661

Total @ 29/5/2008 = £688 (Work)


New Bedroom Costs.

New Computer @ £700
New 40" Tv @ £450

Total= £1150

Potential Cash if I work once a week until 12/06/2008 = £755

Difference= £395

Sell Samsung TV @ £150
Halifax Account @ £250

Difference then = 0


So there, I think I was very optimistic stating £450 for a 40" , that will be £500(seen a LG one)

So yeh thats what I have. Now I think I should be able to withdraw a bit more from the halifax account , £100 max however.

With out my Graphic card and Motherboard my total for my computer is £566.

So take what you can from that , regarding the Amp and Speakers.
 
I think the Emu 0404 is pretty cheap, but I'm not sure how this compares to the Asus in terms of price/performance...

I know my emu cost about £70 so not so cheap, but very very good.

Il let others tell the OP about what he could look at getting, I don't know whats good and cheap 2nd hand, sorry.
 
You're going to totally empty all accounts that you have to buy a PC and a TV?

No there not.

I have saved all the cash and what is on the card. The other account is just to dip into slightly.

Out of the £1100 I will spend, £800 will be cash of mine(saved up) and the rest accumulated from Selling stuff and from the other account, if need be.
 
The only reciever based 5.1 setup thats close to your budget would be:

Yamaha - AV Package 61: Yamaha RXV361 Reciver + Yamaha NSP110 Speakers.
A quick froogle should find some results; but I dont have any experience as to whether this is a good package or no.

Now this is off another thread on here. Would these be ok ? Would they be suitable for Music and Films/Tv ? And how loud are they?#
How would you connect them if the Tv is at one end of the room and the Pc is at the other??

Right I am confused. What is the difference between a system like I posted above and one like this , Remembering I will use them for the Pc,Tv(Sky),Xbox 360 also.

SP-021-LG_400.jpg

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-021-LG

What does that Amplifier or Receiver actually do for you? I think I will defiantly get a sound card .
 
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Well. For a pretty good set of speakers that dont require an amp (active) you could get these M-Audio's for £100
http://www.turnkey.co.uk/product/maudio-dx4-active-studio-monitors/
You can plug those straight into your onboard sound, but an aftermarket sound card will produce better quality.

Im currently running a set of Mission Pro SM6P's parrallel to some Heybrook HB1's through an Alesis RA300 amp. But that'll cost you hundreds.
Especially when you factor in the fa-66 soundcard @ ~£200
 
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Those logitechs might be the best cheap and cheerful option. I think they use tang-band drivers for the satellites which are pretty good, but I think the sub won't really go that deep (but at least there is a sub).

They won't be as good as a proper sound system tho (separate amp and speakers).
 
If I were you skeeny I would be very careful in your choice of speakers

Are you primarily a music listener, who wants a bit of volume for tv/dvd or are you a real film lover - which is more important to you?

Reasonably priced 2.1 speakers if you are music lover will always be better than cheap 5.1 setup (the cheap 5.1 can often sound awful for music)

I would initially go with a reasonable stereo amp and speakers using onboard soundcard - this is a good compromise, and you can always save up for a soundcard later which are usually easy to install and will give you a decent upgrade (and relatively cheaply)

If you go for low quality speakers - you have effectively wasted your money and have to replace them with a more expensive option (thereby potentially taking you longer to save up)

If you really want 5.1 for your tv, fair enough, but try and budget at least£150 for them (remember with these computer speakers no additional amp is required as they are part and parcel of the speakers)
 
Skeeny. Just stop a second :)

You need to decide what you want or at least what your priorities are right not. Is it the TV, PC or sound system (or in which combination) as it honestly seems like you don't know. Good work on the spreadsheet however. I get the feeling if your going to get a 40" TV that you will want a 5.1 system, but also, if you have got the 5.1 system setup for the TV, then a 5.1 system won't be setup for the PC gaming unless your using the 40" TV for it? Are you better off just buying a 5.1 system for the TV and a decent pair of headphones for your PC?

I also think you need to do some research into general connectivity as you don't seem to have the basics down yet. I.e. you seems confused about connections needed and what does what.

Which motherboard are you thinking of getting as it may have a reasonable sound chip on there already, thereby saving you money on buying a soundcard. (which make and model of motherboard?)

