PC to 5.1 through amp - Help please

monkeypants · 21 Aug 2006 at 19:38

Right, I have got myself 5 speakers, a sub, and an amp which I want to connect to my PC as it's my media centre. However - my sound card (Audigy 2) only has 3 analogue outputs (I think, I have no idea what they do, I just put colour to colour) a mic-in and a digital out (and firewire). The amp has six inputs (sub, centre, FR, FL, RR, RL) so how do I get the 3 soundcard connections to the six amp connections for some delicious true (as possible, I understand "true" may not be possible) 5.1 surround sound.

Thanks!

Dr.EM · 21 Aug 2006 at 20:10

You probably need 3 sets of 3.5mm minijack to 2 x phono leads, the type you'd use to connect an ipod to a hi-fi. Use one on the green front out socket, connect the red phono to the FR socket on the amp, the white to the FL. Then the black rear outputs, the red to the RR, white to the RL on the amp. With the yellow socket, i'm not sure if the sub comes to the red or white phono but I will try to find out for you. It this isn't too clear, I could post a diagram.

monkeypants · 21 Aug 2006 at 20:26

I understand that

Is the front centre on the same cable as the sub?

tom_nieto · 21 Aug 2006 at 21:45

Exactly right.

monkeypants · 21 Aug 2006 at 22:24

Thankyou

Now to find 3 3.5mm to 2x phono cables. Also, will doing this affect the sound quality? It wouldn't have mattered on the Creative speakers I have now, but I'm not sure about this "new" (old, but new to me) stuff.

Dr.EM · 22 Aug 2006 at 08:21

The sound quality should be quite reasonable, I use that card with my Hi-Fi

. most electrical shops stock the cables aswell as many online stores, unfortunately they will be competitors so I can't list them but you shouldn't have a problem finding some. One note though, the 3.5mm plugs can be quite bulky on this type of cable, and this means that 2 right next to each other won't fit into the souncard properly (mine wouldn't, luckily I only use stereo). Try to find the slimmest plugs you can, mabye where the cable split is in-line rather than in the plug, I think ixos made a fairly small one.

I'm still not sure whether the sub comes to the white or red phono, it depends on creatives arrangement and isn't a standard connection. I could probably do a test, running the woman that says "centre channel" and seeing which plug the signal arrives at :confused:

tom_nieto · 22 Aug 2006 at 09:48

Dr.EM said:
The sound quality should be quite reasonable, I use that card with my Hi-Fi . most electrical shops stock the cables aswell as many online stores, unfortunately they will be competitors so I can't list them but you shouldn't have a problem finding some. One note though, the 3.5mm plugs can be quite bulky on this type of cable, and this means that 2 right next to each other won't fit into the souncard properly (mine wouldn't, luckily I only use stereo). Try to find the slimmest plugs you can, mabye where the cable split is in-line rather than in the plug, I think ixos made a fairly small one.

Great advice! Some of the high quality brands just don't allow for this sort of conection.

The Audigy 2 should sound fine through analogue. The onboard sound you might pick up some buzzing and crackling, but that's not a problem for you.

plum · 28 Aug 2006 at 12:26

How about the Sound Blaster® Home Cinema Cables ?

not sure if i can link to creative, so i have included the info from the site below.

Sound Blaster surround and home cinema power – an incredible combination!

Creative’s Sound Blaster Home Cinema Cable delivers incredible Sound Blaster surround on home cinema systems. With its eight RCA connectors it’s compatible with any home cinema amplifier that supports 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 surround audio, and connects simply to the three minijack outputs on a Sound Blaster card. For a Sound Blaster powered home cinema experience, it’s a great choice!

they are available direct from creative for about £11

hope it helps you