But seriously, do this on paper (or whatever), plan out where everything is going to be placed in your room first :) It might then help you see that your speakers can't be placed correctly for both your PC and you TV unless you A) A using the same screen B) Plan on moving the speakers every single time to get the positioning correct.

Lastly, if your going to spend money on a 5.1 system then make sure you can position the speakers correctly in the room and at the right heights (or at least towards your head). Will you need to buy speaker stands or perhaps wall mounts as well?

It HONESTLY does not have to be that expensive but you need to make a few decisions first :) Don't waste money by not planning it out properly the first time.

Matthew
p.s. Socket advice: Headphone socket is has enough power to drive headphone speakers but will produce noise in the background if you try and hook it upto an amp // Line out only has enough juice to get the signal through to an amplifier that then it turn uses its own power to drive some speakers (or output to another device). Line out connections have very little background noise. // Optical outputs and digital electric connection (coaxial for example) can also be choices you need to look into.
 
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Right. Thanks a lot for the help, this forum is great for help and I really do appreciate guys :D

I was told by my brother(he is at Uni , studying Music Tech) to sign up to AV forums for advice also. Since then I have been talking to a member on msn. I have decided I am going to save up for a Reciever and a Set of 5.1 Speakers. I have Budgeted £200(A Sony Reciever and a 5.1 set of Yamaha 300W Speakers for £179.99 :D) for them, and I updated the spreadsheet (post it later)

I am starting to pick up the basics in connectivity now(Inputs / Outputs, Optical Inputs etc) And me and this person of AV decided how I could connect them up to a certain Sony amp. We decided we could put the xbox & tv audio in to the Amp togethor IF NEED BE ( Incase we didn't have enough inputs/outputs etc)

Which motherboard are you thinking of getting as it may have a reasonable sound chip on there already, thereby saving you money on buying a soundcard. (which make and model of motherboard?)

I have decided to first of all get the sound system and stick with the onboard sound as this Asus MOBO gives me this

ASUS P5KC AiLifestyle Series iP35

Audio Output ........... Sound card
Audio Coded .......... Realtek ALC883
Sound Output Mode ....... 7.1 channel surround
Compliant Standards ......... High Definition Audio
All Mobo's around my budget seem to give decent enough sound for the time being. But i am still to decide which to buy.(overclocking features , P45 coming out soon etc)

So I will first start with on board sound and then ,if need be, buy a sound card.

But seriously, do this on paper (or whatever), plan out where everything is going to be placed in your room first :) It might then help you see that your speakers can't be placed correctly for both your PC and you TV unless you A) A using the same screen B) Plan on moving the speakers every single time to get the positioning correct.
I measured the room, it is 14ft x 13ft. So its rather square ! I am going to make shelfs my self to put the speakers on , just for them to sit on if you like. If it helps I will take a picture of the room??

Lastly, if your going to spend money on a 5.1 system then make sure you can position the speakers correctly in the room and at the right heights (or at least towards your head). Will you need to buy speaker stands or perhaps wall mounts as well?
Answered partly above. But I think I will be able to place them any where. Picture may help?

Lastly this is my budget(cut all the money bit out) Also, I am getting £90 in the next week as Im working extra at work :D

New Bedroom Costs.

New Computer @ £740
New 40" Tv @ £500
Sound System@ £200

Total= £1440


Potential Cash if I work once a week until 12/06/2008 = £755

Difference= £685

Sell Samsung TV @ £150
Halifax Account(£1100) @ £250
Difference = £285

So I have £285 to find for my dream bedroom. I plan to sell a lot of stuff I don't use , and will not use in the new room. :

iPod Speakers @ £20
Ibanez Guitar Amp @ £30-£40
Decks @ £40
Clothes @ £75
Oasis cd's on ebay @ £50
Total = Around £200 Mark.

And then there is work( @ £27 a Night, I work atleast once a week MOST weeks, sometimes twice a week , like this weekend:D), which I realise I will have to save for the sound system meaning I can save cash from work for them :D
I will get the cash, may take a few weeks for the sound part/tv but I will find it ! I have always been good with Cash so I am confident.
 
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